BMG Expands TikTok Collaboration
BMG’s gone and done it again—renewed and expanded its music publishing agreement with TikTok. This isn’t just a simple contract renewal; it’s a deeper collaboration aimed at modernizing digital rights and boosting value for songwriters. You can bet BMG’s making sure they have the tools to keep up in this social-first world.
Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s global head of music business development, sees it clearly. “BMG truly understands the power of TikTok,” she says. “They embrace innovation and work with us to strengthen rights management.” This partnership is about trust and momentum, and they’re both on a mission to drive growth for the songwriters who fuel music discovery on TikTok.
Advertisement
Celine Joshua, BMG’s global marketing and streaming EVP, emphasizes the importance of building partnerships that elevate songwriting in this ever-evolving music economy. They’re not just aiming to protect rights but also to ensure creators get their due. And let’s be real—it’s about time.
UMPG Signs The Warning
Meanwhile, Universal Music Publishing Group is all in with The Warning, a rock trio from Monterrey made up of sisters Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra Villarreal. Ana Rosa Santiago, UMPG’s SVP of A&R for Latin music, made it clear: “The Warning represents the strength and creativity of a new generation of rock.” These sisters burst onto the scene back in 2014 with a Metallica cover that racked up over 26 million streams. Since then, they’ve consistently been raising the bar.
Their latest album, Keep Me Fed, even snagged a Latin Grammy nod for Best Rock Song. They’ve shared stages with heavyweights like Guns N’ Roses and Foo Fighters. This isn’t just another deal; it’s a testament to the evolving rock landscape.
New Signings and Global Growth
On another front, Prescription Songs has snapped up Eight9FLY, a UK-based artist known for his work in Afrobeats, R&B, and beyond. This guy’s not just any songwriter; he’s contributed to tracks for big names like WizKid and KAYTRANADA. Eight9FLY said it best: “This partnership is a blessing and a huge opportunity.” Let’s see if he can ride this wave of momentum.
In a broader sense, the independent music publishing world is seeing significant growth. Independent publishers generated 2.7 billion euros globally in 2024—a 5.1% year-over-year increase. That’s a robust share of the global market, and it’s driven largely by digital income. Europe is still the heavyweight champion in this arena, raking in over 6.4 billion euros. But challenges remain, especially with royalty distribution and the rising threat of AI-generated music.
ICMP welcomed Believe Music Publishing as a new member, adding to their ranks for advocacy and support across the globe. This move is crucial as more players join the fight for fair representation in this turbulent industry.
And if you want to dive deeper into the world of music publishing, check out the resources available at ICMP. They’re working tirelessly to tackle industry challenges and better serve songwriters. It’s about time someone did.
