NIVA Shares 2023 Convention Particulars; Wixen Publishing Faucets Jon Pikus

The Nationwide Impartial Venue Affiliation can be internet hosting its second annual convention on July 10 – 12 in Washington, D.C.

Keynote panels will characteristic outstanding business leaders, members of the media, recording artists, and NIVA members discussing subjects starting from business range, psychological well being, the financial influence of dwell leisure, reserving, artist improvement, ticketing and extra.

The 2023 version of the convention additionally guarantees to offer members the chance to interact with NIVA’s federal and nationwide companions on Capitol Hill, within the Administration, and all through the Capitol area. There will even be a slate of dwell performances, a pre-party, and an awards gala, all set to happen in venues throughout D.C.

“In welcoming the NIVA convention to the District, we look ahead to showcasing the impartial venues and creatives who hold D.C. the capital of creativity,” stated Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser in an announcement. “And we now have so much to be happy with – from our vibrant Go Go scene, to the venues which have hosted and constructed generations of music followers, to the festivals that convey Washingtonians collectively yr after yr. D.C. residents love going to festivals and exhibits and supporting artists, and we all know the necessary position our artistic group will proceed to play in D.C.’s comeback. We look ahead to bringing NIVA members and business consultants collectively in D.C., and we’ll see you in July.”

Programming particulars can be introduced at a later date. Registration info might be discovered right here.

+ Jon Pikus has been named VP A&R/enterprise improvement at Wixen Music Publishing. In his new place, the Los Angeles-based Pikus is tasked with signing new artists, songwriters, producers and catalogs to Wixen’s consumer roster. He’ll additionally serve in an A&R capability organising collaborations and co-write classes for the present roster.

Wixen’s publishing roster embrace music by Tom Petty, Weezer, the Black Keys, George Clinton, Rage Towards The Machine, the Doorways, Missy Elliott, Rick James, Jefferson Airplane and Rancid.

Pikus has beforehand held A&R positions at Columbia Data, Interscope Data, MySpace Data, Lava Data and Imagem Music Publishing. He began out as a drummer and producer of rock bands, working with the likes of Weezer, Loopy City, the Ataris, Anna Nalick, Pennywise, Christina Milian and Hollywood Undead.

He’ll report back to Wixen President/CEO Randall Wixen, CFO/COO Andrew Wixen and CTO/EVP Jason Rys.

“I need to thank Randall, Andrew and Jason for this nice alternative to assist them selectively develop their roster,” stated Pikus. “I look ahead to reconnecting with all of my longtime associates within the music business.”

Added Andrew Wixen: “Jon is that uncommon breed of artistic who has been on a number of sides of the proverbial fence, so he can authentically relate in any state of affairs, to artists, writers and producers, and to managers, attorneys and executives. We’re excited to work with the brand new purchasers he’ll herald.”

+ Steve Cooper, former CEO of Warner Music Group and MGM, has joined the board of administrators of Web3 firm OneOf. The four-year-old firm operates within the blockchain and Web3 know-how area with purchasers that embrace WMG, Courageous and Uber. It additionally boasts a consumer-facing Web3 market, OneOf.com, which trades in digital collectibles from the likes of Doja Cat, the Infamous B.I.G., Whitney Houston, Muhammad Ali and Wayne Gretsky, in addition to manufacturers like Sports activities Illustrated, American Specific, Anheuser-Busch, JBL, Harman Kardon, Gatorade and Snapple.

Cooper served as WMG’s chief government from 2011 to earlier this yr. He beforehand held the CEO title at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., Hawaiian Telcom, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Enron Company.

“I’m enthusiastic about how know-how can reshape the way forward for music, leisure and enterprise fashions for a lot of industries,” stated Cooper. “OneOf has a stellar workforce and deep experience in offering subsequent technology Web3 know-how to enterprises and types.”

Added OneOf founder/CEO Lin Dai: “We’re thrilled to welcome Steve to hitch our board and management workforce. Web3 will revolutionize how manufacturers join with the shoppers of the long run. Steve’s experience throughout music, leisure, and client manufacturers is the right addition to OneOf’s management workforce. Together with his steerage, we look ahead to advancing our mission to decrease the obstacles to entry into Web3 for enterprises and shoppers alike.”

+ Arista Data has signed BUNT. to a brand new deal in partnership with Columbia Data UK and Epic Data Germany.

The German-bred artist’s newest single, “Clouds,” has reached the highest 15 of Billboard’s Scorching Dance/Digital songs chart all because of his natural advertising technique spurred by a viral TikTok submit. The budding DJ/multi-instrumentalist is repped by Nick Groff for administration and lawyer Lisa Lester.

“Levi [BUNT.] has actually impressed me with the depth of nice data he has coming. BUNT. has the capability to be a real international artist,” commented Arista Data president and C.E.O. David Massey in a press launch.

+ Outback Presents has employed Jason Miller because the dwell leisure promoter’s normal supervisor of the North East division. Miller will service artists and assist develop the foundational construction of the enterprise.

With greater than 30 years of music business expertise beneath his belt, Miller fulfills his new position after a stint with Reside Nation Leisure as the corporate’s senior VP, president and government VP. Miller has produced occasions throughout the U.S. in venues together with Madison Sq. Backyard, Barclays Heart, Prudential Heart, Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and Citi Area, to call a couple of.

“This can be a great second for me personally and professionally,” Miller says. “The brand new place permits me to return to my artistic roots and impartial spirit. I’m proud to have the ability to proceed working with world-class artists and occasions.”

Miller is the most recent addition to a quickly rising Outback workforce whose latest hires embrace Everett Ramsey and Hardy McBee previously of Beaver Productions and Fallon Nell returning to Outback after runs in each artist administration and Belmont College.

+ Zync (Spherical Hill Music) has superior 4 of its executives to new posts, as introduced as we speak by Chief Inventive Officer, Marisa Baldi.

Madison Norris has moved to the position of government VP of artistic operations; Kelly Ross strikes to VP head of artistic licensing and publishing; Becca Luce to senior director of movie and tv/artistic publishing; and Steve Nalbert fills the position of VP of sync licensing and digital.

Provides Baldi, “[Madison’s] wealth of expertise, management abilities and wealthy community of relationships have led not solely to numerous promoting placements for Zync/Spherical Hill Music but in addition contributed considerably to our signing and improvement of recent artists and writers. Kelly is a dynamic deal-maker and problem-solver, with impeccable enterprise instincts, communication abilities, and a focus to element. I couldn’t be extra delighted to see her proceed to thrive right here at Zync/Spherical Hill and tackle much more management of the workforce.”

She continues, “Becca has made nice strides in figuring out, securing, and creating expertise, in addition to including worth to our superb catalog throughout her time at Zync/RHM…Steve has been instrumental in sustaining an extremely excessive stage of well-informed service to the licensing group all through our development.”

+ Madisenxoxo has signed to Pack Data and is completely managed by Roadcase Administration, a brand new firm fashioned late final yr by Coronary heart’s Nancy Wilson alongside together with her husband, music business vet Geoff Bywater.

“After so a few years of being an artist on this enterprise, I’d love to make use of my expertise to assist elevate different proficient and deserving musicians,” stated Wilson in an announcement explaining her want to domesticate new expertise. “I used to be launched to Madisenxoxo’s music and fell in love. We had been speaking for fairly a while about forming a administration firm and this appeared like the right time to launch Highway Case Administration with Madisenxoxo as our first artist!”

Tuesday, Feb. 14

+ Evan Bogart’s Seeker Music has acquired Christopher Cross’ full masters and publishing catalog.

“I’ve been a Christopher Cross fan going again to once I was a child – I grew up round, and listening to, so a lot of his contemporaries,” Bogart commented. “He’s an absolute legend!! I’m so proud to have the chance to hold his legacy ahead and of what we’ve already been in a position to do together with his catalog, and can proceed to do that yr to maintain introducing music followers to Chris’s unbelievable songs, and timeless songwriting.”

To have a good time, Seeker is plotting a yearlong marketing campaign to commemorate Cross’ musical legacy, which began final week with a particular reissue of Cross’ sophomore album “One other Web page” for its fortieth anniversary in spatial audio. They’re moreover planning nationwide occasions that can happen this spring and summer time, together with remastered releases and a yearlong remix marketing campaign.

“Seeker solely invests in catalogs and songs that Bogart and his workforce are extremely enthusiastic about, real private followers of, and for which they see intrinsic artistic and strategic alternatives,” concluded the press launch.

+ Affect Media has acquired a majority of the music publishing rights of Harry Types collaborator Tyler Johnson.

The funding spans titles created by Johnson between 2012 and 2020, which incorporates a lot of the songs he both co-wrote or co-produced from Types’ early solo discography in addition to songs recorded by Sam Smith, Diplo, Keith City, Miley Cyrus and John Legend. Notably, Johnson’s work on Types’ “Harry’s Home,” is just not included on this partnership.

“It has been a pleasure working with the trusted workforce at Affect Media on my track catalog,” stated Johnson in an announcement. “These songs are crucial to me and I really feel our deal displays the worth of this catalog that I’ve constructed over the past 10 years.”

The music rights platform, which is partnered with BlackRock and Warner Music Group, says the collaboration got here as a part of its funding technique constructed on “trendy evergreens,” which means songs or musicians with “robust potential for long-term influence on popular culture.”

Johnson’s work on Types’ newest 2022 file “Harry’s Home” earned the pair a 2023 Grammy award for album of the yr alongside collaborator Child Harpoon. Each Johnson and Harpoon have been honored as songwriters of the yr for Selection‘s 2023 Hitmakers concern.

+ Timbaland and music supervisor Gary Marella‘s Beatclub Inc. has entered a brand new partnership with Hipgnosis Music Administration that can enable Beatclub’s roster of producers and artists (Justin Timberlake, Tainy, J. Cole, Mike Dean and Mike WiLL Made-It, to call a couple of) the flexibility to pattern songs from the Hipgnosis catalog. The deal additionally consists of an funding from Hipgnosis, as a part of Beatclub’s collection A-2 funding spherical.

“Merck is a disruptor who has turned the music enterprise the other way up on its head,” stated Timbaland in a press launch. “His imaginative and prescient of the way forward for the music creator economic system aligns intently with Beatclub’s and I couldn’t be happier that we are able to now name him a associate.”

Beatclub will even assist Hipgnosis in securing further sync alternatives for placement in movie, tv, promoting, and gaming.

Added Merck Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis: “I like what [Timbaland], Gary and the Beatclub workforce are constructing and at a time when interpolation and sampling has by no means been a extra necessary a part of creation and success I would like the best creators on this planet to have entry to our incomparable songs to make them the hits not solely of the previous however the future as effectively!”

+ Jamaica-born and Miami-based songwriter Masicka has signed to Def Jam Recordings. The announcement got here Tuesday alongside a brand new monitor and video for “Items” feat. Jahshii.

“​​‘Items’ is a track of triumph. It’s a celebration of what you could have labored laborious for and motivates the listeners to maintain going. You can be victorious” says Masicka. “The track touches on overcoming challenges and obstacles you face alongside the best way, as we navigate via this factor referred to as life. The challenges you’re confronted with make you stronger. They mould you right into a warrior. The warrior which is required to achieve success.”

“Def Jam has all the time been the house for excellent artists throughout the extensive spectrum of Black music, and Masicka could be very a lot emblematic of that imaginative and prescient,” stated Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. “Representing the brand new wave of Jamaican dancehall and reggae, Masicka’s versatility and distinctive sonic perspective has the potential to influence markets everywhere in the world. It looks like the start of one thing very particular. We’re excited to welcome him to our Def Jam household.”

+ Disney Music Group (DMG) and Andscape have struck a world take care of Good Firm Data, a brand new file label created by Oscar and Grammy-winning producer and songwriter D’Mile (Janet Jackson, Silk Sonic, Mary J. Blige), music exec Natalie Prospere and Grammy-winning audio engineer, John Kercy (Fortunate Daye, Lil Wayne, Normani). The deal was introduced Tuesday by Mio Vukovic, DMG’s head of artistic and President Ken Bunt, together with Raina Kelley, Andscape’s VP and editor-in-chief.

Along with signing and creating artists, Good Firm can be concerned in a myriad of tasks with different Andscape models. The primary is the upcoming Andscape documentary, “Shyne,” a movie in regards to the life and transformation of the hip-hop artist who began as a member of Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ Unhealthy Boy file label to a statesman within the Belize Home of Representatives.

Provides Kelley, “D’Mile, Natalie and John are particular people – every true to Andscape’s imaginative and prescient; deep and dimensional multi-hyphenate storytellers – we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Andscape household. This unbelievable partnership vaults ahead Andscape’s evolution as a content material creator throughout The Walt Disney Firm.

+ Artist and model improvement firm Iconoclast has acquired the catalog of Mad Respectable Publishing, which was co-founded by DJ-producer Diplo and Kevin Kusastsu. The catalog consists of such songs as Baauer’s viral smash “Harlem Shake” and Main Lazer’s “Lean On,” which was at one time Spotify’s most streamed track of all time, in addition to that group’s songs “Chilly Water (ft. Justin Bieber and MØ)” and “Know No Higher” (ft. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, and Quavo) and stakes in Panic! on the Disco’s hit “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”, Mark Ronson’s “Nothing Breaks Like A Coronary heart” (ft. Miley Cyrus)” and Sia’s “Elastic Coronary heart” and “Thunderclouds.”

“I first turned conscious of Mad Respectable when Kevin Kusatsu and Diplo have been engaged on the primary Main Lazer album,” says Olivier Chastan, founder & CEO of Iconoclast. “Our acquisition of the Mad Respectable Publishing catalog illustrates our dedication to preserving and rising culturally vital artwork of any period together with with artists which might be shaping up to date music.”

Scott McDowell and Peter Paterno of King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano, LLP represented Iconoclast, and Jordan Bromley, Eric Custer and Alex Spring of Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLP represented Mad Respectable Publishing within the transaction.

+ What’s in a reputation? A lot, a minimum of to Sean a.ok.a. Puff Daddy a.ok.a. P. Diddy a.ok.a. Diddy a.ok.a. Love Combs, who has formally rebranded his firm from Combs Enterprises to Combs International.

At its founding in 2013, Combs International began with Unhealthy Boy Leisure, Combs Spirits (Cîroc Vodka, DeLeón Tequila), AQUAhydrate, Revolt Media, Sean John, Capital Preparatory Constitution Faculties, and the Sean Combs Basis. Since then, it has expanded to incorporate new enterprise models and ventures reminiscent of Empower International formally Store Flow into, Our Honest Share, Love Data, and into Hashish.

“Combs International represents the following chapter in my journey as a enterprise chief and an even bigger imaginative and prescient to construct the biggest portfolio of main Black-owned manufacturers on this planet,” stated Combs. “I’ve enlisted world-class groups of prime executives, specialists and strategic companions to convey this new dream to life and put us in the perfect place to maintain making historical past whereas main one other 30 years of dominance throughout industries.”

The rebrand additionally features a redesign for the web site, social channels, and model communications, together with a brand new emblem that was unveiled through the Uber One Tremendous Bowl business.

+ Brandon Silverstein Publishing and Ryan Tedder’s Patriot Publishing introduced a publishing take care of Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, vocal producer and blend engineer Marty Rod, aka Marty MARO, whose credit embrace work with Selena Gomez, DJ Snake, John Legend, Anitta and Bastille, amongst others.

“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to observe Marty work within the studio and I’ve seen how he’s in a position to assist artists create their finest work,’ stated Silverstein, whose roster consists of Justin Bieber collaborator HARV, Jamaica’s Shenseea, the Child LAROI collaborator Cxdy and producer Declan Hoy, amongst others.

Added Tedder: “Marty’s a beast with an insatiable work ethic. He’s a particularly gifted producer and topliner, and I hope to have him a part of the household for years to return.”

“I’m extraordinarily excited to be becoming a member of forces with Ryan and Brandon on this new chapter of my profession,” stated Marty MARO. “They’re each two forces of nature within the enterprise and their perception in my imaginative and prescient and musical capability, together with their expertise and international attain looks like the right mixture for me. Collectively we’ve already achieved some main accomplishments, and I consider the way forward for my profession is in nice fingers.”

+ Sony Music Publishing has prolonged its international publishing administration partnership with Bread founder, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David Gates and his publishing automobile, Kipahulu Music Co. The deal covers such iconic hits as “If,” “The whole lot I Personal,” “It Don’t Matter To Me,” “Child I’m-A Need You” and “Make It With You,” amongst others.

Gates penned a number of chart-topping songs starting within the Nineteen Sixties. His credit embrace music recorded by the Monkees, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin and Merle Haggard.

“We’re excited for this subsequent chapter with Sony,” stated Lorilee Gates. “Dad’s signature melodies constantly make their manner into properties and ears yr after yr, be it through massive streamers, movie and TV or good old style radio. With out fail, Bread continues to pop up someplace in on a regular basis life. It’s Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton speaking about Bread on ‘The Voice’ or Ricky Gervais tweeting about listening to Bread while penning jokes for his ultimate Golden Globes internet hosting look. Bread is a part of the cultural material – it’s handed on by technology, and it’s completely fantastic.”

Added Audrey Ashby, Sony Music Publishing SVP of enterprise affairs and catalog: “I’m actually completely happy we’re strengthening SMP’s relationship with Mr. Gates, a legendary artist and musician. Mr. Gates’s heartwarming songs will enrich lives for generations to return and we look ahead to supporting his songwriting legacy.”

Monday, Feb. 13

+ Philippines-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-producer Eyedress has signed with RCA Data and dropped a brand new, Valentine’s Day-themed single, “Flowers & Chocolate,” the label introduced as we speak (Feb. 13).

The track’s accompanying music video, directed by Eddie Huang (creator of “Contemporary Off the Boat: A Memoir” and director/author of the upcoming movie “Tuna Soften,” starring SZA and Chloe Cherry), finds Eyedress cruising round Los Angeles in a pink convertible crammed with flowers as he rushes house to impress his associate.

Eyedress has moved between a large number of musical kinds since his 2019 breakthrough single “Jealous,” which has been licensed platinum by the RIAA. Final yr, he made his Coachella debut and launched his “Full Time Lover” album, which featured the Neptunes’ Chad Hugo and received a remix from Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine on the track “Home of Playing cards.”

+ New York-based PR agency the Chamber Group has promoted Lydia Kanuga to VP of media relations, principal/founder Chris Chambers introduced as we speak.

In her new position Kanuga can be answerable for creating and executing publicity and public relations methods for her consumer roster, which presently consists of Usher, the Property of Michael Jackson, Mass Attraction, King Combs, Jozzy, Toni Braxton, and others. She is predicated in New York and can report on to Chambers.

Kanuga first joined Chamber Group final February after two years as head of PR and company communications at Doug Morris’ 12Tone Music, the place she labored intently with Anderson .Paak, 88rising, Lauren Daigle, Illenium and others. Beforehand she spent 4 years at Def Jam Recordings, Columbia Data and indie PR corporations.

“I’m excited to have a seasoned government reminiscent of Lydia working alongside me at TCG overseeing the leisure division.  Lydia is passionate and sincere in her work fashion and it’s what makes her a proficient publicist and chief. I look ahead to this journey we’re about to embark on,” stated Chambers.

+ Extremely Worldwide Music Publishing has introduced an enlargement of its Afrobeat operations and a brand new artistic hub in Nigeria. To have a good time, the corporate hosted a writing camp in the nation’s capital, Lagos, in partnership with Estlon Music.

The three-day camp noticed over 20 younger producers collaborating, together with Burna Boy producers Chopstiix and Leriq, alongside writers and artists reminiscent of Bloody Civilian (Def Jam), Amexin, Shorae Moore, and songwriters reminiscent of  Naya Akanji (Aristokat) and guitarist Effeh Jazz, amongst others. The music written on the camp will contribute to a showcase mixtape beneath the title “Sonic Rares.” The corporate’s efforts within the area have been overseen by head of North American A&R Andreas Rizek and consists of such signings as Tejiri Akpoghene, who final week gained a Grammy for Finest Melodic Rap Efficiency for his work on Future’s “Wait For U,” Maesu and Amexin. Extremely has appointed its London primarily based A&R supervisor Harold Serero to supervise the event of its African operations.

Patrick Moxey, Founder and CEO of Extremely Music Publishing stated, “Now we have been concerned within the signing and improvement of African songwriters and producers for a while and this new announcement of a artistic hub in Lagos the place we may also help nurture the unbelievable expertise popping out of West Africa can be a key focus for our artistic workforce transferring ahead.”

+ Irving Azoff, Garth Brooks, government chairman and CEO of Madison Sq. Backyard Leisure Corp. James Dolan and former Assistant Lawyer Basic for the US Division of Justice Antitrust Division Makan Delrahim will keynote a panel on ticketing at subsequent week’s Pollstar Reside! Convention. Scheduled for Feb. 22 a 9:45 a.m., the dialogue — titled “Ticketing Actual Speak: Reforms, Resolutions and Dangers” — guarantees to go deep on points regarding ticketing, transparency, an out-of-control secondary market, and accessibility, and affordability for followers.

For more information, and a full schedule of classes, head to the Pollstar Reside! web site.

+ Lou Al-Chamaa has been named SVP, head of A&R publishing at Avex USA. Al-Chamaa not too long ago signed hitmaker Jasper Harris to Avex USA’s rising publishing division, which incorporates such writers as J. Que (Joji’s “Die For You”) and, via a three way partnership with Brandon Silverstein Publishing, Justin Bieber collaborator HARV, Jamaica’s Shenseea, the Child LAROI collaborator Cxdy and producer Declan Hoy, amongst others.

Al-Chamaa beforehand served as VP of A&R at Sony Music Publishing the place he signed and labored with such writers and artists as Mike Posner, Fortunate Daye, Daniel Caesar, Khalid, Louis Bell and Tori Kelly, amongst others, and was the A&R for Noah Cyrus for her “July” / “Finish Of The whole lot” EP. He additionally labored as an government catalog marketing consultant, sourcing and advising on the acquisitions of publishing catalogs by Calvin Harris, Sean Douglas, Ricky Reed (Lizzo/Maroon 5), Geoff Warburton and extra.

“I’m very excited at becoming a member of the Avex USA workforce who’re positioned to make a huge effect within the international music scene,” stated Al-Chamaa. “Avex is a particularly artist and song-writer centered, forward-thinking publishing and music firm. I’m wanting ahead to bringing my expertise to assist assist Avex’s imaginative and prescient and be a part of our companions’ and purchasers’ continued development and success.”

Added Naoki Osada, CEO of Avex USA: “We’re very excited for Lou to hitch our rising publishing workforce. He has in depth publishing expertise and his unbelievable power and keenness for working with creatives make him the right match for our Avex USA household.”