Jody Gerson: Last News

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicWhen Israeli singer Mergui took the stage at the Sun Rose in Los Angeles on Thursday night, it was clear the 22-year-old has some big-time backers in his corner. Chief among them: Haim Saban, the veteran businessman, philanthropist, owner of the Power Rangers IP and label head, who launched Saban Music Group in 2019, and was seated front and center (doubly-masked and wearing surgical gloves) to cheer on his latest signing.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThere’s no question: As challenging as the music industry can be for men, it’s twice as tough for women.That was one of the many takeaways from a panel discussion involving Grammy-winning songwriter Autumn Rowe (Jon Batiste’s “We Are,” Dua Lipa, Ava Max) and top music publishers Jody Gerson (chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing), Golnar Khosrowshahi (founder/president of Reservoir) and Carianne Marshall (co-chair/COO of Warner Chappell Music) at a panel discussion during the National Music Publishers Association’s annual meeting on Wednesday.While the four all had different paths to the roles they’re in today, they all faced similar challenges and obstacles, namely sexism, a lack of allies, achieving a work-life balance, and most ominously of all, dangerous situations. Rowe (pictured above, second from left), who said that she worked as a songwriter for 12 years before she got a significant paycheck — a sadly common situation — also said that she has encountered multiple writing sessions that were “unsafe.” When moderator, Danielle Aguirre, NMPA EVP and general counsel, asked if she would feel safer with even just one more woman in the room, Rowe said she would.

APPOINTMENTSUniversal Music Publishing has hired Cristina Chavez as VP A&R. “I am THRILLED to be joining UMPG and its exceptional A&R team”, she says. “[CEO] Jody Gerson and [Head Of US A&R] David Gray are such respected publishing leaders, and I knew from our early conversations that this is where I am supposed to be.

Universal Music Publishing has signed Dave Bayley of Glass Animals to a global publishing deal.“There’s so much I want to learn and so much music I want to make in so many different areas – from Glass Animals records, to pop songwriting, to experimental sound design, to scoring”, says Bayley.“When it came time to re-sign my publishing, there were so many wonderful people, ideas and opportunities around that I began to feel a bit lost”, he adds, “but Universal Music Publishing and the incredible team of people there had drawn a long and clear path for me through those ideas… it just felt like a journey I wanted to take. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”Universal Music Publishing CEO Jody Gerson says: “I am a Glass Animals fan and I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams to amplify Dave Bayley’s talents as a writer and producer, not only for his band but also for other artists who inspire and excite him”.Meanwhile, Mike McCormack, Managing Director of UMPG UK, also comments: “Best part of this job is when you get the opportunity to work with a world-class original talent like Dave Bayley.

Thania Garcia Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Dave Bayley of Glass Animals to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. Glass Animals, who are signed to UMG’s Republic label in the U.S., were  named Group of the Year for Variety’s Hitmakers.Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG, said: “I am a Glass Animals fan and I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams to amplify Dave Bayley’s talents as a writer and producer, not only for his band but also for other artists who inspire and excite him.”Glass Animals manager, Amy Morgan of September Management, added, “After the success of ‘Heat Waves’ and ‘Dreamland,’ the next chapter for Dave is going to be a really important one.

Universal Music Publishing has announced a new deal to represent the songs catalogue of Elvis Presley via an extension of the wider Universal Music Group’s partnership with the Authentic Brands Group, which in turn acquired a bunch of Presley-related image and intellectual property rights back in 2013.UMG and ABG have been working together since late 2020 to, and I quote, “acquire and actively manage artist brands” in order to “expand the legacies and cultural impact of artists worldwide across a wide range of consumer touch-points” and “to drive opportunities in merchandise, memorabilia, endorsements, brand experiences and content, among many others”. Lovely stuff.Through its ownership of Elvis Presley Enterprises, ABG manages the Presley estate’s songs catalogue, which includes many of the songs he made famous, even if he didn’t actually co-write them, because he often was co-publisher of those works.ABG previously appointed Kobalt to administer that catalogue, but is now working with its new best buds Universal on managing and exploiting those songs.Says Universal Music Publishing COO Marc Cimino: “Elvis Presley has had an unprecedented and lasting global impact on music and pop culture.

Elvis Presley‘s back catalogue.Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company and owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, have today (April 12) announced a deal over the late icon’s worldwide hits.Excluding the UK, it will cover the likes of classic hits such as ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, ‘It’s Now Or Never’, ‘Memories’, ‘A Little Less Conversation’, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Viva Las Vegas’, ‘Teddy Bar’, ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘All Shook Up’ and ‘Tears On My Pillow’.Marc Cimino, Chief Operating Officer at UMPG, said: “Elvis Presley has had an unprecedented and lasting global impact on music and pop culture. Jody Gerson and I, along with UMPG’s teams around the world, couldn’t be more excited and honoured to work with ABG in making sure that Elvis’ iconic legacy endures for generations to come.”“2022 is shaping up to be a banner year for Elvis, highlighted by the highly-anticipated theatrical release this June of Elvis directed by Baz Luhrmann, as well as the debut of Netflix’s upcoming animated action series Agent King,” said Marc Rosen, President, Entertainment at ABG.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIt’s been a long time coming — two years, in fact — but the Songwriters Hall of Fame has confirmed that its twice-pandemic delayed 51 Annual Induction & Awards Gala will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at its longtime location, the Marriott Marquis New York’s Times Square.The 2022 date, originally set for June 10, 2020, will induct previously announced songwriters, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley / O’Kelly Isley / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley / Chris Jasper (the Isley Brothers), Steve Miller, Pharrell Williams / Chad Hugo (the Neptunes), Rick Nowels and William “Mickey” Stevenson. Master songwriter Paul Williams will be receiving the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award and Universal Music Publishing Chairman-CEO Jody Gerson will receive the Abe Olman Publisher Award.

Universal Music has acquired the full recordings and publishing catalogue of Neil Diamond, expanding on their existing relationship with the musician.“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that the global team at UMG will continue to represent my catalogue, and future releases, with the same passion and integrity that have always fuelled my career”, he says.Universal CEO Lucian Grainge adds: “Neil Diamond is, by definition, a truly universal songwriter. His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history.

Sting has become the latest elder rocker to cash in his songwriting catalog, selling his back output to Universal Music for a reported $300 million.

DEALSRound Hill Music has acquired the publishing catalogue of The Cult’s Billy Duffy. “We jumped at the chance to work with Billy Duffy when we heard he was looking for new home for his catalogue”, says Round Hill CEO Josh Gruss.

Kendrick Lamar has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing. The rapper has spent the last ten years with Warner Chappell.Announcing the move, boss of the rapper’s label Top Dawg Entertainment, Anthony Tiffith, says: “Kendrick and I are excited for our new partnership with Jody Gerson and UMPG.

DEALSUniversal Music Publishing in the US has signed an admin deal with Grammy winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile and the sibling duo she has long collaborated with, Tim and Phil Hanseroth. UMPG boss Jody Gerson says she’s a big fan of Carlile.