Jon Platt: Last News

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music The wide reach of Clarence Avant, who was widely known as “the Godfather of Black Entertainment” and died Sunday at the age of 92, was evident from the range of people paying tribute to him on social media after his death was announced Monday morning. His influence spanned music, entertainment, sports, politics and beyond. Within just a couple of hours, former President Bill Clinton, the Rev.

DEALSSony Music Publishing has announced a new worldwide deal with the estate of Muddy Waters to administer the full catalogue of the late blues musician. “Muddy Waters was without a doubt one of the most impactful songwriters in modern music”, says SMP CEO Jon Platt. “His vibrant, expressive sound is embodied in music today and continues to inspire generations.

BreAnna Bell Lil Baby was recognized with the Black Music Action Coalition’s Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award on Thursday night at the Music in Action Awards Gala. After being introduced with a video congratulations from his mother Lashawn Jones and Quality Control Music Group founder Pierre Thomas as well as a letter written by Quincy Jones, the rapper took the stage in a dapper velvet black suit, which he paired with some reading glasses on stage. “Not only have you made music history and impacted the course of modern hip-hop, but you use your platform to give back to the community in a meaningful way. And that’s what it’s all about,” said Jones in his letter, which was read to the crowd by his son Quincy Jones III.

Thania Garcia In spring 2020, the U.S. came to terms with its role in racial inequality on the heels of a tragedy: the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. That singular moment compelled many, including those in the music business, to pledge funds and action. It also gave birth to the Black Music Action Coalition, a collective of Black creators, activists and change-makers who have diligently kept the issue in the headlines and on the minds of corporate parents.  On Sept. 22, the organization — whose leadership includes industry veterans Damien Smith, Caron Veazey and Shawn Holiday, among others — celebrates its second annual Music in Action gala in Beverly Hills, where honorees include Lil Baby, Sony Music Publishing chairman Jon Platt, 300 Elektra Entertainment’s Kevin Liles and 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones. It promises to be a gathering of heavies, as last year’s inaugural fete — Variety is a media sponsor — drew the Weeknd, Motown chairwoman Ethiopia Habtemariam and attorney Ben Crump. 

Thania Garcia The 100 Percenters, a musicians and creatives advocacy nonprofit, has opened the first round of its Songwriter Stimulus Program applications in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.With support from Sony, the 100 Percenters will offer $2,500 stimulus grants in its first round of applications for U.S. songwriters. To qualify for the grant, applicants must have experience as a professional songwriter for two or more years, have three or more songwriting credits on allmusic.com, be a U.S.

Thania Garcia Today (Aug. 4), the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) revealed honorees for its second annual Music in Action Awards Gala on Sept. 22 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.Jon “Big Jon” Platt, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing (pictured at left), will be receiving the Clarence Avant Trailblazer award.

Sony Music Publishing has signed Danger Mouse – real name Brian Burton – to a new worldwide publishing agreement.Burton himself was not on hand to comment on the deal, but three people from Sony have. And in many ways that’s better, isn’t it? Yeah? Good.“Danger Mouse is not only a brilliant songwriter, but a true innovator who pushes creative boundaries and challenges listeners to think outside the box”, says SMP CEO Jon Platt.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorPink, Sony Music Publishing Chairman/CEO Jon Platt and the late songwriter/producer Busbee will be honored at the Songwriters of North America’s second annual SONA Warrior Awards, taking place as a hybrid celebration comprised of an in-person gala on July 23 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and a virtual livestream via mandolin.com on July 24. SONA is one of the only advocacy organizations for songwriters, formed by professional songwriters to advocate for fair pay, safety, equality and a collective voice.The announcement notes that each of the honorees is known for their accomplishments within the industry, the Warrior Awards provide an opportunity to amplify their advocacy.

The CAA Amplify summit will make its in-person return on June 22 featuring speakers across entertainment, sports, media, technology, and social justice.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCity of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, announced that its Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group’s 2022 Spirit of Life Gala will feature a performance by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson.The gala will take place Oct. 27, 2022, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles — the first after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticMusic publishing, a part of the industry that rarely raises its hand to be its hottest or most controversial subject, has recently been an uncharacteristic source of news headlines again and again, due to a seeming gold rush that has major artist-songwriters selling off their catalogs for huge figures. As the chairman-CEO of Sony Music Publishing, Jon Platt naturally has a few thoughts about this crest of cashing in. And they’re mixed, even if he’s not about to wax gloomy about writers getting their due.“There’s no one particular answer to this —  no one-size-fits-all answer, to be honest with you,” Platt said during a keynote Q&A at the annual Music Biz conference in Nashville Wednesday.

Copyright Royalty Board to increase mechanical royalties from music streaming services like like Spotify by 32% immediately — or from 9.1 cents to 12 cents per track.The rate had been disputed by the DSPs — including Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Pandora and Google (YouTube) — leading to a legal deadlock that threatened the ratification of the rate in the 2023-2027 period. Rightsholders and trade groups were aiming for 15 cents, and the streamers argued to maintain the 9-cent rate.The motion states that the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) along with  Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, as well as qualified copyright owners, have come to an agreement with the rate change effective immediately.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe 100 Percenters, a music-creatives advocacy nonprofit, has announced a partnership with Sony Music Publishing designed to provide financial relief and support to U.S. songwriters, composers, and producers.With support from SMP, the 100 Percenters will offer relief funding to songwriters who the ongoing pandemic has impacted through its Songwriter Stimulus Program, according to the announcement.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCity of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., will honor Republic Records founders Monte and Avery Lipman (pictured above, R-L) at its 2022 Spirit of Life Gala in the fall. The prestigious award will be presented to them at a gala dinner — the first Spirit of Life Gala since 2019.According to the announcement, the Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn a major move in the publishing world, Sony Music Publishing has announced the appointment of Walter Jones as executive vice president and head of A&R, effective February 22. In the role, he will oversee the company’s U.S.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Publishing has announced Songwriter Assistance, a new program that will provide its global roster of songwriters and composers with access to free, confidential counseling services and wellness resources.According to the announcement, starting February 1, Songwriter Assistance will offer 24/7 counseling support via global hotlines, as well as ongoing counseling services for emotional health matters such as stress, anxiety, depression, and family/relationship challenges.SMP songwriters will also have unlimited access to customized resources for tackling daily responsibilities such as researching childcare and eldercare options, navigating life transitions, co-parenting, budgeting for major life events, and more.In a letter to songwriters and composers announcing the program, Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Publishing said, “We are committed to providing you with services that matter. The importance of wellness cannot be overstated, and with Songwriter Assistance, we look forward to offering a whole new level of care and support.”Amy Cranford, SMP senior VP of publishing administration, said, “We are passionate about taking care of Sony Music Publishing’s songwriters and composers and providing them with the best level of support.

Sony Music Publishing has signed that Olivia Rodrigo to a worldwide publishing deal, which is good news for Sony Music Publishing.“There’s nothing I love more than songwriting”, says Rodrigo. “It’s my favourite thing in the world, and I’m excited to be working with the team at Sony Music Publishing”.Because this big deal is a big deal, Sony has wheeled out three people to comment on it.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorA month after Sony Music Entertainment announced that it will waive unrecouped debts for artists who signed with the company before 2000, its publishing company has joined the program as well. The program, part of a larger effort called Artists Forward, means that eligible artists who had not recouped their advances and/or other expenses will now receive royalties that previously had gone toward paying down those expenses.Sony Music Publishing chairman/CEO Jon Platt writes in a letter titled “Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program”:Dear Songwriters,Today, I am pleased to share that we are launching Songwriters Forward, an initiative designed to expand our support of careers at every stage.

DEALSSony Music Publishing has announced a deal with Australian music firm Alberts, which will see the major administer the song catalogues of AC/DC, and also songwriting and production team Vanda, Young And Wright. “We are pleased to join forces with Alberts to deliver new opportunities for AC/DC and Vanda, Young And Wright”, says SMP CEO Jon Platt.

Sony Music Publishing has signed Janelle Monáe and her Wondaland Arts Society company to a worldwide administration agreement.“As an artist who is constantly reinventing myself, I feel like I’m just getting started”, says Monáe. “I am excited about partnering with Big Jon and the rest of my new Sony family to help shape the future of music in the record industry as well as the fashion, and TV and film space”.Big Jon – aka Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt – adds: “I have been chasing the opportunity to work with Janelle since the beginning of her career.

Sony Music Publishing has signed Janelle Monáe and her Wondaland Arts Society company to a worldwide administration agreement.“As an artist who is constantly reinventing myself, I feel like I’m just getting started”, says Monáe. “I am excited about partnering with Big Jon and the rest of my new Sony family to help shape the future of music in the record industry as well as the fashion, and TV and film space”.Big Jon – aka Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt – adds: “I have been chasing the opportunity to work with Janelle since the beginning of her career.