Yahoo Finance Music Industry Moves: Danny Strick Joins CMNTY Culture as Senior Advisor; Little Mix Singer Signs With TaP
Danny Strick (pictured), a 16-year veteran and ex co-president of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has signed on as a senior advisor to CMNTY Culture. Strick will be involved with the record label (CMNTY Culture RCRDS, home to the artist RMR) and music publishing entity (CMNTY Culture Publishing) launched by Philip Lawrence (Grammy-winning music creator), Malik Rasheed (formerly of SB Projects) and Chief Johnson (formerly of Puma), in partnership with Thomas St. John, founder of Thomas St. John Group.
+ Better Noise Music COO Steve Kline is adding a leadership role at parent company Better Noise Entertainment to his resume. As COO title, Kline will continue to oversee global streaming, radio and digital marketing teams for the music roster while also expanding to include music, film, podcasts and other content initiatives.
More from Variety
CAA Announces Agency Promotions at Starry Retreat With Will Smith, Dua Lipa, Jimmy Fallon
Sony Music Publishing Partners with Silence the Shame to Launch 'The Soundtrack of Mental Health'
Creative Artists Agency Names Jeffrey Freedman Chief Administrative Officer
Kline reports to company founder and CEO Allen Kovac, who said: “When I first met with Steve 17 years ago in New York, he was a seasoned radio promotions executive, hungry to expand his skillset to all other facets of artist development and music marketing. Since joining our team, he’s done just that and more, continuing to inspire our company daily with his endless curiosity and knack for forward-thinking campaigns. As we continue bringing music and telling stories to a global audience, we’re fortunate to have him in this new role, where his creativity and industry expertise will lead the way for all of our offices worldwide.”
March 11
+ Anthony Martini has been named CEO of Royalty Exchange, replacing founding chief executive Matthew Smith, who will remain with the company and ascend to chairman. Said Martini, who previously served in senior roles at Crush Management, Jingle Punks and Anthem Entertainment: “I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of finding the next big artist, but this time I’ve found the next big company. Royalty Exchange is disrupting the financial landscape of the music business in favor of those who actually create the value in this industry — the artists. That’s a mission I can get behind and take to the next level.”
March 9
+ TaP Music has signed Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock for representation in music, film and TV worldwide, working alongside Modest Management. Pinnock joins a management roster that includes Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Dermot Kennedy and Hailee Steinfeld. Modest will continue to oversee Little Mix-affiliated projects.
Said TaP co-founders Ed Millett and Ben Mawson: “We are really thrilled to welcome Leigh-Anne to the TaP family for all her solo activities. She is an incredibly smart and talented artist with a strong vision and sense of purpose and has numerous fantastic projects across tv, film and music already in the pipeline. We’re really looking forward to working with Leigh-Anne to help realize and achieve all her goals and more”.
“I’m so excited to reveal I am now being represented by TaP Music for all of my solo projects,” Pinnock added. “This is such an incredibly exciting time for me and my career and I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve got coming up. I will continue to work on my solo endeavors alongside my Little Mix commitments.”
+ Attorney Doug Davis, Variety’s 2018 Lawyer of the Year, has announced the addition of Kim Youngberg as partner at The Davis Firm. Youngberg’s previous roles includes an associateship at Davis Shapiro, a SVP of business and legal affairs position at Windup Entertainment, and general counsel for Screenvision Media. She will also assume the role of chief legal officer at DJDTP, Davis’ custom supervision and production music company.
Said Davis: “There are only a few moments in one’s professional life where you can enjoy a homecoming. Kim’s arrival at the firm is one of those moments for me and I am thrilled to welcome her. I know that the Davis Firm will soar to new heights with her addition.”
+ Sony Music Publishing has renewed its global deal with country music singer and “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan. Among Bryan’s 26 country hits are the No. 1s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Every Day,” “Move,” “Fast” and “What Makes You Country.”
+ Also at Sony Music Publishing, Tom Foley has been promoted to senior vice president, worldwide portfolio management and analysis. Based in Nashville, Foley reports to global chief financial officer, Tom Kelly.
+ B2B music licensing marketplace Songtradr has acquired Song Zu, the music and sound design company operating in the Australia and Asia Pacific region, with studios in Sydney and Singapore. Financial terms were not revealed but it’s the second multi-million dollar acquisition since Songtradr completed a $30 million Series C funding round in July 2020.
March 8
+ Sony Music Publishing has signed Grammy-winning songwriter/ DJ/ producer J. White Did It, known for his collaborations with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, among others, to a worldwide deal. White (aka Anthony Jermaine White) produced Cardi’s “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” ft. J Balvin and Bad Bunny, and “Money,” as well as “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, which is up for two Grammys. He has also helmed songs for Mulatto, Gucci Mane and Iggy Azalea, and was named a 2020 Variety Hitmaker last December.
+ Rough Trade Publishing and Shout It Out Loud Music have joined forces to create Academy Fight Songs, a new venture focused on the creation of custom music and sonic identities for visual media, branding, and more. With offices in New York, L.A. and Nashville, the new company will utilize RTP’s talent roster with SIOLM’s creative direction to provide culturally relevant custom soundtracks across all platforms and media, including composing original music for commercials, television and film. RTP artists will also develop an exclusive catalog of licensing-specific music for all uses. Licensing efforts will be handled by licensing leader Bank Robber Music, RTP’s sister-company. Academy Fight Songs will sign new acts with the specific goal of creating bespoke musical content for media.
The new venture has already completed a number of projects prior to its official launch, including music for a Joe Biden presidential ad voiced by Brad Pitt that aired during the World Series.
+ Creative Artists Agency has elevated Chris Ibbs, Evan Kantor, and Jasmin Nash to agents in the company’s music department. Ibbs is based in London, Kantor in Nashville, and Nash in New York.
“We are proud to promote these wonderfully talented individuals who have worked tirelessly to get to where they are today,” said Chief Innovation Officer and CAA Board Member Michelle Kydd Lee. “They have each proven their ability to live out the values of CAA on a daily basis and continue to work with passion, unparalleled client service, and an exceptional commitment to the agency’s team-centered culture. They have each carved out an incredible career for themselves through their hard work and dedication, and we are so proud to be a part of this next phase of their journeys.”
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
