BMG - The New Music Company

🎄 Happy holidays from us all at BMG 🎄

December is the perfect time to reflect on the year gone by and to gear up for what’s ahead.   Last week, at BMG’s Global Town Hall, I was reminded once again of our team's creativity, dedication, and passion—and all that we’ve accomplished together this past year.   We’ve helped our artists and songwriters share their music with the world and engage with their fans, releasing chart-topping records from Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and Kylie Minogue and celebrating milestones with publishing clients including D’Mile, Pashanim, and Blossoms.    For our catalog activities, publishing and recordings, 2024 was a big year. Phenomenal campaigns confirmed our approach and allowed us to work with the world‘s most iconic artists and songwriters in a new structure - globally!     We also expanded our roster with new recording and publishing deals, welcoming Blake Shelton, Mustard, and The Script, Ray Dalton, Leony, and KT Tunstall. We also forged exciting global partnerships with icons like Tomorrowland Music, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Ubisoft, and Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios.    Songs from BMG’s incredible roster have been featured in some of the year’s biggest films, ads, and series’ with our Sync and Production Music teams finding new outlets for the works and creativity of our clients.    All of this was achieved during a year marked by political and economic challenges. While our BMG Next strategy provided direction, it was the resilience and hard work of our teams that enabled us to keep delivering in such a shifting environment.    At BMG - The New Music Company, 2024 has been intense and transformational. I’m very happy with our joint accomplishments. To all our teams, artists, songwriters, and partners, thank you for being part of this journey. I wish you all a happy and restful festive season – I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in 2025!

🎉 🎉 Multiple Gold and Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Leony has signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG and We Publish Music GmbH & Co. KG. With hits including 'Faded Love' and 'Remedy' and over a billion streams worldwide, Leony has established herself as one of Germany's most sought-after singer-songwriters. Following the release of ‘Fire,’ the official anthem of the UEFA European Championship 2024, in collaboration with Meduza and OneRepublic, Leony has firmly established herself on the international stage, reaching audiences worldwide. Leony said: “I am over the moon to be joining BMG! It's an exciting time for me and I can't wait to share my music with the world and explore new creative avenues. Let's do great things together!” Marc Johlen, Managing Director GSA at BMG, said: “Leony has achieved remarkable success in a short time and has established herself as one of the most promising voices in German pop and beyond. Her songwriting, creativity and dedication are inspiring, and we are delighted to welcome her to BMG.” Nico Meckelnburg, Managing Director at We Publish Music, added: “We are very proud to have been part of Leony's career to date and look forward to expanding our relationship with BMG.” Read in full: https://lnkd.in/eGbu3P-g

For the third consecutive year, BMG has been named one of the most LGBTIQ+-friendly employers in Germany by the social enterprise UHLALA Group. This year, BMG was one of the three mid-sized companies to receive the highest overall score on the annual PRIDE Index. Through its outstanding commitment to the LGBTIQ+ community, the company is fostering an inclusive workplace for everyone. And notably, BMG is the only music company to feature in the overall ranking. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZWNGeez

🎉 BMG elevates Katie Kerkhover to lead A&R Frontline Recordings across North America BMG has announced the promotion of Katie Kerkhover to Senior Vice President, A&R, Frontline Recordings, North America. In her newly expanded role, Kerkhover will now lead the A&R teams at BMG’s offices in Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, and Toronto. Currently based in Nashville, Kerkhover will split her time between the Music City and Los Angeles. She reports directly to Jon Loba, President, Frontline Recordings, The Americas. Loba said, “When looking for the perfect candidate to lead A&R in North America and elevate our frontline efforts in multiple offices, we didn’t have to look very far. Katie has quickly become one of the most accomplished and respected A&R executives in the business, with the track record to match. Like many of the best A&R executives, her background in publishing has served her well in building deep and trusted relationships within the creative community and helping artists realize their unique visions. Having seen firsthand her work with our Nashville roster, including with creatives on both coasts, I am so excited to see what additional magic she helps create for our BMG Frontline Recorded team.” Read in full: https://lnkd.in/efrWdEHd

In a recent interview with German music trade MusikWoche, BMG’s President of Global Catalog Recordings & Music Publishing North America, Thomas Scherer, shared valuable perspectives on global catalog management and the entrepreneurial spirit at BMG. Some key topics, and highlight moments, Thomas Scherer discusses include: ▶ Global strategy with local expertise and establishing a new genre-based structure within the Global Catalog team. ▶ Investing in catalogs with a purpose and long-term vision rooted in responsible entrepreneurship, a core value at Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. ▶ Celebrating music icons and in particular, stewarding George Harrison's catalog. Most recently, Dark Horse Records/BMG released the 50th anniversary editions of George Harrison’s Living in the Material World, the highly praised second solo album of original music following The Beatles’ 1970 dissolution. Read more (original in German, paywall): https://lnkd.in/eUZVfeNT

It's been an exciting week in Nashville! The "biggest night in Country music", the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, brought everyone to Music City to honor, celebrate, and recognize the incredible artists and songwriters making waves in Country music.   BMG's week-long festivities kicked off on Monday with a surprise celebration honoring superstar Blake Shelton's biggest radio add day ever ahead of the ASCAP and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) awards ceremonies. The fun continued on Tuesday with BBR Music Group and BMG's 14th annual Pre-CMA Party, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, and on Wednesday with the CMA Awards.   From us at BMG, a huge congratulations goes to all the winners this week - Lainey Wilson, who won CMA Awards for "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year", Dan Wilson whose Chris Stapleton song ‘White Horse’ won both the CMA Award for "Song of the Year" and an ASCAP Country Music Award, Carly Pearce, Kurt Allison, and the late David Bowie who all additionally won ASCAP awards, and Kat Higgins, Chayce Beckham, Jelly Roll and Tully Kennedy who were honored during BMI’s 72nd Annual Country Awards. A further congratulations goes to Lainey Wilson who not only hosted the CMA Awards but also performed two songs, Jelly Roll for his CMA performances, and Blake Shelton who performed during the BMI’s Annual Country Awards.   A heartfelt thank you to all our performers at the BBR Music Group/BMG 14th Annual Pre-CMA Party: Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Dustin Lynch, Parmalee, The Frontmen, Haven Madison, Dylan Schneider, Madeline Merlo, Frank Ray, John Morgan, Tim Montana, K. Michelle, Drew Baldridge, Chayce Beckham, and Lanie Gardner.   And our sponsors: Goats Only, ZILZIE WINES PTY LTD, The HEINEKEN Company, and Gigi Pip. And a last but certainly not least thank you to all the attendees and organizers! 🙌 🙌 📸 Sara Kauss / Keith Griner

What a night celebrating BMG's country music artists and songwriters in Nashville for "country music's biggest night", the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards! From Dan Wilson winning the highly coveted "Song of the Year" for 'White Horse' with Chris Stapleton to Lainey Wilson's wins for "Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” for 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses'. The evening rounded off with multiple performances by both Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll. A huge congratulations to all the winners! 👏 👏

Country superstar Blake Shelton secured the biggest radio add day of his entire storied career this week with his anthemic single, 'Texas'. 🎊 🎉 The BMG/BBR Music Group team in Nashville surprised the artist with a celebration of this monumental career milestone (watch the video for a full summary of the event!). Of the success, Shelton said, "I moved to Nashville the month after I graduated from high school to sing country music and hopefully get to hear one of my songs on the radio." He continued, "After all these years, it’s still exciting, and thanks to fans for listening and coming out to shows. I can’t wait to play 'Texas' live!"

Award-winning global gaming pioneer Ubisoft Entertainment has renewed its longtime global publishing administration partnership with BMG. One of the largest and most successful gaming companies in the world and renowned for franchises including Assassins Creed, Far Cry, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s, and Rabbids, among others. Throughout their partnership, BMG and Ubisoft have teamed together on a number of successful creative collaborations with BMG songwriters contributing to musical works including Einar Selvik (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla), Mothica (Rocksmith), Porfi Baloa (Far Cry 6), and Domino Saints and Ayo & Teo (Just Dance). Alkis Argyriadis, Ubisoft, Head of Music, said, "Ubisoft Music is super happy to continue this journey with BMG, whose shown tremendous support over the last few years for partnerships with our major brands and unique creative collaborations.” Maite Bursic, BMG’s VP, Music Publishing Creative, said, “BMG takes great pride in representing Ubisoft, one of the world’s most successful and innovative game developers, as our longtime partner. Their versatility as a creative leader, expanding influence in music, alongside a growing presence in film and television, closely aligns with our strategic focus and shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment.” Read in full: https://lnkd.in/eYu_CYZ8