Music Business Roundup: Pharrell Leaves ASCAP, SESAC Buys Rumblefish, and Labels Sue General Motors

Updated:

January 11, 2017 10:56 am

American Songwriter participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating on American Songwriter’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliate sites generate revenue for American Songwriter . This means that American Songwriter may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Videos by American Songwriter

Each week on Songwriter U, Songspace recaps the top stories in the world of music business. Here’s everything you need to know from the week ending on August 1st.

Pharrell leaves ASCAP
Mega-producer, songwriter, and artist Pharrell Williams is leaving ASCAP to join Global Music Rights, a new PRO venture started by music management mogul Irving Azoff and ex-ASCAP VP Randy Grimmett. Williams’ move may mark the beginning of a new era for performance rights, especially as digital music changes the traditional performance royalty business. Global Music Rights is an exclusive, boutique PRO, presumably offering specialized services and better rates to a select group of high-profile songwriters. Williams joins One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder on the Global Music Rights roster, and we expect the company to announce a number of other high-profile signings in the coming months.

SESAC Expands, Acquires Rumblefish
Nashville-based SESAC announced plans to expand its footprint beyond traditional performance rights in conjunction with a deal to acquire micro-licensing site Rumblefish. While terms were not disclosed, SESAC will take a majority controlling interest in the company and will integrate its technology within a broader digital strategy. According to a press release, SESAC is seeking to offer “a simplified, multi-right, international licensing model and focus on innovative uses of technology and data services.” Venture capital firm Risvi-Traverse, which, among other high profile technology investments, made a whopping $3.8 billion on the recent Twitter IPO, purchased SESAC in early 2013 and appears to be pursuing an aggressive strategy to recalibrate the PRO as the digital rights landscape shifts.