DEALS
✂️
The Cutting Edge Group - which specialises in music for the media, wellbeing and live entertainment sectors - has raised $500 million debt refinancing, which will in part fund further catalogue acquisitions. “Working with our new financial partners, we’re pleased now to be able to move on our identified pipeline, expanding our portfolio and continuing to support this area of the industry”, says Head Of M&A And Corporate Strategy Tim Hegarty.
👁️
BDi Music has signed Liz Cass to a worldwide publishing agreement. “I’m so THRILLED to be joining the BDi Music family”, she says. “Sometimes you wait it out until you find where you truly fit. I’ve definitely found that in [founder Sarah Liversedge] and all the team at BDi, and I’m excited to see where this new chapter takes me”.
APPOINTMENTS
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The International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry - or IFPI to its friends - has appointed Victoria Oakley as its new CEO. She joins from strategic communications consultancy Portland. “I’m delighted to be joining IFPI and leading the global team as it continues its work to create the best possible environment for music worldwide”, she says. “The sector is once again experiencing a period of rapid evolution with new technology creating both exciting opportunities and new challenges. We must continue to stand up for the rights of those creating and investing in music in order to secure its incredibly exciting future”.
🎶
Talent agency CAA has appointed Rob Light as Managing Director of its music department. He is one of nine new managing directors appointed as part of a restructured leadership team at the agency, along with a new board. “With our expanded corporate leadership structure and an entire company of the world’s best dealmakers, creative thinkers and career representatives, CAA has never been better positioned to help clients capture the best opportunities and navigate the challenges of today’s media and sports industries”, says CEO Bryan Lourd.
🎤
Entertainment and culture agency Attachment has hired Kez Withers as Head Of Live. She joins from Universal Music, having previously worked for Attachment in 2018 and 2019. “I have always known that I wanted to work with talent and brands”, she says. “Working as a campaign manager for Attachment at the early stages of my career provided a springboard into that world before developing my career further in the live events space. And now, it’s like I’ve almost come full circle doing something that I am most passionate about - bringing all of those things together. We’re calling it the comeback tour!”
DIGITAL
🎧
High quality audio may finally be coming to Spotify as part of a new ‘Music Pro’ add on, which would also give users access to the streaming company’s planned remixing tools, according to The Verge.
MEDIA
📻
Mark Goodier is returning to the BBC, becoming the new presenter of Radio 2’s ‘Pick Of The Pops’. He takes over the show following the recent death of Steve Wright. “It’s an honour to host the iconic ‘Pick Of The Pops’, although I wish it were in happier circumstances as I was friends with Steve for almost 40 years”, he says. “I can’t wait to reminisce with Radio 2 listeners as we revisit two years in their lives, playing some of the best records ever made”.
🗣️
Goodier’s new BBC role means that he is leaving Greatest Hits Radio, which has announced that Martin Kemp, Kate Thornton and Richard Allinson will present new weekend shows for the radio station from 4 May. “It’s always the good times here at Greatest Hits Radio but our new weekend line up is taking that to a whole new level”, says Content Director Andrew Ashton. “We can’t wait for our ever-growing army of listeners to hear these new shows which are going to be appointment radio every Saturday and Sunday”.