Yahoo Lifestyle Music Industry Moves: Alix Kram Named Head of Marketing for Universal Music Publishing; Sammy SoSo Inks Deal With Concord
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has named Alix Kram its head of marketing, a newly-created global role. Based in New York, she will report to UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, and UMPG COO Marc Cimino.
Kram is set to navigate the publishing company’s marketing efforts with a focus on creative storytelling and cultural relevance. She will work to amplify initiatives across business units, and maximizing awareness and opportunities for UMPG-owned catalogs. Additionally, Kram will work with Bravado to drive strategy and create revenue-generating opportunities for UMPG/Bravado catalog IP.
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Kram will also provide marketing support for Bravado, UMG’s global merchandise and brand management company, reporting to President Matt Young.
Most recently, Kram worked at Netflix leading the retail and consumer products marketing team across the United States, Canada and Australia. Prior to Netflix, Kram served at Warner Music Group as head of global brand licensing and retail, developing brand opportunities for artists including Grateful Dead and Wiz Khalifa.
She also worked at Nickelodeon/Paramount as VP of lifestyle and retail marketing. Kram also founded a boutique marketing and branding agency, theKRAMcollective, whose clients included Hasbro, Dreamworks, HBO, Atari, and more.
+ Concord Music Publishing has signed Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Sammy SoSo to a new global publishing deal with the company.
SoSo co-wrote the Grammy-winning song “Water” by Tyla (who is also published by Concord Music Publishing), and wrote 10 songs on Tyla’s debut self-titled album. SoSo and Tyla’s continued collaboration was facilitated by Concord Music Publishing’s A&R team. The deal covers Soso’s current catalog and all future works.
Sammy has also contributed to two tracks on Kali Uchis’ “Orquídeas,” and has releases with Wizkid on his albums “Made in Lagos” and “More Love Less Ego,” along with three tracks on Headie One’s recent album “The Last One.”
+ Downtown Music Publishing has signed George Prajin’s Double P Records to a global publishing administration deal. The boutique label is home to Peso Pluma, whose catalog is included in the deal.
The partnership sees Downtown Music Publishing providing full global administration and sync placement across Double P Records’ current and future releases as well as administration for Peso Pluma’s own publishing interests, including his latest double album, “Éxodo,” which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
+ Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has promoted Blair Adour, Jibran Ahmed, and Sam Reisman to agents in the global touring department.
Adour is based in New York and joined CAA as a professional in 2021. She holds a masters degree in Music Business from NYU and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego.
Ahmed, based in Los Angeles, began working at CAA in 2018 working in the music crossover division, and was promoted to professional in 2023. Based in the New York office, Reisman joined CAA in 2019 as an assistant in the music touring department and most recently served as a coordinator.
Monday, Aug. 5
Warner Chappell Music has signed a global administration deal with singer-songwriter and indie-rock icon Liz Phair that includes her full music catalog, the company announced Monday. Her catalog includes such songs as “Why Can’t I?,” “Supernova,” and “Never Said,” as well as her galvanizing 1993 debut album “Exile in Guyville.” The Grammy-nominated artist has released seven studio albums over the years, with the most recent being 2021’s “Soberish.” Phair has also written for TV as well as authored the 2021 memoir “Horror Stories.”
Phair said, “My songs represent my life’s work, and I am excited to take a fresh look at my catalog with the support of such a unique and maverick team at Warner Chappell, co-headed by the charismatic Carianne Marshall.”
Carianne Marshall, Warner Chappell co-chair and COO, shared: “Liz has always embraced her true self, releasing songs that were ahead of her time. She opened doors for women in music in the ‘90s, ushering in a new era of rock and roll with her bold, empowering lyrics and trailblazing sound. She continues to influence music today, and we’re proud to be working together to introduce even more audiences to her incredible songs.”
Greg Sowders, the company’s senior VP of A&R and catalog, added: “Liz’s songs and records changed the way songwriters and artists wrote and recorded in the 90s. She single handedly helped forge the alternative music genre, and her work is more relevant today than it was when she first changed all the rules. There are many more great things in store for Liz and her career as she takes on this next chapter.”
+ AEG Presents and developer Jacobs Entertainment have announced a new venue in Cleveland: Globe Iron.
Located on the West Bank of Cleveland’s Flats nightlife district, Globe Iron features a 1,200-capacity indoor concert hall space accompanied by a courtyard for year-round entertainment.
Located in the former home of the 1850s-era Globe Iron Works Foundry, AEG Presents has rehabilitated the building while preserving many of its original elements. AEG Presents will operate and exclusively book the venue’s programming, which will also include corporate functions, weddings, conferences, award shows, fundraisers and more, bringing an additional 150 events to the city.
“Cleveland has been a focus for AEG Presents since renovating the iconic Agora six years ago. With a design focused on the best live experience, Globe Iron will be a must-play venue in the region,” commented Jason Rogalewski, Senior Vice President of AEG Presents Great Lakes. “It will check all the boxes with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, perfect sight lines, and world-class amenities for both fans and artists, all within a unique setting that ensures a truly great experience and supports our goal of bringing more tours to Cleveland.”
Executive Vice President of Jacobs Entertainment Inc. Patrick McKinley added, “We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with AEG Presents. Jacobs Pavilion has been a great success, and we look forward to the same with Globe Iron for years to come.”
+ Republic Records: Kids & Family and DreamWorks Animation have announced a partnership to release new original music from the popular mixed-media children’s series, “Gabby’s Dollhouse.” The partnership launched Monday with the release of the song “Better Together.” The song arrives on the heels of “Marty Party” featuring Darren Criss — the voice of Marty The Party Cat in Season 10.
Regarding this partnership, Republic Records: Kids & Family SVP Bree Bowles commented, “The DreamWorks team are world-class, and I couldn’t be more excited to be announcing this new partnership. The music in ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ is the epitome of fun, and we have a lot in store for the little fans in coming months.”
DreamWorks SVP of TV Music Alexandra Nickson added, “At DreamWorks Animation, our motto is ‘no kids music, just great music,’ and from the beginning our series songwriter/composer PT Walkley has delivered on that promise with infectious hooks for Gabby’s fans of all ages. We are thrilled to bring ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ and our remarkable catalog of original music to the Republic Records: Kids & Family music family, expanding our reach globally.”
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