Publishing Briefs: Pulse and Jon Bellion Bond; WCM and ICE Expand Partnership

Armada music'small BEAT Music Fund has acquired Cloud 9 Music, a music publisher based in Amsterdam. As part of the acquisition, Armada Music's existing publishing group, Armada Publishing BV, and Cloud 9 Music will merge to form Armada Music Publishing. The company's BEAT Music Fund is dedicated to building a catalog of dance and electronic classics, and now, after purchasing Cloud 9, it's well on its way. His catalog now includes Armin van Buuren's Grammy-nominated “This Is What It Feels Like,” Lost Frequencies' “Reality,” and Da Beatfreakz's co-writing of “Prada,” originally performed by Cassö, D-Block Europe, and Ray.

Pulse Music Group has started a new publishing venture with singer, songwriter and producer Jon Bellion. Called Beautiful mind, the new publisher will be managed by Bellion and his longtime manager Matt Maschi. Louis Coppola will handle day-to-day operations. Along with news of his new label and staff, Pulse and Bellion announced that Beautiful Mind has signed artist, songwriter and Bellion collaborator Elijah Noll to the label.

Warner Chappell Music and ICE have expanded and expanded their multi-territorial digital collaboration. As part of the agreement, WCM will transfer all electronic processing from other European digital license management partners to ICE. This follows a thorough 10-month review by WCM, which has helped existing providers and new entrants find the solution that best serves its songwriters.

Warner Chappell Music has signed it Red Clay Strays in a global publishing deal. After independently releasing their 2022 album The moment of truth, the band took to TikTok, eventually landing the single “Wondering Why” on the Hot 100 chart. Now they are ready to take their career to the next level. Along with the new WCM publishing deal, the group also signed a deal with RCA Records.

5 Alarm music (a major indie music library and subsidiary of Anthem Entertainment) has entered into a new exclusive partnership with Sovereign to start the program Composer for the first time (“FTC”) with Paramount Music's Anita Chinkes Ratner and Rochelle Holguin Capello in the lead. The program kicks off with a writing camp at the Sound Factory in Los Angeles from April 25-26. 14 participants will be divided into four groups, each paired with a 5 Alarm producer who can guide the newcomers through the process of writing specific song briefs.

BMI launched a new royalties dashboard for songwriters and composers, providing greater transparency into performance royalties earnings. The move is part of the newly for-profit PRO's wider expansion plan to improve customer service. Now, BMI affiliates can have a fully interactive view of royalty statements and see their top performing titles, search for individual projects, track quarterly and annual earnings trends, explore international earnings and more.

Concord Music Publishing has extended its agreement with Jeremy Lutito. Along with his publishing deal, which includes both his back catalog and future projects, Concord and Lutito are also launching Mezzanine, a joint venture under which Lutito will sign and develop authors at Concord. The first signing at Mezzanine is Jon Class, a frequent Lutito collaborator.

Spirit Music Nashville renewed his deal with the artist/writer Tim Montana. The news follows Montana's recent success at rock radio, scoring his single “Devil You Know” on both Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and Rock & Alternative Airplay charts.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed Randall King in a new publishing agreement. With songs like “You In A Honky Tonk,” “Hey Cowgirl” and “Mirror Mirror,” King is known for bringing the tried and true Texas twang to Nashville.

Major Bob Music has signed a management and publishing agreement with Leah Blevins. The singer-songwriter has built a following in Nashville for her unique sound and touring. In recent years, the artist has toured with Lainey Wilson, Marcus King, Flatland Cavalry, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, Amanda Shires, The War And Treaty and others.

World Music Rights (GMR), the boutique performing rights organization, has settled a copyright infringement lawsuit with Vermont Broadcast Associates. As part of the settlement, VBA secured a long-term GMR license and settled its previous alleged violations.