Los Angeles-based alternative rock group Capra has been the focus of intense label interest over the past two weeks from both sides of the Atlantic. The band has been on the radar of US majors and booking agents for months as they have been filling up venues in/around Hollywood. Most recently, lead singer Kelly Blatz has taken on the title role of Disney’s upcoming television series Aaron Stone, a multi-million dollar production that is being launched as the flagship show for Disney’s new cable network DisneyXD. The show is currently being filmed in Toronto and will hit television sets worldwide in February 2009. (Click here to read a write up in the Los Angeles Times from last week)
Capra is currently inking a management contract with one of the most successful managers of the past five years, himself having an artist with over 13 million album sales worldwide. Having already signed a worldwide publishing deal with an independent publisher earlier this spring, the band is currently open for legal representation, worldwide booking and, surprisingly, still without a record label. The band is currently writing and recording their debut album, set to be released in the early part of 2009. Expect many more updates on this story in the following weeks of the A&R Worldwide newsletter.
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGN DUBAI SUB-PUB DEAL
Universal Music Publishing Group has announced a deal that would allow Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia) to act as a sub-publisher and licensing representative across the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and neighboring region (including Arab territories of the Middle East and North Africa). The deal makes UMPG the first major music publishing company to enter the UAE region.
The new agreement will encourage the use of UMPG’s catalogue in local advertising campaigns, local television and film and other revenue-generating uses throughout Dubai and the region.
“UMPG is aggressive about utilizing our repertoire in new and emerging markets. Through this new deal with Fairwood/BKP we will generate new revenue opportunities for our writers and artists in one of the most economically exciting regions in the world today,” said David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group.
Hussain “Spek” Yoosuf, Managing Director Fairwood/BKP Music, commented, “The conclusion of this agreement provides new possibilities for Fairwood/BKP and Universal Music Publishing Group to ignite a dynamic business with our respective partners and clients in the region. We are delighted to be able to work with Universal Music Publishing Group to create these new possibilities and build on what we’ve already worked to establish in this part of the world.”
GLOBAL NEWS UPDATES…
Aimee Berger
Renowned US independent music attorney Aimee Berger has joined Primary Wave Music Publishing (“PWMP”) as its Executive Director of Brand Partnerships. Berger will work closely on developing brand partnerships for this burgeoning new publishing company but will continue to represent some of her existing clients. Primary Wave Music is a boutique music publishing company that owns music publishing catalogues including Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, Steven Tyler, Hall & Oates, Earth Wind & Fire and Holly Knight, as well as up-and-coming artists.
BMI has announced that it collected $901 million in revenues for its 2008 fiscal year which ended June 20th. This marks the first time a copyright organization has topped the $900 million mark for music performance revenues and represents a 7.2% percent increase overall. BMI will disperse $786 million to the 375,000 songwriters and publishers it represents, an 8% percent increase over the prior fiscal year.
PaidContent:UK has announced that it will host a half-day seminar focusing on the key strategic issues surrounding the emerging economics of digital music. The event will be held on September 23, 2008 in London at the Flett Events Theater (within The Natural History Museum). PaidContent:UK’s half-day seminar EconMusic will examine the evolving business models, audience behaviors, threats and opportunities. The program targets leading digital media, music and investment figures and is designed to promote knowledge-sharing and encourage networking. To read the full conference schedule, click HERE. A&R Worldwide readers can receive a special discount to the event by clicking HERE.
We’d like to send out condolences to Dr. Dre, who unexpectedly lost his son, Andre Young Jr., over the weekend. Twenty-year-old Andre Young Jr. was found unresponsive by his mother at 10am on Saturday morning, August 23 at the family’s Woodland Hills, CA home; despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A toxicology report to determine the cause of death is still pending.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Chugg, Nori Tsuzuki, Paul MacDonald, Keane, Peter Leak, Jeff Fenster, Nick Shymansky, Ron Fair, Paul Spraggon, Terri McBride, Per Lundin, Richard Griffiths and Sharon Dastur.
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Los Angeles-based alternative rock group 
Universal Music Publishing Group has announced a deal that would allow Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia) to act as a sub-publisher and licensing representative across the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and neighboring region (including Arab territories of the Middle East and North Africa). The deal makes UMPG the first major music publishing company to enter the UAE region.
“UMPG is aggressive about utilizing our repertoire in new and emerging markets. Through this new deal with Fairwood/BKP we will generate new revenue opportunities for our writers and artists in one of the most economically exciting regions in the world today,” said David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group.
PaidContent:UK has announced that it will host a half-day seminar focusing on the key strategic issues surrounding the emerging economics of digital music. The event will be held on September 23, 2008 in London at the Flett Events Theater (within The Natural History Museum). PaidContent:UK’s half-day seminar EconMusic will examine the evolving business models, audience behaviors, threats and opportunities. The program targets leading digital media, music and investment figures and is designed to promote knowledge-sharing and encourage networking. To read the full conference schedule, click 
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Chugg, Nori Tsuzuki, Paul MacDonald, Keane, Peter Leak, Jeff Fenster, Nick Shymansky, Ron Fair, Paul Spraggon, Terri McBride, Per Lundin, Richard Griffiths and Sharon Dastur.