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FOSTER APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF VERVE MUSIC GROUP



David Foster
Expanding further into the growing adult contemporary and pop music markets, Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed multiple Grammy Award-winning and Oscar nominated producer, songwriter, arranger, artist and creative executive David Foster to Chairman of Verve Music Group. The announcement was made just before the holidays by UMG’s Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge, to whom he reports.

Based in Los Angeles, Mr. Foster will lead the creative operations of Verve, with a particular focus on identifying new talent and further developing UMG’s roster of adult music and pop artists. Under his leadership, Mr. Foster will build upon Verve’s legacy of nurturing great talent at a time when music lovers are now re-embracing the singer-songwriter artistry of the genre. Over the last several years, the adult contemporary music market has grown dramatically with increasing sales and a nationwide radio audience that has swelled to over 70 million, with Mr. Foster being a key driver of that growth.

“We are committed to expanding our A&R investment in all areas of music on a global basis, and the adult music, pop and jazz genres are very important to me,” stated Mr. Grainge. “With artists like Andrea Bocelli, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum, among many others, UMG already has one of the finest rosters in this area. With David at the helm, we’re now uniquely positioned for even more dramatic growth. He is one of music’s most versatile and prolific hit makers, and one of the industry’s most gifted developers of talent.”

In addition, joining Mr. Foster as part of his senior creative team are Jay Landers (Senior Vice President of A&R), Jaymes Foster (Senior Vice President of A&R) and producer/engineer Jochem van der Saag. The creative team will also include Dahlia Ambach Caplin, who currently serves as Vice President of A&R at Verve Music Group.

“Jay, Jaymes, Dahlia and Jochem represent the very best in creative leadership and business management,” added Mr. Foster. “Each possesses a wealth of experience and a real track record of success and innovation. I'm looking forward to working with them and the entire Verve team as we rapidly ramp up our operations.”

Mr. Foster, originally from Canada, is a multi-talented musician, record producer, songwriter, showman and all around hit-maker. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has produced a wide range of music superstars including Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey, Seal, Gloria Estefan, *NSYNC, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Cher, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, to name just a few. His productions have spawned dozens of No. 1 hits, including the highest selling soundtrack of all time The Bodyguard. He has earned 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy and Golden Globe, as well as three Academy Award nominations for his music. He was recently awarded Broadcast Music Inc’s (BMI) ICON Award, and is the creator of the widely successful ‘Hitman: Foster & Friends’ franchise which includes sold-out tours around the world.

Mr. Foster founded 143 Records, which launched the career of 30x platinum-selling phenoms The Corrs, singing sensation Josh Groban, whose CDs have sold well over 20 million copies, as well as Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé, who has sold over 35 million CDs worldwide, and introduced Filipino mega singer Charice to America. Earlier this year, he produced 10-year old “America’s Got Talent” star Jackie Evancho’s Platinum debut album.


THE 8TH ANNUAL MUSEXPO 2012 READIES FOR ITS BEST EVENT TO DATE



A&R Worldwide’s MUSEXPO (www.musexpo.net) Los Angeles, the highly respected “United Nations of Music,” will take place April 29 - May 2, 2012 at its new location at the W Hotel in Hollywood. MUSEXPO also follows on the heels of the Worldwide Radio Summit April 27-28 at the W Hotel (www.worldwideradiosummit.com), which will bring together hundreds of radio influencers from around the world.

Michael Chugg
Besides bringing together the global music, media and technology industries together for the only of its kind highly-focused event in the US, MUSEXPO will and will honour Michael Chugg, Founder, Chugg Entertainment as its “International Music Person of the Year.”Michael Chugg is considered a pioneer of the Australian music industry, boasting 40 years of experience in not only promoting international artists in the Australia and New Zealand markets, but also tirelessly touting Australian music to the rest of the world. He founded Michael Chugg Entertainment in 2000 and since then has promoted tours for more than 150 international artists, making the company one of the most prominent promoters in the world. Among the diverse roster of acts who have toured with Chugg over the years are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, The Who, R.E.M., Radiohead, John Mayer, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams and many others. Friends of Michael Chugg who wish to be a part of his commemorative publication to be presented at MUSEXPO should email info@anrworldwide.com for more details (no later than February 15th 2012).

Martin Kierszenbaum Steve Schnur Alexandra Patsavas George Ergatoudis

Joe Belliotti Ron Spaulding Folkert Koopmans

Many interested in building their global business and creative opportunities have signed up to attend MUSEPXO 2012. Already confirmed to speak and participate at MUSEXPO LA 2012 are Martin Kierszenbaum – Chairman of Cherrytree Records, President of A&R, Pop & Rock, Interscope Records & President of International Operations for Interscope/Geffen/A&M; Steve Schnur – Worldwide Head of Music & Marketing, EA Games; Michael Chugg – Founder, Chugg Entertainment (Australia); Alexandra Patsavas – Founder, Chop Shop Music Supervision; Mel Elias, CEO, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf; Craig Kallman – Chairman/CEO, Atlantic Records Group; Neil Lawi – General Manager, WWE Music Group; George Ergatoudis – Head of Music, BBC Radio 1 & 1 Xtra; Joe Belliotti – Director, Global Entertainment, Coca–Cola; Ralph Simon – CEO, The Mobilium International Advisory Group & Chairman Emeritus & Founder of the Mobile Ent. Forum – Americas (UK); Vijay Nair, Co–Founder, Only Much Louder (India); Ron Spaulding – President, Fontana Distribution; Jody Gerson – Co–President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Folkert Koopmans – Founder/Managing Director, FKP Scorpio (Germany); Jonathan Shalit – Chairman & CEO, Roar Global (UK); Fredrik Ekander – Co–Founder/CEO, Cosmos Music Group (Scandinavia); Paul Menes – Founder, Menes P.C.; Owen Sloane – Chair, Entertainment & Media Group, Gladstone Michel Weisberg Willner & Sloane, ALC; Michael Smith – Founder, The Playlist Generation; Sanne Hagelsten – Founder/East Coast Partner, ZYNC Music Group and many more major global influencers to be unveiled in the next few weeks.


In addition, the event will coincide with A&R Worldwide’s 3rd Annual Global Synch & Consumer Brands Summit taking place on May 2nd 2012 which will bring together over 60 music supervisors from film/TV, gaming and motion pictures music as well as brand marketers as part of its day long focus on music’s integration with visual media and consumer brands. The event also gives attendees an opportunity to interact and present their relevant music to various music supervisors working on current projects. The event has led to many dozens of licensing deals over the past two years. Companies such as Chop Shop, NBC Universal, Warner Bros. Pictures, EA Games, Coca-Cola, Pepsico., Xbox, Activision, Sony Playstation, The CW, Fox, Neophonic, The Weinstein Co., Lionsgate, MTV, Jim Beam, Gap, Radiate Group, The CW, Go Music Services, Sidney Frank Importing Co.,BET, Jimmy Kimmel Live, New Line Cinema, Media Arts Lab, JWT, Radiate Group and many others have participated.


Furthermore, A&R Worldwide will host the International Songwriting Summit “I Am Music” on Sunday, April 29th 2012 in partnership with MUSEXPO, AMV-Talpa (Germany) and Phrased Differently (UK).

The International Songwriting Summit “I Am Music” at MUSEXPO will bring together some of the world’s top creative minds that conceive “hit songs” including publishers, songwriters, A&R and other creative mindsets.

Mike Caren Evan Bogart Michael Taylor Jeff Sosnow Ron Burman Max Gousse

Sam Riback Jack Joseph Puig Jody Gerson Martin Kierszenbaum Teresa LaBarbera Whites

Already confirmed for the International Songwriting Summit are: Mike Caren – Executive Vice President A&R, Atlantic Records & Co–President of Elektra Records; Evan Bogart – Founder, Boardwalk Entertainment Group (songwriter for Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, etc.); Jeff Sosnow – A&R, Interscope Records; Ron Burman – Sr. VP A&R, Roadrunner Records; Michael Taylor – GM/Head of A&R, Island Records (Australia); Max Gousse – Sr. Vice–President A&R, Island Def Jam Music Group; Sam Riback – Vice President A&R, Atlantic Records; Jack Joseph Puig – A&R/producer (U2, No Doubt, Fergie (The Black Eyes Peas); Adrian Karvinen – Head of Int’l A&R, Family Tree/Razzia (Sweden); Jody Gerson – Co–President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Jens Markus–Wegner – Managing Director, AMV–Talpa (Germany); Martin Kierszenbaum – Chairman of Cherrytree Records, President of A&R, Pop & Rock, Interscope Records & President of International Operations for Interscope/Geffen/A&M; Teresa LaBarbera Whites – Sr. VP A&R Columbia Records and Pete Ganbarg – Head of A&R, Atlantic Records. Many more will be announced in the next coming weeks.

MUSEXPO will once again host some of the most inspiring executives from around the globe, as well as showcase the crème de la crème of emerging U.S. and international talent during the evening showcases at SIR Studios Los Angeles. The historic venue is located on the famed Sunset Boulevard, which is conveniently placed within a few minutes walking distance from the host hotel in Hollywood. SIR Studios is a place legendary artists such as Jane’s Addiction, Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry, KISS, Motley Crue, Green Day, No Doubt, Maroon 5 and many others call home. In addition, it is Los Angeles’ key showcase experience––where hundreds of legends have been born and signed to many labels and publishers. Showcase submissions are now being accepted for MUSEXPO 2012 – to submit click HERE.

During the past seven years, some of the world's most influential music, media and technology executives have participated at MUSEXPO, including: Larry King (CNN legend); Harvey Goldsmith – Founder, Harvey Goldsmith Presents; Tom Anderson – Co–Founder, MySpace; Chad Hurley – Co–Founder, YouTube; Will.i.Am (Black Eyed Peas); Jeff Smith – Head of Music, BBC Radio 2, UK; George Ergatoudis – Head of Music, BBC Radio 1; Joe Belliotti – Director of Global Entertainment, Coca–Cola; Nick Gatfield – Chairman/CEO, Sony Music Entertainment UK & Ireland; Craig Kallman – Chairman/CEO, Atlantic Records; Tim Westergren – Founder/CEO, Pandora Radio; Michael Rapino – Chairman/CEO, LiveNation; Marty Bandier – Chairman/CEO, Sony/ATV (Worldwide); Christian Tattersfield – Chairman/CEO Warner Bros. (UK); Kevin Wall – Founder/CEO, Control Room & Live Earth; Randy Jackson – Musician/Producer & judge on “American Idol”; Chris Barton – VP Development, Google/Android; Troy Carter – Founder, Atom Factory Inc. (worldwide manager Lady Gaga); Dave Holmes – Founder, 3D Management (worldwide manager Coldplay); Dave Navarro (ex–Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction); Gary Chen – CEO, Orca Digital/Top 100 (China); Steve Strange – Partner X–Ray Touring (Eminem, Ting Tings); Richard Russell – Founder, XL Recordings and, Perez Hilton – Founder, PerezHilton.com, among hundreds of others.

Deadline for the discounted early registration expires soon. Registration is required to attend and access MUSEXPO 2012, please click HERE to attend. (Registration includes access to the opening night wine-tasting networking reception on the rooftop of the W Hotel, all complimentary daily networking breakfasts, lunches, VIP awards luncheon, tea-breaks and cocktail parties, keynote panels, seminars, international networking lounge and artist showcases).


SWEDEN’S NOVA DELAI CONTINUES TO BUILD A&R / PUBLISHER BUZZ



Nova Delai, born Michelle Zarati, was featured in the A&R Worldwide newsletter last year and has since received abundant worldwide inquiries including multiple offers in various markets. Both industry and fans have considered the 17-year-old to be in the same league as Adele, Carole King, Caro Emerald and Birdy, due to her mature sound and smooth delivery.

Her talent radiates with “All For The Best” and “Slipping Into Sleep,” which was recorded live in the studio. Right now, she is attending Rytmus Music School in Sweden, where she will graduate next year, and is simultaneously working on recording her debut EP, with hopes of an early 2012 release.

Delai is presently gathering active interest from labels, publishers and booking agents across Europe, N. America and the UK. A&R Worldwide has been guiding Delai’s management with crucial insight into areas of opportunity for this astonishing singer/songwriter. Given A&R Worldwide’s early discovery and/or development for acts such as Dido, Ting Tings, Muse, Keane, Duffy, LMFAO, Bonnie McKee (songwriter for Katy Perry, Britney Spears & Taio Cruz) and many others, it will be no surprise to see Nova Delai become a global superstar in the not-too-distant future.

Click HERE to hear the final advance streaming of the mix for “Slipping Into Sleep,” and hear for yourself the early makings of a star. Delai is currently available for worldwide signing, licensing, publishing and booking and is represented by Kabiru Bello. For more information, contact info@anrworldwide.com.


GLOBAL NEWS UPDATES…



Digital music sales have made history in 2011, finally outpacing the sales of physical product. The sales of digital music have increased 8.4% from 2010, as physical album sales saw a decrease of 5%. The year belonged to Adele, whose sophomore album 21, saw the most online and physical sales. The UK singer songwriter also had the biggest selling digital single of the year with “Rolling in the Deep.” Adele sold 5.82 million copies of her album in the U.S., the most since 2004's Confessions by Usher. Adele’s manager Jonathan Dickins told A&R Worldwide last year that he expected Adele’s album 21 to sell at least over 20 million albums worldwide...looks like he’s on track with his prediction with combined global album sales.

Ricardo Fernandez formally General Manager/A&R at Geffen Records in the UK tells A&R Worldwide he recently returned to Sony Music in London in a senior A&R position to work with label President Colin Barlow, whom Fernandez worked with whilst at Geffen.

EMI Music Publishing has launched a lawsuit against Grooveshark’s parent company, Escape Media Group, stating that the company hasn't made a single royalty payment to EMI since a deal was made in 2009. EMI is asking for at least $150,000 in royalties. Grooveshark is currently facing copyright infringement lawsuits from UMG, WMG and Sony.

Playground Music Publishing, which is the publishing arm of Playground Music Scandinavia has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sala, Sweden-based act Navet.

Los Angeles-based electro-pop act Kidforce has inked a worldwide publishing deal with Pangaea Publishing. The 22 year-old unsigned artist has been described as an alternative, dirty-pop leaning version of LMFAO.

Music publisher Peter Lloyd tells A&R Worldwide he has joined Pulse Music Publishing to run the company’s operations at its Los Angeles-based office. Lloyd was previously at Razor & Tie.

Video games singer Lana Del Rey has announced the signing of a contract with the Next Model Management agency. Del Rey joins the company’s talent wing, which has seen the likes of Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and Alexa Chung work with them as well as modeling heavyweights such as Karlie Kloss and Abbey Lee Kershaw.

Twenty First Artists have announced an agreement with Parallel Management, which will see the London based urban/pop specialists joining the Twenty First Artists management group. Parallel Management, which was launched 18 months ago by Sam Adebayo and Ish Olokunbola, will bring their existing roster of clients, who include hotly-tipped artist Angel, and production team Parallel, which includes of Angel, Kassa Alexander and Victoria Akintolato, to Twenty First Artists and will help spearhead the company’s activities in urban and pop moving forward.

Andrew Jenkins, EVP Asia/Pacific Region and Industry Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group recently announced the promotion of Ryan Hill to Managing Director, Universal Music Publishing South Africa. Mr. Hill will report to Andrew Jenkins and Harry Voerman, Managing Director, Universal Music South Africa. Mr. Hill was previously General Manager, UMP South Africa.

BMG has announcd that the production- and writing team The Amplifiers has signed a worldwide exclusive songwriter agreement with BMG (Edition You CAN Buy Taste / BMG Rights Management). The Amplifiers is composed of Tom Olbrich and Philipp Schardt, a highly creative duo whose credits include German gold-status “Nur In Meinem Kopf” by Andreas Bourani as well as his song “Eisberg”. Recent works such as “Beating Like A Heart” by Bullmeister and the X-Factor Germany 2011 finals single “Build a Palace” by Nica & Joe.

Multi-Platinum selling UK pop act Sugababes are said to be reforming with their original lineup, which includes Keisha Buchanan, Siobhan Donaghy and Mutya Buena. It’s rumored that the girls will work with production and songwriting team Xenomania (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys) and will be managed by Felix Howard (EMI Music Publishing A&R executive based in London).

Spek Hussain, Managing Director of Fairwood Arabia has left the publisher and set-up a new venture called PopArabia with twofour54. Hussain tells A&R Worldwide that twofour54 is an initiative by the Abu Dhabi government to create an entertainment and content creation hub in the Arab world, using Abu Dhabi as the center of that development. PopArabia is twofour54's first investment in the music space. Hussain states, “I’m really excited about this next step and I’m ooking forward to discussing potential work together with new partners in the coming year and ahead!”

In A&R executive news from the A&R Registry it’s been announced that Thom Pununzio and Evan Peters have both left Interscope, Alex Shenitsky has exited Capitol, Joe Poindexter has left Hollywood Records and Leslie Dweck has departed Atlantic Records. Also, Republic/Universal A&R executive Tom MacKay has moved from New York City to the label’s Los Angeles-based headquarters.

Analysts state that Google+ is on track to hit 400 million users by the end of 2012 following its strongest ever month of traffic in December. Experian Hitwise stated that the new social network experienced a huge traffic spike at the end of last year with 49 million visits last month, up 55% compared to November 2011.

A&R Worldwide will be at Midem 2012 in Cannes, France at our stand 18.01. If you would like to meet with our team regarding any assistance you need with your global creative and business strategies and our services may be of help, please email info@anrworldwide.com no later than Friday, January 13th 2012.


IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jamie Nelson, Nick Gatfield, Steve Blatter, Michael Rapino, Ron Spaulding, Deville Schober, Joe Cuello, Jason Flom, David Vodicka, Mark Wood, John Rudolph and Nic Harcourt.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A&R Worldwide received this photo from a friend who was in Barbados a few weeks ago. It’s a photo from the Animal Sanctuary annual auction in Barbardos, which is a cause supported by Jonathan Shalit, Chairman, ROAR Global (left) and TV personality and music and media guru Simon Cowell (right). Also attending the Barbados break this year were Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge and Sony/ATV Chairman & CEO Marty Bandier along with Andrew Lloyd Webber and a number of others. According to sources the Animal Sanctuary event raised over $500,000 at the Barbados event.


JACKASS OF THE WEEK

Have you ever sent a personal IM to the wrong screen name, accidentally replied “send all” on an E–mail, or made a total ass of yourself? Yes, we’ve all had a jackass moment at one time or another in our life. This week, we show you a BMX bike jackass! Click HERE to watch this idiot escape death by just a few feet – not a good way to start the new year!


A&R WORLDWIDE’S "ARTIST OF THE WEEK" – ALFRED HALL



Give a couple of part time farmhands some guitars and synths, and they’ll make sweet, sweet sophisticated pop; sometimes things really are that simple. Alfred Hall is the band that has managed to find the perfect pop formula on their first attempt; something other bands spend years trying to figure out. What this duo, consisting of Hans Thomas Kiær and Bjørn Tveit, has to offer is pure star spangled pop heaven. “So Bright” has been a hit on Norwegian radio and big favorite on the int’l syndicated radio program Passport Approved, and the debut album is on its way. The band has been working with the production company that originally developed pre-signing Ting Tings and Ida Maria. After the band’s second gig ever, the rave reviews started coming in, and the band quickly became Norway’s “The band to watch” in 2012. After their gig supporting Wolf Gang in Oslo, Scandinavian music mag GAFFA's Øyvind Rones stated “... The most refreshing performance I have seen and heard from a Norwegian band in ages... Such beautiful pop music is hard to come by." For additional details on the duo, including signing, licensing, publishing, booking you may contact Kai Robøle of Waterfall Music at kai@waterfall.no. Click HERE to listen to “So Bright.”


A&R WORLDWIDE’S "VIDEO OF THE WEEK" – THE GRAEME WATKINS PROJECT

After displaying his talent as the runner up to the winner in Season 5’s SA Idol contest, Graeme Watkins vowed a return to the big stage. That promise has been kept and he did it on his own terms as a fully-fledged musician with a band, amply titled The Graeme Watkins Project. GWP produces one of the biggest sounds around, bringing their dirty, edgy, rough approach to a medley of pop, indie, rock and electronic genres as A&R Worldwide witnessed after seeing the band play in Johannesburg, South Africa last year. With such influences as The Killers and Depeche Mode, this unit has managed to break the cookie cutter mold of stereotypical South African Pop Rock bands by providing fresh and original tracks. “London Bridge” is the latest video clip from their debut album, Corridors of the Mind. The visual displays Graeme's charisma and captures the collective's amazing live performance, which was directed by Bevan Cullinan of Fresheye Films. For signing, licensing, booking and publishing inquiries about The Graeme Watkins Project, contact Damon Forbes of Sheer Sound at damon@sheer.co.za.


PASSPORT APPROVED™ PLAYLIST – 1/7/2012



PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Saturday, January 7th 2012: The two-hour weekly import show. As heard on KNRK Portland (now with a “Passport Approved Daily” segment on KNRK Portland); KCMPThe Current, Minneapolis; WCNR Charlottesville, VA; “YRockOnXPN” WXPN Philadelphia; WEQX Manchester, VT/Albany, NY; on www.indie1031.com and www.moheak.com in the United States and its own 24-hour Passport Approved radio channel on Y! Music (on Yahoo!). Also, on the worldwide web and twice weekly segment on Flux FM Germany (Berlin, Brandenburg and Stuttgart) , as well as weekly show on Japan’s national radio network Tokyo FM.

Listen to this two-hour show by clicking HERE:

ALL MANKIND – “Magic Moment” (SO Recordings, UK)
HUCK FINN – “Charles Dickens” (Unsigned, Switzerland)
HUSKY – “History’s Door” (Liberation, Australia)
SHADOWCLUB – “Good Morning Killer” (Just Music, South Africa)
NOVA DELAI – “Moon Song” (Unsigned, Sweden)
THE FAST FORWARDS – “Over The Surface” (Rockhit Records, Sweden)
THE GRAEME WATKINS PROJECT – “Bloodshot Eyes” (Sheer Sound, Africa)
THE SECRET WHISPER – “Remember When” (Unsigned, Australia)
ALFRED HALL – “So Bright” (Waterfall Music, UK)
SUMMER CAMP – “Better Off Without You” (Moshi Moshi, UK)
ECHOTAPE – “The Sky Above Quarley Hill” (Unsigned, UK)
LEAGUE - “Golden Maps” (Unsigned, Portugal)
SBTRKT – “Wildfire” (Young Turks, UK)
THE CHEMIST – “Lullaby #1 (Mercy)” (Warner Music, Australia)
ANDY BULL – “Last Waltz (Featuring Hungry Kids Of Hungry)” (Island, Australia)
MIDNIGHT YOUTH – “Too Young To Wonder” (Warner, New Zealand)
RALPH MYERZ – “Forever Yourz” (import, Norway)
LONEHILL ESTATE – “Daans!” (Electromode, South Africa) South Africa)
BLONDE ON BLONDE – “Oh My Oh My” (Unisigned, Australia)
FRIENDS OF EMMET – “No Surprise” (Unsigned, Ireland)
JOAKIM – “Forever Young” (Tigersushi, France)
STRANGERS – “This Year” (Unsigned, UK)
EMPERORS – “Plastic Guns” (Gun Fever, Australia)
BIRDY – “1901” (Unsigned, New Zealand)
SIX60 – “Only To Be” (Massive Ent’t/Universal/Kiwi Hit Disc 144, New Zealand)
DAUGHTER – “Home” (unsigned, UK)

(Check out the Passport Approved Radio “Featured Artists” on the daily profile exclusively on AllAccess.com including Mads Langer, Dead Letter Circus, Daughter, Kingston and To Kill A King).