Sony Music Publishing

Sony Music Publishing

http://www.sonymusicpub.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonymusicpub/

Sony Music Publishing, a privately owned company headquartered in the US and a subsidiary of Sony Group, was founded in 1955 and operates with approximately 1250 employees. The company manages a vast collection of music catalogues, representing both classic and contemporary songwriters. Its classic catalogues include works by The Beatles, Queen, Motown, Carole King, Leiber & Stoller, Leonard Cohen, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and The Rolling Stones. The company also represents contemporary songwriters such as Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Calvin Harris, Daddy Yankee, Gabby Barrett, Jay-Z, Luke Bryan, Maluma, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Sara Bareilles, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and Travis Scott.

Revenue

Founded

1955

Headcount

1,246

Headquarters

US

Primary Segment

Musicians

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

On April 29, 2026, Sony Music Publishing was recognized as Publisher of the Year at the 2026 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, where Amy Allen won Songwriter of the Year and "Die with a Smile" was honored as Song of the Year. Previously, on March 31, Sony Music Publishing promoted Shane Knotts to Senior Vice President of Global Royalties. Knotts, who has been with the company for over 30 years, will continue to lead the Global Royalty Centre while expanding his focus on enhancing data accuracy, advancing royalty matching through AI and machine learning, and strengthening systems to support the long-term growth of the company and its songwriters. Based out of Nashville, he will continue to report to Dale Esworthy, EVP Worldwide Administration.

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May

22nd

2026

11:47

Management Changes, B2B Tag

Executive Turntable: Sony Music Publishing Elevates ZaZa Kazadi, Guitar Center Adds to Board

Sony Music Publishing has promoted ZaZa Kazadi to senior director of A&R, U.K. and Europe. He will remain based in the company’s London office. In his new role, Kazadi will be responsible for expanding opportunities for songwriters in the U.K. and Europe with a focus on hip-hop, rap, R&B and Afro genres.

May

22nd

2026

01:00

Latest Music Industry Hires: Ivors Academy, Secretly Distribution, MNRK, Spin Magazine, IDOL, UK Music, Sony Music Publishing, More

Hannah Angst, Secretly Distribution’s director of label and shared services. Photo Credit: Secretly Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of May 22nd, 2026. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears.

Digital Music News

May

20th

2026

01:00

Management Changes, B2B Tag

Sony Music Publishing promotes ZaZa Kazadi to Senior Director, A&R, UK & Europe

Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has promoted ZaZa Kazadi to Senior Director, A&R, UK & Europe. Kazadi will continue to be based out of the company’s London office, with his expanded remit covering songwriters across the UK and Europe.

Music Business Worldwide

May

20th

2026

01:00

In tune. Informed. Indispensable

Sony Music Publishing UK (SMP UK) announced a new worldwide publishing agreement with globally renowned songwriter, producer and artist MNEK, which will include future works written by the hitmaker. A multi-platinum certified songwriter, producer and artist based in London and LA, MNEK has become one of the most exciting creatives coming out of the UK.

Record of the Day

May

18th

2026

23:37

Sony Music Publishing UK Signs Superstar Songwriter and Producer MNEK To Global Deal

Today, Sony Music Publishing UK (SMP UK) announced a new worldwide publishing agreement with globally renowned songwriter, producer and artist MNEK, which will include future works written by the hitmaker. A multi-platinum certified songwriter, producer and artist based in London and LA, MNEK has become one of the most exciting creatives coming out of the UK.

May

18th

2026

01:00

Events, Emerging Tech, Awards and Recognitions, B2B Tag

In tune. Informed. Indispensable

19 May 2026 | Press release Shakira wins BIG against the Spanish Tax authority and is proven innocent Spanish Tax Authority is held accountable and forced to return 60 million EUR plus interest and legal

Record of the Day

May

15th

2026

12:07

Capital Investment, Procurement and Sales, Emerging Tech, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Tag

Mexico Emerges as AI Hardware Assembly Hub: Tech Week

This week, Sony Music Publishing’s US$4 billion catalog acquisition reinforced the scale race in intellectual property markets, while Mexico’s growing imports from Taiwan highlighted the country’s emergence as a strategic AI hardware assembly hub within North American supply chains.

Mexico Business

May

15th

2026

01:00

From Sony Music Publishing’s $4 billion catalog deal to Live Nation’s ‘blue dot fever’ rebuttal… it’s MBW’s weekly round

Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s Weekly Round-up – where we make sure you caught the five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days. MBW’s Round-up is exclusively supported by BMI, a global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music.

Music Business Worldwide

May

13th

2026

07:26

Capital Investment, B2B Tag

GIC and Sony Music Publishing acquire 45,000-song catalogue

Sony Music Publishing has agreed to acquire the complete music rights portfolio of Recognition Music Group from funds managed by Blackstone, in a transaction supported by GIC , Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, through its joint investment venture with Sony Music Group.

Singapore Business Review

May

13th

2026

02:58

Events, Awards and Recognitions, B2B Tag

Sony Music Publishing Wins Publisher of the Year at 2026 BMI Pop Music Awards

Sony Music Publishing and its songwriters were celebrated with top honors at the 2026 BMI Pop Music Awards, held on May 12 in Los Angeles, CA. Sony Music Publishing was named BMI’s Pop Publisher of the Year, with SMP songwriters awarded across twenty-four of the past year’s most performed pop songs.

May

12th

2026

01:00

$4 Billion Sony Deal Brings Major Song Catalog Under One Roof

Sony Music Publishing is reportedly set to acquire Recognition Music in a $4 billion deal. The acquisition would bring a massive catalog of iconic songs under Sony’s umbrella, including tracks recorded by legendary acts like Fleetwood Mac, Bon Jovi, and Journey.

May

12th

2026

01:00

‘Put a ring on it’: Sony-GIC venture acquires Beyonce, Bruno Mars music catalogue

[SINGAPORE] Sony Music Publishing has agreed to acquire the complete music rights portfolio of Recognition Music Group, which includes over 45,000 songs by the likes of Beyonce and Bruno Mars. The deal involves an investment venture between Sony Music Group and Singapore’s GIC, the music giant announced in a statement on Monday (May 11).

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