“Since its inception, Sony Music Publishing has supported the careers of songwriters and continues to defend their rights,” Chairman/CEO Jon Platt said in a statement. “Returning to the Sony Music Publishing name reconnects us to our legacy and further unifies our mission and culture with the Sony Corporation. Our new brand embodies a modern vision to be an authentic reflection of the music and songwriters we represent.
Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer added that “Jon and the company are charting a new course for the business and an exciting path forward for its songwriters and its people.” Whenasked a Sony representative for specifics surrounding any possible new initiatives, hires, and/or department expansions, the rep would only say that the company is “continuing to grow into emerging markets and expand services for its songwriters — especially as they relate to royalties and how they are compensated.
This language echoes decisions Platt made in the months immediately following his move from Warner/Chappell to Sony/ATV in 2019. That’s when the company claimed to significantly upgrade its payment systems, launchinglike the “Cash Out” service, which allowed writers to withdraw royalties before they were due. Sony also introduced real-time foreign royalty payments, which expedite earnings from overseas to be paid out in the same period that they are earned.
In the last month, Sony’s publishing arm created a new “catalogue development” role, bringing former Warner Records executive Liz Lewis on board as a senior vice president in the space, as well as hiring a new international vice president of human resources, Sonia Grant-Yendell. It’s likely that announcements of these natures — and more — will only continue to roll in.