Seeker Music Group, the music rights, publishing and record company led by songwriter Evan Bogart has successfully closed its inaugural $267 million asset backed securitization, with backing from international savings and investment business M&G. Backed by Seeker Music’s portfolio, the notes were rated by Fitch, Kroll, and S&P. Barclays acted as sole structuring and lead placement agent, with MUFG serving as joint placement agent. The deal enables Seeker to continue expanding its music catalog, invest in talent and modernize its rights management through technology.
The company’s catalog includes more than 19,000 copyrights and master recordings including songs written and recorded by Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Christopher Cross, Drake, Joan Jett, Lewis Capaldi, Run the Jewels, SWV, and more. (Pictured above, L-R: Chief Creative Officer Steven Melrose, CEO Evan Bogart, Chief Financial Officer Todd von Mende, Chief Rights and Royalties Officer Jennifer Blakeman, and General Counsel Dan Stuart.)
Bogart said, “This is an important moment for Seeker and for the music we champion. Together with M&G, we’ve created a home where songs and legacies get the respect they deserve – and this capital empowers us to move even faster. We’re expanding our creative footprint and proving that a creator-led model is the future of music rights management and the standard the modern industry demands.”
Stéphane Rummelhard, Director, Head of Royalties and Asset-Based Equity at M&G, said: “This transaction reflects the increasing sophistication of music royalty financing and its evolution as a long-term asset class. By applying institutional grade structuring to high-quality music IP, we’re enabling Seeker to finance its growth in a way that supports the long-term stewardship of catalogues, continued investment in creativity, and the ability for songs to reach new audiences over time.”
+ Warner Records Nashville has announced several promotions and a new hire for the recently rebranded label.
Reporting to chair-president Cris Lacy are Patrick Sabatini, now executive VP of operations and business & legal; Kristen Williams, now executive VP of radio & commercial partnerships; and Victoria Mason, now executive VP of marketing. Brooke Hardesty has been upped to senior VP of digital marketing and reports to Mason. In the A&R department, Rohan Kohli has been promoted to senior VP; and Austin Jenkins joins the team as senior VP from his previous position at MCA and Lucille Records. Both report to Lacy.
“It’s a privilege to make music with such strong leaders who embody and uphold our core values. We meet artists where they are. We share the belief that our artists are the source of truth,” says Lacy. “Protecting, igniting, and evangelizing their influence across the global stage is the foundation of everything we do. An unwavering commitment to this ideal has propelled the iconic careers of Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Gabby Barrett and Randy Travis, and has inspired the aggressive campaigns driving next-gen superstars like Gavin Adcock, Avery Anna, Chase Matthew, Hudson Westbrook, Bailey Zimmerman, and many more.”
+ Singer-songwriter Jenna Andrews, who has written songs for BTS, Drake, Jennifer Lopez and others, along with business partners Stephen Kirk and John Gray and their company Graffiti, have launched a joint venture with former Empire Nashville exec Heather Vassar and her company Casual through the Orchard.
Kirk said, “The goal in music for me has always been to make records that I believe in with people that I believe in. This partnership is that goal realized. Jenna and Heather set the standard for women in this business, and it’s an honor to fight alongside them for songs, artists, and creatives.”
Andrews added, “When we first met Heather, I knew that she was aligned with our vision to break artists; her attention to detail and true passion for music are what make us such a great partnership.”
+ On a related note, the Orchard has named Vassar its senior VP of Nashville. She will report to Colleen Theis, the company’s president and COO. In the role, she is charged with guiding the company’s Nashville operation, driving new relationships with the city’s independent music community and overseeing day-to-day operations. She will will continue to maintain ownership of her music and media company Casual Media Partners.
Theis said, “We are excited to welcome Heather to The Orchard. Heather brings an invaluable level of expertise to our organization, given her deep-rooted relationships within the Nashville market and significant connections throughout the wider music industry.”
+ Records Nashville and Columbia Records have signed rising Australian country artist Mack Geiger, whose latest single “String by” hit the Billboard Hot Country chart. who is managed by Goldspur Entertainment, welcoming the Central Queensland native to the label as he continues building international momentum.
“We are very excited to welcome the talented Australian country singer/songwriter Mack Geiger to the Records Nashville family,” said Joe Fisher, Executive Vice President, A&R at RECORDS Nashville. “Mack’s distinct sound and terrific live performances have already earned him an incredible streaming presence globally and positioned him as a promising new voice in the modern country scene.”
+ Atlanta-based record label and management company Love Renaissance (LVRN Records), home to Summer Walker, 6LACK, Odeal and others, has announced three executive appointments across A&R, legal affairs, and finance:
Erica Grayson has the company as senior VP of Global A&R, where she will oversee the label’s A&R team and global roster across both LVRN Records and LVRN Publishing. She was previously with Interscope Records, NBCUniversal, Amazon and Sony Publishing, and she is also a Black Reel Award–winning music supervisor for “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.”
Selitta Legrand has joined the company as head of business and legal affairs. She was previously director of business and legal affairs at Saban Music Group, counsel at Empore, and most recently of-counsel at Plummer Law Group, PC in their its music group.
Finally, Angela Alvino has joined as vice president of accounting & operations. She previously held senior roles at City Winery, Icon Parking, and Razor & Tie.
+ Firebird has entered into a strategic partnership with U.K.-based artist management company Goodlife Management, home to Fred Again, the Blessed Madonna, Ki/Ki, and others. Music Business Worldwide reports that Firebird has acquired a majority stake in the company.
The deal brings Goodlife founders Oliver Sasse, Lucy Sasse, Ellie Shaw and David Watters and their team and roster into Firebird’s ecosystem of management companies, which already includes Mick Management, Red Light Management, Jet Management, Hills Artists and Special Projects.
As part of the deal, Oliver Sasse will take on a senior adviser role at Firebird, tasked with identifying acquisition opportunities across the dance and electronic music space. Firebird CEO Nathan Hubbard said the company plans to deploy “upwards of half a billion dollars in capital over the coming 24 months into artist partnerships,” having already deployed over $300 million to date. Firebird was founded in 2022 by former Ticketmaster CEO Hubbard and music industry veteran Nat Zilkha, with Raine Group as its lead investor.
+ The Press House publicity and partnerships agency has named Alyssa Beach as its Nashville director, joining founder-CEO Dawn Kamerling, vice president Crystal Henderson, and West Coast director Chloe Gonzalez as part of the agency’s senior team. Beach will oversee Nashville-based client strategy and partnerships, while contributing across the agency’s core services, including media relations, strategic communications, event production, brand partnerships, and social media.
“Alyssa brings both creative depth and operational precision,” said Kamerling. “We’ve been deeply engaged in Nashville for years, and bringing her on as Director allows us to build on that foundation with dedicated, on-the-ground leadership. She understands how to support artists while executing at the level our clients expect.”
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