US-based independent music company Exceleration Music in partnership with Tokyo-based rights administrator and distributor NexTone have acquired the recording and publishing catalog of Ryuichi Sakamoto directly from the Sakamoto estate. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

As per the agreement, Exceleration Music will manage and collect income for the catalogues' rights outside of Asia, with NexTone overseeing operations within Asia, partnering with Fuji Pacific for publishing rights a...

Independent music company Reservoir Media has signed singer-songwriter Jarrett Doherty, the frontman of alt-pop/rock duo Jady, to a worldwide publishing agreement, in a deal that includes Doherty’s full catalogue and future works. This is the first signing through Reservoir’s newly launched joint venture with Tinman, the publishing company founded by Reservoir writer Sam Tinnesz.“A couple years ago I began writing with other people," explained Doherty. "Not far into that journey I met Sam Tinnes...

Digital music licensing society for the independent sector Merlin has appointed Harmen Hemminga as Vice President, Business Development. Hemminga joins Merlin from Downtown Music, where he most recently served as VP Product & Services Strategy. In his newly created role, Hemminga will "work cross functionally to help identify, evaluate and execute strategic opportunities that deliver value to Merlin’s global membership." He reports directly to CEO Charlie Lexton. “Harmen is an innovative th...