ImageM News

Gershwin

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:28:31 GMT

Imagem Music USA has signed a multi-year agreement with the Arthur Gershwin Testamentary Trust to administer the work George Gershwin created during the last three years of his life, including the songs featured in Porgy and Bess, Shall We Dance, A Damsel In Distress, and The Goldwyn Follies.
Gershwin's compositions embraced both popular and classical genres; this portion of the catalogue includes recognizable standards such as "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "A Foggy Day," "They All Laughed," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "It Ain't Necessarily So," and "Summertime."

Gershwin's works are performed today with greater frequency than they were during his brief lifetime. Countless singers and musicians have recorded his works including Janis Joplin, Diana Ross, Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Sting, and Amy Winehouse. Porgy and Bess was revived most recently in 2012 and many Gershwin songs are featured in Tony Award Winning Nice Work If You Can Get It, currently on Broadway.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the entire Imagem team," commented Marc George Gershwin. "We look forward to collaborating with such a uniquely qualified organization on finding ways to share George Gershwin's music with the world."

"The chance towork with musical masterpieces by Gershwin is rare," said Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music. "We feel very fortunate that Marc and his family have chosen us as a partner when they could have gone anywhere. Continuing the legacy of the songs through aggressive promotion is our number one priority."

Imagem Music signs J.Sol & Arch Tha Boss

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:02:34 GMT

As part of an ongoing joint venture with Ludacris, Read & Write Publishing, Imagem Music USA has signed worldwide, multi-year co-publishing agreements with singer/songwriter J. Sol and producer Arch Tha Boss.

J. Sol, a Brooklyn native from a musical family, gained attention and exposure from radio personalities including Wendy Williams and Funk Master Flex with his debut release "Born to Love You." He has since toured with Grammy Award-winner Ne-Yo and written extensively with award-winning Nigerian artist D'Banj. He also co-wrote and is featured on "Top of the World," the theme song for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

"I'm beyond excited about working with Imagem," said J. Sol. "So far their team has been extremely hands on and accommodating. I'm really looking forward to a very successful and game changing partnership."

"J. Sol is Curtis Mayfield's 'Pusherman' mixed with Ne-Yo's 'Let Me Love You.' I am simply honored to have him as a part of the team and plan on making history with him," commented Sean Famoso, Director of Creative at Read & Write.
Arch Tha Boss, born Armond Redman, started making beats as a teenager for local artists in his hometown of Mt. Vernon, IL. As he used the internet to market himself to the world, he forged a Twitter relationship with rapper/producer Yung Berg which led to his signing with Yung Fly Movement (YFM). Today Arch is best known for producing Driicky Graham's "Snapbacks and Tattoos" which went gold last year. He has also collaborated with Nipsey Hussle, Los, and Mia Rey and is currently in Atlanta working on Future's forthcoming release.
"I'm excited about doing this deal with Imagem and am ready to see what the future has in store for us," mentioned Arch.

Famoso remarked, "Arch's sound is way before his time and once the world catches up he will probably be unstoppable. I can't wait until the masses get to enjoy what I've had the pleasure of hearing first!"

"J. Sol just gets what it takes to be successful and Arch is a breath of fresh air on the production end," said DJ Tunde, Director of A&R at Read & Write. "I'm looking forward to lots of success with both our new signees."

Los Angeles Office

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:18:39 GMT

Imagem Music, the world's largest indie music publisher, is pleased to announce the company's expansion with a new location in Los Angeles. As the company grows and continues to maximize global opportunities for its songwriters, an office has been opened at 9165 West Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, close to the heart of the Film & TV community.

Imagem Music is pleased to welcome some of the industry's top talent to the West Coast office. Joining the Imagem Music LA team is Shari Reich, Director of A&R. Shari comes to Imagem from Warner Bros. Records in Burbank where she was Director of A&R. At Warner Bros. Records, Reich contributed to albums from artists such as The Veronicas, Jason Derulo, Cher, and Josh Groban and worked closely with the licensing and sync department for song placement pertaining to Warner Bros. catalog in film, television, advertisement and web content. In her new role at Imagem, Reich will be working on acquisitions and song plugging.

Robert Thomas has been named Manager, Creative Services for Imagem's West Coast office. Previously, Thomas was a Licensing Accounting Manager at Rumblefish. His other work experience includes a Coordinator role in the Film & TV department of BMG/Universal Music Publishing in LA and a Consultant at Creative Control Music Supervision in LA. At Imagem, Thomas will be working in the synch department with a sharp focus on Film & TV.

Steve King, who is based in LA for Imagem Music, has been promoted to Director, Creative Services. He was formerly Manager, Creative Services. Before starting with Imagem, King owned an artists and brand development company. Among many projects, he worked on music for global Coca-Cola campaigns such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics, "Open Happiness" song and 2010 South African World Cup. In King's almost 4 years with Imagem, he has been instrumental in procuring opportunities in film, television and gaming. He will now oversee the U.S. Creative Services team, across all media types for synch.

Imagem has promoted Brian Suh, based in LA, to Director, Business & Legal Affairs. He was formerly Associate Director, Business & Legal Affairs. Suh will continue to handle Business Affairs matters for Imagem Music.

In addition, Lauren Shulkey-Barker will be joining Imagem's West Coast office and supporting the team as Creative Assistant.

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley and Sammy Cahn catalogues as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein). For more, visit: www.imagem.com

Imagem Music signs TRAXSTER

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:20:51 GMT

Imagem Music has signed a worldwide, multi-year administration deal with hip-hop producer The Legendary Traxster (a.k.a. Sam Lindley). Traxster is best known for producing the Certified Platinum & Grammy nominated Smash, "My Chick Bad" by Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj. The single helped land Ludacris a #1 album on the Billboard 200 as well as Nicki Minaj her first Grammy nomination.

In 2005 he earned his own Grammy nomination for his work with Mariah Carey, co-writing and producing the track, "One and Only" on her 2005 release of "The Emancipation of Mimi" which sold over 10 million albums worldwide. In 2009, Traxster produced six songs on Twista's Category F5, including the hit single "Wetter," which helped land the album at #1 on the Billboard Rap album chart. Their collaboration continued when Traxster produced 10 tracks on Twista's most recent album The Perfect Storm. His most recent hit singles, "I Do It" by Big Sean and "Make a Movie" by Twista ft. Chris Brown, sat in the top 40 R&B/Hip Hop Billboard charts for over 35 weeks. Big Sean T.I., Chris Brown, Waka Flocka, Ray J, Yo Gotti, Lil Bossie, Cam'ron, Scarface, Bun B, Mystikal, E-40, WC, C-Bo, Static Major, Tech N9ne & The Outlawz have all used Traxster production.

"I am extremely excited to be working with my new team at Imagem Music. They get it! From their creative team to the back office they have shown incredible vision and focus. I am humbled by their belief in me," said Traxster of the signing.
"I couldn't be more excited about Traxster joining the Imagem family. He's truly a legend in his own right, having heavily influenced the Chicago hip hop sound made known worldwide by acts like Twista and Kanye West, " said Amanda Schupf, A&R Director at Imagem Music. "I believe now is his time to become a household name likes the acts he's helped propel and I'm excited to partner with him at this time and help him achieve his next level of success."

Imagem Music Expands Deal with Charles Strouse to Worldwide

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:23:20 GMT

Imagem Music is pleased to announce that it has expanded its administration deal with Charles Strouse from US to worldwide. Strouse, who is one of America's most successful musical theatre composers, is perhaps best known for his Tony winning smash hit musicals ANNIE (currently back on Broadway), BYE BYE BIRDIE and APPLAUSE, yielding a remarkable roster of standards, including "Tomorrow," "It's a Hard-Knock Life," "Put on a Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' To Do," and "Applause."

Strouse's prolific catalogue of stage musicals also includes RAGS (licensed by R&H Theatricals), GOLDEN BOY, ALL AMERICAN and IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN (which will be seen at New York City Center's Encores! series in March 2013.) His film scores include BONNIE & CLYDE, THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY'S, and ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. In 1999, ASCAP presented Charles Strouse with their coveted Richard Rodgers Award for his achievement in musical theatre and he remains a long-standing member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Mr. Strouse studied under Aaron Copland and Nadia Boulanger. In 1977, in just one of many ways in which he has sought to pass on his experience to others, Mr. Strouse founded the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in New York, through which countless young composers and lyricists have found a forum for their work.

Jens-Markus Wegener Appointed Managing Director

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:39:40 GMT

Jens-Markus Wegener has been appointed Managing Director of Imagem Music GmbH as of 1 February 2013, based in Imagem's Berlin office.

"Bringing Jens into our Berlin office is an exciting step for us," says Imagem Music Group CEO André de Raaff. "Germany is one of the world's leading music markets and Imagem Music had a very successful year there in 2012. We want to develop our German company rapidly, and see great possibilities to achieve this with the help of Jens, with regard to exploiting our own catalogues/writers, signing and developing German writers, and concluding admin/sub-publishing deals. Jens, whom I know and have followed for a long time already, is one of the best music publishing executives in the German market, so I'm excited to grow our German company with him and Winfried Jacobs."

Winfried Jacobs (Chief Executive, Imagem Germany): "I am confident that the recruitment of such an experienced music publisher as Jens-Markus Wegener as Managing Director of Imagem Music GmbH will help tremendously to expand our German pop music publishing business. Following the great success of its first year, Imagem Music GmbH is poised to grow even more dramatically this year, with Jens joining a stellar team lead by Artists & Repertoire Manager Alex von Harsdorf that is both young and experienced."

Jens-Markus Wegener: "The first time I met André de Raaff was when he was MD of Arcade. I always liked his straight-forward business attitude and his visions about the entire music market. Since André launched the Imagem Music Group a few years ago, I have observed how he combined caution with a big vision to build up one of the most interesting international publishing companies on the scene today. I am very honoured to become part of his team now as we continue to build on the successful growth of Imagem Music GmbH."

About Jens-Markus Wegener

Jens-Markus Wegener began his career in the late '80s with publicity and marketing, including radio, print media and club promotion through his firm, Public Propaganda, with representation including MIDEM (France), Popkomm (Germany) and NewMusicSeminar and MusExpo in the USA. In 1990 he launched DDC-clubcharts, Europe's most influential tracking of the explosive dance scene. That year he also created AMV/Alster Musikverlag, imprints for both USS and LME labels. By the turn of the millenium he had created the German Dance Awards, and became a board member of DMV (the German Music Publishers association). By the late '00s, Wegener had established a JV between AMV and Talpa Music BV to form AMV Talpa GmbH, which, by 2009, had cuts on the #1 albums in the USA and France, as well as Germany and Japan. [Germany: AC/DC: Iron Man 2 / USA: Drake "Thank me later" / France: La Fouine / Japan: Kat-Tun: Going!] By 2011, he was among the top 10 most successful music publishers in Germany, and the following year acquired Talpa's share in AMV Talpa, while selling the AMV catalogue to Budde Musikverlage. Among the German chart hits which Wegener signed to AMV Talpa are: UNHEILIG; Glasperlenspiel "Weit weg"; Popidol-winner Thomas Godoj; "Mein Ding" von Udo Lindenberg; "Aus meiner Haut" von Oomph!; Michael Schulte (Voiceof Germany);Frank Popp "Hip teens".

For media inquiries, contact Jens-Markus Wegener at jens-markus.wegener@imagem.com.

Alex Black Promoted

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:13:38 GMT

Alex Black, formerly General Manager of Imagem Production Library Music in the UK, representing over 130,000 tracks, has been promoted to Managing Director of Imagem Production Library Music for the UK and Europe, effective 1 January, 2013. Black, 40, has been running Cavendish, Abaco and Strip Sounds, Imagem's production library catalogues in the UK since 2008. He joined Boosey & Hawkes (now a division of the Imagem Music Group) in 2006, after being an independent producer, and running his own music PR company, Rocketscience Media. Black, who began as a sound engineer at Sarm, Trevor Horn's studio, has helped build Imagem's production library into one of the world's leading independent catalogues, making 50 albums a year.

John Minch, Chief Executive of Imagem UK said: "This recognition is long overdue for Alex. Alongside managing Imagem's Media catalogues which include the BBC News and Strictly Come Dancing themes, he was part of the team that helped to acquire and bed in the 5 Alarm acquisition in the US, helped to launch the Imagem libraries in the Netherlands, and has helped us move our libraries into the digital age of hard drives and search engines. In the UK, it's one of our fastest growing businesses and that is due, entirely, to Alex and his team."

Natasha Baldwin promoted to President Creative and Marketing for Imagem Music Group International

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:25:09 GMT

Natasha Baldwin has been promoted to board member of the worldwide Imagem Music Group, serving as President for Creative and Marketing, it was announced today. Baldwin, formerly Group VP of Syncs & Creative Services, began her new role as of 1 January 2013, joining fellow board members André de Raaff (Group CEO), Denis Wigman (Group CFO), and John Minch (UK CEO and Group President Business Development and Strategy).

Natasha ("Tash") Baldwin, age 33, began her career producing TV commercials and music videos. In 2001 she joined the Boosey & Hawkes Production Library team as a music consultant. In 2008 she became responsible for the company's entire synch business worldwide and in 2009 she was promoted to Imagem Group Vice President Creative Services. Since February 2011, she has been a board member of Imagem UK.

"Tash has already contributed enormously to our organization in a remarkably short time," said Imagem CEO André de Raaff. "She has been able to 'make a difference' in the way we service our music to advertising agencies, TV stations, film companies etc. With a clear understanding of our commitment to a direct and proactive approach, she was able to transform this ethic onto a global scale to serve our Imagem clients worldwide. As Imagem continues to grow, Tash's new role will allow her to oversee all aspects of creative services. At the same time, as a worldwide board member, she will be responsible for creating new marketing initiatives to further exploit our copyrights, to develop our business opportunities in 'new' markets, and to contribute in all other aspects to the global growth and further expansion of Imagem."

Natasha Baldwin said, "We have to think globally. That's the way our customers think. We have to think across all genres of music and I'm excited to be given the opportunity to shape the creative strategy of the group as we strengthen long term synch, film and brand partnerships, forge global digital deals, and broker new media opportunities for our writers, composers and bands. What is unusual about this new Imagem move is that it's not about admin, but about sales. That's not the way most publishers behave!"

About the Imagem Music Group
Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, CEO and Co-founder) is the number one independent music publishing company in the world, unique for its leadership role in classical music, Broadway, and pop/rock. Boosey & Hawkes represents the world's leading classical composers from Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky to such contemporary artists as John Adams and Steve Reich. Rodgers & Hammerstein controls the rights to the world's most popular stage and film musicals, including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, OKLAHOMA! and THE KING AND I, as well as representing works by Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Schwartz and more. Imagem Music's ever expanding pop catalogue includes such writers as Elvis Presley, Ludacris, Sammy Cahn, Phil Collins, Genesis, Iron Maiden, Mark Ronson, Temper Trap, Steve Robson, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club and Daft Punk. Imagem is also active in production library music; London-based Imagem Production Music represents over 100,000 tracks, while California-based 5 Alarm Music represents more than 40 different music libraries. The Imagem Music Group has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam, and exclusive agents throughout the world. Imagem: making the difference! Website: www.imagem.com.

Gaden/Stumpf Promotions

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:22:24 GMT

Imagem Music USA President Richard Stumpf and Imagem Music Group USA COO Bill GadenExpand Their Roles & Responsibilities.

Imagem Music Group announced two new promotions in its US organization today, effective immediately, as two executives expanded their roles and responsibilities.
Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA, will now also head the Imagem Creative Services division in New York and Los Angeles, managing the CS team as they build on their success in placing Imagem's diverse catalogue of rock/pop, classical music and American standards in major motion pictures, television, advertising, electronic gaming, and more.

Bill Gaden, COO of Imagem Music Group USA, will oversee all aspects of print music publication and distribution for Imagem Music, Boosey & Hawkes, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Gaden, who successfully initiated many online activities for the Imagem Group, will lead Imagem into new areas of distribution, including digital platforms. Gaden also oversees the theatrical and classical grand rights and rental businesses as well as 5 Alarm Music, the company's California-based Production Music Library; he and 5 Alarm's Cassie Lord will focus on further developing this continually successful venture.

About the Imagem Music Group
Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, CEO and Co-founder) is the number one independent music publishing company in the world, unique for its leadership role in classical music, Broadway, and pop/rock. Boosey & Hawkes represents the world's leading classical composers from Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky to such contemporary artists as John Adams and Steve Reich. Rodgers & Hammerstein controls the rights to the world's most popular stage and film musicals, including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, OKLAHOMA! and THE KING AND I, as well as representing works by Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Schwartz and more. Imagem Music's ever expanding pop catalogue includes such writers as Elvis Presley, Ludacris, Sammy Cahn, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Temper Trap, Steve Robson, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club and Daft Punk. Imagem is also active in production library music; London-based Imagem Production Music represents over 100,000 tracks, while California-based 5 Alarm Music represents more than 40 different music libraries. The Imagem Music Group has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam, and exclusive agents throughout the world. Imagem: making the difference! Website: www.imagem.com.

Imagem Music Group Proudly Announces New Theatrical Licensing Division: R&H THHEATRICALS EUROPE

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:06:33 GMT

The Imagem Music Group, owner of some of the world's most popular musicals including The Sound of Music and The King and I, is expanding its US-based theatrical licensing division, R&H Theatricals, with the creation of a European branch headquartered in the London offices of Imagem UK. R&H Theatricals Europe will represent a catalogue of Broadway evergreens (South Pacific, Oklahoma!) and contemporary classics (Footloose, White Christmas) throughout the UK and across the European market.

Vivien Goodwin has been appointed Managing Director for the new division, which is scheduled to launch in January 2013; Goodwin will join Imagem UK in late September to prepare for the launch. Bert Fink of the R&H New York office will also join the London team for a year beginning this autumn, in his new business development role as SVP/Europe for Rodgers & Hammerstein.

"I couldn't be more thrilled about this exciting new chapter for R&H," says Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein. "Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II always knew the importance of the British and European market, and they both loved London, where they had a production office for many years.

Today, as part of a global company, our new London branch will give us the opportunity to reinvigorate our catalogue throughout Britain and across the Continent. This is an important move for us, which is why I am sending my longtime R&H colleague Bert Fink to London to help launch this venture."
Josef Weinberger Ltd. is currently representing the Imagem theatrical catalogues in Europe, and will work closely with Vivien Goodwin and her new staff to ensure a smooth transition. Goodwin comes to R&H Theatricals Europe from Samuel French Ltd., the prestigious theatrical licensing house and publishing firm where she worked for nearly 24 years, and served for the past 13 years as Managing Director.

John Minch, Chief Executive of Imagem UK, says: "Sean Gray and his team at Weinberger have done a great job representing these catalogues and we are very grateful to them. Bringing the business in-house now is a logical move, especially given the work we already do with musicals from the Warner-Chappell catalogue. Having Vivien Goodwin join us is a real coup; it means that we will be able to build up a musical theatre rights business alongside our classical, pop and library music publishing businesses. This is fantastic news."

UK and European customer inquiries may be directed to: theatricals@rnh.com

Imagem Music Signs Joint Venture with CutCraft Music Group

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:51:19 GMT

Imagem Music USA (IMU) has signed a joint venture with Cutcraft Music Group, headed up by Rebel Management founder, Katrina Sirdofsky. In its first move, the new JV signs up-and-coming artist Chet Faker, writer/producer CP Dubb, and singer/songwriter V Bozeman. For more on Cutcraft, visitwww.cutcraftmusicgroup.com.

In addition to being CEO of Custard Records (James Blunt, Crash King's) and President of Coldwater Music Publishing/Sony/ATV, Katrina Sirdofsky has played an important role in numerous facets of the music industry. As CEO of Custard, she signed James Blunt with label founder and client Linda Perry and consequently broke all international sales records with her global marketing strategy for James' debut album, "Back To Bedlam". From her early days as an indie record store owner to promoting concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area, her diversified background has help launch several stellar careers. Artists and producers she has represented have surpassed the 300 million unit mark in worldwide sales. Her current producer roster features Linda Perry (Pink, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani), CP Dubb (Tyga, Casey Veggies, New Boyz, E-40) and Matt Morris, co-managed with Kevin Held (Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera).

CUTCRAFT writer/producer Chris Washington (aka CP Dubb), who is based in LA, has worked with artists such as E40, The New Boyz, Ray J, Casey Veggies, and YG among others. His most recent work can be found on Casey Veggie's "Can I Live," which features Mac Miller as well as on Tyga's new album, Careless World, with the hit song "Make it Nasty."

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Chet Faker has carved out his own style that fuses personal stories of love and loss with an electronica soul and elements of an acoustic past, reaching far beyond his homeland. Chet quickly came to everyone's attention when his cover of "No Diggity" hit # 1 on the worldwide indie music aggregator, Hype Machine. Chet Faker is poised for the next phase of his development, having just signed to Downtown Records for his debut release "Thinking In Textures."

Singer and songwriter Veronika 'V' Bozeman debuted in the spring of 2011, not as solo artist, but as the powerful female vocalist who traded verses with Interscope recording artist Timothy Bloom in his soulful breakout ballad, "Til the End of Time," from his 2011 EP, The Budding Rose. V co-wrote the hugely popular duet, which captured the attention of the blogosphere. Up till that point, V had developed a working relationship with top Atlanta producer Polow Da Don, who enlisted her to do vocal production for some of the hottest names in music, including Rihanna, Keri Hilson, Monica, El DeBarge, and Patti LaBelle, among many others. V is currently in the studio tracking songs for her forthcoming mixtape due out later this year, and performing at festivals and sold out shows with Cee Lo Green.

"Working with the team at Imagem Music has been an amazing experience," said Katrina Sirdofsky. "Cutcraft has been an incredible creative outlet for me to be able to provide these talented artist and managers with a support system that allows me to use all of my experiences to help shape their careers in a meaningful way."

"I could not be happier in welcoming Katrina to the Imagem family," said Richard Stumpf, President of IMU. "She's one of the most well respected music executives out there and the fact that she chose Imagem as a partner reflects our shared, progressive vision of what it means to be a music publisher today."

About Imagem Music
Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley and Sammy Cahn catalogues as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein). For more, visit: www.imagem.com.

Imagem Music Group Signs Agreement with PopArabia Music Publishing (1)

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:47:59 GMT

Imagem Music Group has signed an agreement with the music publishing and music rights consultancy firm, PopArabia, to become IMG's exclusive representative in the Arab World. Supported by twofour54 ibtikar, PopArabia has also secured agreements with Universal Music Publishing Group, giving it exclusive management rights to millions of titles, driving the development of a sustainable commercial music industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

PopArabia is a music publishing company created by entrepreneur Hussain Spek Yoosuf, representing the world's leading music catalogues to ensure music rights are licensed appropriately in all forms of media, including; film, mobile, online, broadcast and advertising. The aim is to monetise international and regional rights, creating a profitable arena for new and existing talent, and ensuring that international music publishing businesses, such as Imagem, see the potential of the MENA market. PopArabia's combined catalogue includes major pop hits and songs of all genres and eras. It also includes the widest body of production music available in the region, providing film and TV producers with 'one-stop-shop' access to background music for their productions.

The Imagem Music Group, the world's largest independent music publisher, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes), Broadway (Rodgers & Hammerstein) and pop/rock (Imagem Music). "We are delighted to welcome PopArabia to our international network of publishing partners," said Imagem Music Group CEO André de Raaff. "The MENA region has enormous potential for our wide variety of musical genres. We are confident that with twofour54 and Spek's new venture, PopArabia, we have the right partners to generate greater revenue for our writers, and give our catalogues even greater exposure."

John Shanks

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:34:47 GMT

Imagem Music USA (IMU) announces the signing of a worldwide, multi-year co-publishing agreement with renowned Grammy winning writer/producer John Shanks. John has produced and/or written 43 #1 singles, 86 #1 albums, and sold over 60 million records to date, working with some of music's biggest artists like Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Melissa Etheridge, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, Michelle Branch, Fleetwood Mac and numerous others.

In the 1990's, John worked with diverse rock, pop and blues acts like Alanis Morrisette, The Corrs, Bonnie Raitt and Joe Cocker. as well as co-writing and producing Melissa Etheridge's Grammy-nominated 1999 album "Breakdown." In 2005, he went on to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year. John's success continued into the 2000's where some of his biggest hits included Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You," Miley Cyrus' "The Climb", Bon Jovi's "(Who Says) You Can't Go Home," Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful of Sunshine," Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me" and The Wreckers' "Leave The Pieces." He also co-wrote and produced Take That's international hit album Beautiful World including the #1 single "Patience" which won the BRIT award for song of the year in 2007. He reteamed with Take That the following year to produce Circus which also became a multi-platinum #1 album. In February 2012, he sent the music blogs into a frenzy when it was announced he had produced Van Halen's comeback album "A Different Kind of Truth." Most recently, he has worked with such artists as Colbie Calliat, Goo Goo Dolls, Westlife, Delta Goodrem, Lawson and he is currently in the studio with Bon Jovi working on their fifth album together. A chameleon in the studio that improves and clarifies artists' own voices rather than imposing a signature sound, John's work continues to be diverse, eclectic and successful. As Sheryl Crow summarized to Rolling Stone, "John knows how to make stuff sound like it belongs on the radio."

"Nothing could make me happier than to be part of the Imagem family, where vision and creativity are paramount," said John Shanks.

"Simply put, John brings the best out of the best," says Richard Stumpf, president of Imagem Music USA. "What he adds to the song writing and production process is a gift, and we are very proud to have him as part of the Imagem Music family."

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music Signs Joint Venture with Swizz Beatz & Monster Music

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:14:55 GMT

Imagem Music USA (IMU) has signed a joint venture with Swizz Beatz and his company, Monster Music. The first signings under the joint venture include Tyrone Johnson and Naki "Snagz" Levy.

Kaseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, has produced and worked with many of the elite in music, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, DMX, Kanye West and T.I among many others. In addition to several guest appearances and production credits, Swizz dropped his own album One Man Band Man in 2007 and is now set to release his much anticipated second studio album later this year. Tyrone Johnson and Naki "Snagz" Levy, the first writers to be signed under the joint venture, were found and developed by Swizz. Johnson has produced on albums such as Diddy, Dirty Money's Last Train to Paris, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday, and wrote on Jadakiss' The Last Kiss. Additionally, Ty has worked with a variety of artists, including Estelle, Usher, Beyoncé and T-Pain to name a few. Snagz, who is an up and coming artist, boasts credits on Jadakiss' The Last Kiss as well as Swizz Beatz' One Man Band Man. Swizz Beatz is represented by Motisola Zulu and Douglas Davis of The Davis Firm.

"I'm excited to be partnering with Richard [Stumpf] and the entire group over at Imagem Music," said Swizz Beatz. "This partnership will enable me to further develop my group of talented producers and also introduce many new producers and writers to the world."

"Monster Music Publishing is one of the first ventures to come from the Monster Music Group umbrella, and we're looking forward to much success with Imagem as our partner," said Monique Blake, President of Monster Music Group.
"In addition to being a fantastic artist, writer and producer himself, Swizz is a magnet for great talent. We are very excited to partner with such an important member of the creative community," said Richard Stumpf, President of IMU. "Amanda [Schupf, Creative Manager at Imagem Music] goes back a long way with Swizz and his team so it is great to see that trust and friendship blossom into a business relationship."

About Imagem Music

Legendary Stage Musical CARRIE To Be Licensed by R&H Theatricals and Published by Imagem Music

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:04:00 GMT

Musical based on Best-selling Stephen King Novel Receives Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Off-Broadway Alliance, and Drama League Nominations for Best Musical Revival

Coming Soon: Off-Broadway Cast Recording from Ghostlight Records and Songbook Folio from Imagem Music/Hal Leonard

"This show has guts."-- Richard Zoglin, TIME Magazine

The legendary stage musical CARRIE will soon be available for licensing from R&H Theatricals, and its score will be published by Imagem Music, each a division of the Imagem Music Group. Based on Stephen King's best-selling novel, CARRIE features music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment), lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose), and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic film).

CARRIE opened Off-Broadway earlier this year, presented by MCC Theater and directed by Stafford Arima. With a cast headed by Marin Mazzie and Molly Ranson, CARRIE has been nominated for Best Musical Revival by the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Off-Broadway Alliance. Reflecting the musical's strong showcase for women's roles, both Ranson (as Carrie) and Mazzie (as her mother) also received multiple actor nomination accolades. Mazzie and Ranson also lead the Off-Broadway Cast Recording, to be released by Ghostlight Records later this year. A songbook folio based on the Off-Broadway production will be published by Imagem Music/Hal Leonard later this year as well. The score includes several titles that have already become standards, including "When There's No One," and "Unsuspecting Hearts."

CARRIE's return to New York this spring marked nearly 25 years since the musical's historic Broadway production. Preceded by Stephen King's debut 1974 novel and Brian De Palma's classic 1976 film, the stage musical had its world premiere as a co-production of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in February 1988; it transferred to Broadway later that spring, where it lasted for 16 previews and 5 performances before closing, taking on legendary status as one of Broadway's most controversial and short-lived productions.

Despite frequent entreaties from loyal fans (and a few unlicensed productions in the US and Europe), CARRIE was kept hidden from public view. In 2009, the authors were approached by director Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz, The Tin Pan Alley Rag) whose passion for the piece led to this newly reworked and fully re-imagined version of the gripping story. The time period was reset to today, giving the story new relevance in its harrowing depiction of teen bullying.
Both timely and timeless, CARRIE is the mesmerizing story of a young girl bullied by her peers in high school and mistreated by her fanatical mother at home. Carrie, however, learns she has special powers -- a discovery that leads to a devastating and unforgettable conclusion.

"I have known the authors of CARRIE for many years," says Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein, "and it has been fascinating to watch as their relationship to the material continued to evolve. When I saw this new version at MCC this year, I felt they had successfully walked the delicate line that a stage musical of this story requires -- and came out with an extraordinary and emotionally complex show that played like gangbusters. I am thrilled that we are now representing the show and the score, and are able to make it available to theaters around the world."

In a joint statement, Cohen, Gore and Pitchford stated: "We couldn't be happier that our new version of CARRIE will at last be sent out into the world to continue its adventure and journey of resurrection. We're especially proud that our musical of Stephen King's iconic fable -- with its emotionally driven narrative and strong contemporary resonances -- will be a part of a stellar catalog alongside the classics of Rodgers and Hammerstein."

While CARRIE is currently not available for licensing, theater organizations are welcome to sign up for our email newsletter, Show Business, where they can be the first to learn when it is released to customers. For more information, visit our website, www.rnh.com, or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/RodgersAndHammerstein), or Twitter (@RnH_Org) for updates.

About R&H Theatricals

R&H Theatricals represents the stage performance rights to over 100 musicals by more than 200 writers. These include works by Rodgers & Hammerstein (including OKLAHOMA!, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC), Rodgers & Hart (PAL JOEY, BABES IN ARMS), and Kern & Hammerstein (SHOW BOAT), as well as musicals by Irving Berlin (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, WHITE CHRISTMAS), Andrew Lloyd Webber (CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Adam Guettel (THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, FLOYD COLLINS), Kurt Weill (THE THREEPENNY OPERA, LADY IN THE DARK), such perennials as FOOTLOOSE, BIG RIVER and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and the longest-running revues in the history of Broadway -- SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ -- and Off-Broadway -- I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Recently added titles include IN THE HEIGHTS, ORDINARY DAYS, A CATERED AFFAIR, IT'S ONLY LIFE, [title of show], FACE THE MUSIC, REEFER MADNESS, ALTAR BOYZ, BERNARDA ALBA, MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, and BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY. R&H Theatricals is an Imagem company: www.rnh.com.

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher, which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein). For more, visit: www.imagem.com.
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Imagem Music Signs Phil Galdston

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:46:25 GMT

Imagem Music USA, home to the Elvis Presley and Sammy Cahn catalogues as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap and more, has signed a worldwide, multi-year administration and co-publishing agreement with songwriter/ producer Phil Galdston.

Phil Galdston's songs and productions have appeared on nearly 70 million records worldwide, in recordings by artists ranging from Celine Dion to Sheryl Crow, from Aaron Neville to Beyoncé, from Brandy to Esperanza Spalding. "Save the Best For Last," recorded by Vanessa Williams (one of seven of his songs she has recorded), simultaneously topped Billboard's three major charts, was nominated for the GRAMMY® for Song of the Year, and received several ASCAP honors, including Song of the Year. At over 3,500,000 airplay performances to date, and with continuous uses across many media, it is one of the classic songs of this, or any, era.

The recipient of the Grand Prize of the American Song Festival, two Nashville Songwriters' Association citations, a Cable ACE nomination, a DOVE Award nomination, and four ASCAP awards, Phil's work has been featured on recordings that have garnered 14 GRAMMY® nominations. He was honored with a prestigious "Time For Peace Award" for "Fly," which appears on Celine Dion's number one, 28 times-platinum, GRAMMY®-winning album, Falling Into You (one of five of his songs Dion has recorded). "One Voice" was featured on Brandy's multi-platinum, chart-topping album, Never S-A-Y Never, and served as the theme music for Brandy's role as UNICEF spokesperson. Phil's work has recently appeared in recordings by Chicago, Yolanda Adams, Constantine Maroulis, and Kurt Elling, and in numerous films and TV shows.

Phil is an active citizen of the music community, as well. He was recently appointed the first member of the Songwriting Faculty in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions of NYU's Steinhardt School and the first Songwriter-in-Residence in NYU's history. He is the founder, curator, and moderator of the SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME MASTER SESSIONS AT NYU, whose guests have included Hal David, Jimmy Webb, and Glenn Frey. He is a committed member of both ASCAP and The Recording Academy, where he serves, or has served, as national Trustee, N.Y. Chapter President and Vice President, Chapter Governor, and as co-chair of the Academy's national Strategic Planning Committee.

"I'm thrilled to bring my catalogue and my latest and future songs into a new and exciting creative and business partnership with Imagem," said Galdston. "Their team of contemporary, synch, and theatrical music professionals who take a global view of a global business, is unique in the field."
"We are very happy to welcome Phil to the Imagem family," said Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA. "Not many writers have Phil's keen sense of melody, his lyrical gifts, and his overall musical delivery. We look forward to a very successful future together."

About Imagem Music
Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley and Sammy Cahn catalogues as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein).

Kim Frankiewicz has been appointed Managing Director of Imagem Music UK

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:18:03 GMT

Kim Frankiewicz has been appointed Managing Director of Imagem Music UK, the pop music publishing arm of the Imagem Music Group.

Frankiewicz will report to John Minch, CEO of Imagem UK, and will begin her new role on March 1, 2012. She joins Imagem Music after 15 years at Universal Music Publishing, where she was Vice President of International.

Starting her career at MMA Management, one of Australia's largest artist management companies, she became Managing Director of MMA Music Publishing in 1988 and subsequently ran the successful independent label rooArt Records before moving to New York to join Universal Music Publishing in 1997. She relocated to the UK in 2000.

Kim Frankiewicz said, "I am genuinely honored to have been given this opportunity to work with the team at Imagem. In just four years, they have built a vibrant and dynamic company that is the template for modern music publishing. My main priorities will be to maintain an environment in which new talent can make great music alongside our existing roster of world class songwriters, and to look for new ways to create exciting new creative and commercial opportunities for everyone we represent."

John Minch said, "We now have a great senior management team at Imagem. Kim is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in music publishing and an international track record second to none. She will bring energy and insight to her new role and her appointment is a real coup for us."

The US office of Imagem Music welcomes Frankiewicz as well. Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA, said, "I'm very excited that Kim is joining our team. She is someone with a fantastic reputation in the business and I look forward to a very successful 'cross the pond' collaboration. I couldn't be happier having our roster under her care in such a critical territory."

About Imagem Music
Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher, which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein).

Imagem Music Signs Parade Of Lights

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:03:08 GMT

Imagem Music USA, home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, The Temper Trap and more, has signed a worldwide, multi-year co-publishing agreement with electro-rock band Parade of Lights.

Based in Las Vegas, the band is comprised of core members Ryan Daly, former guitarist and keyboardist of power-pop pioneers Hellogoodbye, and Anthony Improgo, who played drums in the multi-platinum electro-pop group Metro Station. Parade of Lights combines equal parts rock, new wave, and shoegaze to create their own unique blend of 80's-influenced pop. Recent music placements on Keeping up with the Kardashians, Nick & Vanessa's Wedding, MTV's The Real World, The Jersey Shore and Teen Wolf have gained the band considerable attention from music and TV insiders, not to mention a legitimate core group of dedicated fans. Now firing on all cylinders, Parade of Lights is currently in pre-production for their upcoming release, an EP entitled "Born To Live, Born To Love," slated for later this year. Parade of Lights is managed by Seth Keller for SKM Artist Management and Brian Saliba for Bogus Productions, Inc. For more information please visit: www.paradeoflightsmusic.com

"We're very excited to be working with Imagem Music," says Ryan Daly. "Being included on a roster full of such legendary artists is nothing short of surreal. [Imagem Music's] Jon Pikus has always been a true believer in what we do. When he invited us to be part of the family, we couldn't wait to get involved with an artist and writer-friendly company like Imagem. They are passionate about our music and about creating opportunities for it to be heard."

"After stalking this band for over 2 years and observing their continued artistic development, I am so happy to finally be able to work with them," says Jon Pikus, Los Angeles-based Creative Director at Imagem Music. "They combine alt-rock sensibility with world class songwriting. I am excited to help them on their journey to reach a larger audience, and additionally to place Ryan and Anthony into co-writing situations with others."

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein).
For more, visit: www.imagem.com.

Imagem Music Signs Peter Stengaard

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:41:49 GMT

Since moving to Los Angeles from Denmark, Peter Stengaard has been busy producing for artists such as The Pussycat Dolls, JoJo and Donna Summer, as well as writing and developing talent. In the summer of 2011, his artist N.I.N.A. was signed to Warner Bros. Records by Rob Cavallo and they are currently in the studio writing the last few songs for her debut album. Peter also has several songs and themes placed in TV shows and upcoming movies. His latest work "Back For More" can be found on James Durbin's debut album Memories of a Beautiful Disaster on Wind Up Records. Most recently, Peter joined Sandy Roberton and his company Twenty First Republic producer management for representation. For more information, please visit: www.peterstengaard.com.

"I'm very excited to have found Imagem," says Stengaard. "I've known [Imagem Music's] Jon Pikus for a while and he's great; he always has good ideas and constructive input. Jon asked if I would meet the team at Imagem's N.Y. office. I did, and I immediately liked the company. They are very organized and motivated but still personable and musical. They move fast, follow through and are basically everything a writer could want in a publisher."

"I am very pleased to be working with Peter. From the moment I met him at Diane Warren's studio several years ago and witnessed his skills as a producer, I have wanted to get involved," said Los Angeles-based Jon Pikus, Creative Director at Imagem Music. "I look forward to raising awareness about him in the Los Angeles music community and, along with help from Sandy, building him into a go-to writer/producer for pop/rock/country/urban cuts and co-writes."

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein). For more, visit: www.imagem.com.

Imagem Music Signs Sammy Cahn Catalogue

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:37:48 GMT

Imagem Music USA, which represents catalogues ranging from the American songbook (Rodgers & Hammerstein, Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin) to classic & contemporary pop & rock (Elvis Presley, Ludacris, Phil Collins & Genesis) has signed a worldwide, multi-year publishing agreement with the Sammy Cahn estate.

Sammy Cahn (1913-93), the Academy Award winning songwriter, longtime Vice President of ASCAP, and President Emeritus of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1973-93), created an extensive catalogue that Imagem will now represent, including "Three Coins in the Fountain" (Oscar for Best Song, 1954), "Come Fly With Me," "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," "Love and Marriage" and "Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week."

"Sammy always said, 'If the song is #1, I wish my name were on it!'," recalled his wife of 22 years, Tita Cahn. "He was definitely not an old stuffy pretentious guy who closed his ears to any form of music. He embraced it all, and I know he would have loved the energy at Imagem, where rock & roll, hip hop and rap, Broadway and classical live side by side."
"Not many writers can say their songs defined a generation but Sammy Cahn's songs did just that," says Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA. "They transcended his time, too, and are as vibrant today as when they were written. We are honored that Tita has chosen us to manage these legendary copyrights and can't wait to get started."

About Sammy Cahn

The songs of lyricist Sammy Cahn have been recorded by virtually every major singer of the 20th Century and are firmly ingrained in the American Songbook. He was nominated for a record 26 Academy Awards for lyric writing, and won four times, also a record. With Saul Chaplin, Cahn began writing numbers for vaudeville acts at the renowned Cotton Club and had his first success in 1935-36 with "Rhythm is Our Business" and "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," written for the Jimmy Lunceford Band, and 1937's "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," a huge hit recorded by The Andrews Sisters. In 1942, Cahn joined with Jule Styne in Hollywood and together they wrote songs for 19 films, including Frank Sinatra's early films Anchors Aweigh and It Happened In Brooklyn. They won an Academy Award for "Three Coins in the Fountain" and also wrote the Broadway musical High Button Shoes. Sinatra introduced Cahn to composer Jimmy Van Heusen in 1955, and together they wrote the title song for the 1955 Sinatra film The Tender Trap and a TV musical version of Our Town that included the Emmy Award-winning "Love and Marriage." Their long association with Frank Sinatra led to Sinatra's recording 89 of Cahn's songs, including "Come Fly with Me," "Only the Lonely," "All the Way" (Academy Award), "High Hopes" (Academy Award), "Call Me Irresponsible" (Academy Award), "The Second Time Around" and "My Kind of Town." Cahn and Van Heusen also collaborated on the Broadway shows Skyscraper and Walking Happy. Cahn was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and later served as its President. In 1974, Cahn performed a one-man show on Broadway called Words and Music and toured with the show numerous times in the years that followed. Sammy Cahn died on January 15, 1993.

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein). For more, visit: www.imagem.com.
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Irving Berlin Music Company Re-Signs with Imagem Music Group/ Rodgers & Hammerstein

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:07:33 GMT

Relationship Dating From 1990 Continues With Global Representation of Irving Berlin Brand and Grand Rights, and On-Going Music Publishing Representation in North America

The Irving Berlin Music Company (IBMC) has just re-signed its ongoing representation agreement with the Imagem Music Group/Rodgers & Hammerstein for international brand management and grand rights exploitation, and music publishing in North America. "Our partnership with the IBMC and the Irving Berlin family began in 1990," says Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein, a division of the Imagem Music Group. "We have enjoyed working with Mr. Berlin's three visionary daughters over the years, with unprecedented success in the arenas of publishing, recordings, TV specials, books and events, major revivals of his musicals on Broadway, in London, and on the concert stage, and the creation of new stage properties such as WHITE CHRISTMAS and TOP HAT. We look forward to a continued, and fruitful, collaboration with the IBMC and the Berlin family."

About Irving Berlin

Born Israel Beilin in a Russian Jewish shtetl in 1888, he died as Irving Berlin in his adopted hometown of New York City in 1989. Songwriter, performer, theatre owner, music publisher and soldier, he wrote scores to more than a dozen Broadway musicals (including ANNIE GET YOUR GUN), and dozens of Hollywood movie musicals, including two which have recently become successful stage properties: WHITE CHRISTMAS and TOP HAT. His more than 1,200 songs include "White Christmas," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Easter Parade," "Always," "Blue Skies," "Cheek to Cheek," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "God Bless America." Irving Berlin's love for, and generosity to, the USA is legendary, and through several ongoing foundations, including the God Bless America Fund, he donated tens of millions of dollars in royalties to Army emergency relief and the Boy and Girl Scouts. Numerous awards and accolades include an Academy Award for "White Christmas," a Congressional Gold Medal, a special Tony Award and commemoration on a U.S. postage stamp. Learn more about Irving Berlin at www.irvingberlin.com and www.rnh.com. Like Irving Berlin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/irvingberlin.

About the Imagem Music Group

Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, CEO and Co-founder) is the number one independent music publishing company in the world, unique for its leadership role in classical music, Broadway, and pop/rock. Boosey & Hawkes represents the world's leading classical composers from Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky to such contemporary artists as John Adams and Steve Reich. Rodgers & Hammerstein controls the rights to the world's most popular stage and film musicals, including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, OKLAHOMA! and THE KING AND I, as well as representing works by Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Schwartz and more. Imagem Music's ever expanding pop catalogue includes such writers as Elvis Presley, Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Temper Trap, Steve Robson, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club and Daft Punk. Imagem is also active in production library music; London-based Imagem Production Music represents over 100,000 tracks, while California-based 5 Alarm Music represents more than 40 different music libraries. The Imagem Music Group has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam, and exclusive agents throughout the world. Imagem: making the difference! www.imagem.com.

Wakey! Wakey! joins Imagem Music

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:18:33 GMT

Selling out across Europe and the US, Michael Grubbs and his brainchild, Wakey! Wakey!, made their presence known over the past few years by striking a perfect balance between crowd-pleasing pop and art-damaged indie rock. Grubbs found critical acclaim in 2010 with his latest release, Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You, which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseakers Chart. In addition to fronting Wakey! Wakey!, Grubbs has had a recurring role on the hit CW show One Tree Hill. The show has also featured many Wakey! Wakey! songs, including "War Sweater" for the season six finale. Wakey! Wakey! are currently working on a new album slated for 2012. Wakey!Wakey! will be playing this Thursday, Dec. 15th at Bowery Ballroom and on Saturday, Dec. 17th at 149 Kent Avenue, opening for The Hold Steady.

"I couldn't be more excited to join the family at Imagem Music. It's great to be with a company that has such reach, and yet feels completely and immediately accessible," said Michael. "We're extremely picky with new team members, but the staff at Imagem made them an easy and obvious choice."
"Michael has such an excellent sense of lyric and melody; his writing is exemplary of the kind of quality writers and artists we are looking to sign here at Imagem," said Molly Seel of IMU's Creative Department. "We are very excited to have him on board!"

Click here to listen to Light Outside from Wakey!Wakey's album "Almost Everything I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You"

About Imagem Music

Imagem Music is the pop music division of the Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, co-founder). Home to the Elvis Presley catalogue as well as such talent as Ludacris, Phil Collins, Genesis, Anna Nalick, Steve Robson, Jens Gad, Temper Trap, Hesta Prynn, Bombay Bicycle Club and more, Imagem Music has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin and the Netherlands, and exclusive agents all over the world. For more, visit: www.imagem-music.com. The Imagem Music Group is the world's largest independent music publisher which, in addition to its ever-expanding pop catalogues, is unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes) and musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein).

For more, visit: www.imagem.com.

Elvis Presley Songs Now With Imagem Music (1)

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:09:50 GMT

Imagem Music USA and Elvis Presley Music/Gladys Music announced today a worldwide music publishing deal for representation of the Elvis Presley catalogue, effective January 1, 2012. The impressive Presley catalogue, co-owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and the families of the late, great publishing giants, Jean and Julian Aberbach, includes over 1,000 songs that have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and other legendary entertainers. The timeless hits in the catalogue include "All Shook Up," "Love Me Tender," "A Little Less Conversation," "Jailhouse Rock," "Return to Sender," and "Can't Help Falling in Love," among many others.

Songs from the catalogue include some of the most sought-after for commercials, television shows, movie trailers and soundtracks around the world.

Recently, "A Little Less Conversation" was included in the Dreamworks animated film Megamind; "Can't Help Falling in Love" is featured in the current film, Like Crazy; "Jailhouse Rock" was utilized for a television commercial for Fiat; and "Fever" could be heard in a spot for Brazil's leading fashion retailer C&A, just to name a few.

"We are grateful that Elvis created such a significant amount of music during his lifetime," stated Jack Soden, President and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. "It's impressive how it continues to resonate with people around the world as new generations discover the King of Rock 'n' Roll." In a joint statement, André de Raaff, CEO of Imagem Music Group and Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA said, "Elvis Presley defines Rock 'n' Roll, and his songs are loved all over the world. We are thrilled and honored to represent such a legendary body of work on a global basis, where we will ensure the songs are promoted and managed in a manner suitable for the King."

About Elvis Presley Enterprises

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com. EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com.)

NATASHA BALDWIN ELEVATED TO IMAGEM GROUP BOARD

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:46:57 GMT

Imagem Group, the world's largest independent music publisher, has announced today that Natasha Baldwin, Group Vice President Synchs and Creative Services, has been made a full board member.

Natasha began her career producing TV commercials before joining the Boosey & Hawkes music publishing production library team as a music consultant in 2001. In 2008 she became Group Head of Music Consultancy responsible for the company's entire synchs business worldwide.

Following the acquisition of Boosey & Hawkes by Imagem Group in 2008, Natasha was promoted to her current role of Imagem Group VP, responsible for synch and creative exploitation growth of all theatrical, classical, jazz and pop catalogues across the Imagem Group for the world.

Natasha Baldwin said, "In the decade since I joined the company I have seen huge changes and it has been a real privilege to have been part of that evolution. I feel privileged to have been asked to join the board of an organization that is helping define modern music publishing and look forward to helping Imagem Group achieve further success moving forward."

John Minch, CEO of Imagem UK, said, "Natasha is an extremely talented executive who has an excellent track record of success. She is one of the most admired creative services experts in the music publishing industry and a huge asset to our company. We are delighted to announce her elevation to full board member status within the Imagem Group."

About Imagem Group

Imagem Group (André de Raaff, CEO and co-founder) is the #1 independent music publishing company in the world, unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes), musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein), and rock & roll (Imagem Music). Founded in 2008 by Dutch firm ABP, one of the world's largest pension funds, in conjunction with Dutch independent publisher/media company CP Masters BV, Imagem began by acquiring music publishing rights in a number of catalogues sold by Universal Publishing, such as Rondor, Zomba, BBC and 19 Music. This was followed by acquiring the world's leading classical music publishing company Boosey & Hawkes (representing the world's leading classical and jazz composers from Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky to John Adams, Wynton Marsalis, and beyond), and Rodgers & Hammerstein (containing the rights to the world's most popular stage and film musicals including THE SOUND OF MUSIC and OKLAHOMA!, and representing hundreds of works by writers including Irving Berlin.) Highlights from Imagem Music's ever-expanding pop catalogue include Phil Collins, Genesis, Temper Trap, Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club, and Daft Punk. Imagem is proud to represent such a variety of writers, catalogues, and copyrights, combining the knowledge of experienced music publishers with the newest opportunities for exploitation. Imagem: Making the difference! Website: www.imagem.com.

IMAGEM MUSIC PARTNERS WITH EPITAPH/BRETT GUREWITZ

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:27:59 GMT

Imagem Music, the world's largest independent music publisher, has announced an agreement with Brett Gurewitz and his iconic label Epitaph Records to become the administration partner for the company's publishing division, FIG Music.

This new agreement is a long-term, worldwide (excl. USA/Canada) administration deal including all existing FIG Music artists as well as future signings.

In addition, Imagem Music has purchased Dutch music publishing company Eastbeach BV from shareholders Brett Gurewitz and Hein van der Ree, who earlier this year was appointed to the position of CEO of Buma Stemra, the Dutch collection society.

The Eastbeach BV catalogue controls close to 1000 songs including compositions by high profile German band The Beatsteaks, Australian artist Xavier Rudd, and successful Dutch acts Pete Philly and Perquisite.

André de Raaff, CEO Imagen Music Group said, "I'm very excited that we are now associated with Epitaph Records and Brett Gurewitz, who has a long and impressive track record in launching new artists on both the Epitaph and Anti imprints."

Brett Gurewitz, Founder & CEO Epitaph said, "I'm delighted to be in business with André de Raaff and the world's leading independent music publishing company Imagem, whose experience and innovation make them an ideal partner."

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Imagem Music UK said, "Brett Gurewitz is one of the music industry's most consistent innovators and has a proven track record of finding and developing new talent. We are delighted to add FIG Music and Eastbeach BV to our roster and look forward to working with Brett and his team moving forward."

About Epitah

Epitaph Records was founded by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, with the aim of starting an artist-friendly label from a musician's point of view. Perhaps most well known for being the little indie from L.A. that spawned the 90s punk explosion, Epitaph stayed independent even while breaking gold and multi-platinum punk acts such as The Offspring, Rancid, NOFX, Bad Religion and Pennywise. It has hence grown into one of the most diverse and well-respected independent labels of its time, revered for both its 'artist-first' approach and the consistent quality of its signings. Celebrating it hallmark 20 year anniversary, Epitaph is more diverse and vibrant than ever, and home to some of the hottest new bands on the scene. Though the sudden explosive success of the 90s undoubtedly brought growing pains, they were met by the Epitaph team with perseverance and commitment to ideals. Today Epitaph is a company that has transcended its humble roots, braved some tough challenges and grown up to become a full service label with a very diverse and creative roster of some of the best bands that today's music scene has to offer. Along the way Epitaph has launched two very successful sister labels: Hellcat Records, specializing in street punk, psychobilly & ska, and ANTI-, representing such distinguished artists as Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, The Swell Season and Neko Case.

About Imagem

Imagem Music Group (André de Raaff, CEO and co-founder) is the #1 independent music publishing company in the world, unique for its leadership role in classical music (Boosey & Hawkes), musicals (Rodgers & Hammerstein), and rock & roll (Imagem Music). Founded in 2008 by Dutch firm ABP, one of the world's largest pension funds, in conjunction with Dutch independent publisher/media company CP Masters BV, Imagem began by acquiring music publishing rights in a number of catalogues sold by Universal Publishing, such as Rondor, Zomba, BBC and 19 Music. This was followed by acquiring the world's leading classical music publishing company Boosey & Hawkes (representing the world's leading classical and jazz composers from Aaron Copland and Igor Stravinsky to John Adams, Wynton Marsalis, and beyond), and Rodgers & Hammerstein (containing the rights to the world's most popular stage and film musicals including THE SOUND OF MUSIC and OKLAHOMA!, and representing hundreds of works by writers including Irving Berlin.) Highlights from Imagem Music's ever-expanding pop catalogue include Phil Collins, Genesis, Temper Trap, Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club, and Daft Punk. Imagem is proud to represent such a variety of writers, catalogues, and copyrights, combining the knowledge of experienced music publishers with the newest opportunities for exploitation. Imagem: Making the difference! Website: www.imagem.com

For the USA - From: Bert Fink, SVP Communications, Imagem USA Contact: bert.fink@imagem.com; 212.699.6521

For the UK - From: Andy Saunders, Velocity Communications Contact: andy@velocitypr.co.uk; +44 (0) 207 060 9111

IMAGEM MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES 5 ALARM MUSIC

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:27:21 GMT

New York, January 6, 2011. Imagem Music Group, one of the world's largest independent music publishers and owner of Boosey & Hawkes and Rodgers & Hammerstein, has announced the acquisition of the leading independent US production library music company, 5 Alarm Music, in a move that will add significant weight to Imagem's existing production music services which includes Cavendish, Abaco and Strip Sounds. Cavendish, one of the world's oldest library music catalogues dating back to the 1930s, is represented by 5 Alarm in America effective immediately.

California-based 5 Alarm Music is a production music specialist. The company represents over 40 music libraries and in excess of 115,000 tracks. The company also owns the 5 Alarm, Rescue Records, IVU and Cinema Sounds catalogues, all of which are included in this sale.

Imagem Music Group, which recently announced the opening of a new production music division in the Netherlands to complement their existing London office, has acquired 5 Alarm Music as a going concern and will support the business in its continued development as a market leading production music company in the USA. Cassie Lord, who set up and has been running 5 Alarm Music since its launch 9 years ago as General Manager, will continue to be responsible for 5 Alarm Music as part of her new job as Vice President/General Manager for all library and production music activities of Imagem in the USA.

André de Raaff, CEO of Imagem said, "5 Alarm Music is a great acquisition for Imagem Music Group as we look to expand and grow our production music business. They are a well established successful agency in America with the 5 Alarm catalogue having a strong footprint in many territories around the world."

"We are very excited about joining the Imagem Music Group," said 5 Alarm's Cassie Lord. "André's dynamic world view on music publishing and the music industry is truly inspiring, and I know that the great team we have here in Pasadena looks forward to working alongside our new colleagues in New York, London and the Netherlands."

Alex Black (General Manager, Imagem Production Music UK) and Bill Gaden (COO, Imagem USA) issued a joint statement: "The development of library music has already proven very successful for Imagem, so we are eager to expand our presence in this field in the #1 production and library territory in the world - the USA."

About 5 Alarm Music

5 Alarm Music opened its doors in 2001 and was able to emerge from a 30 CD library into one of the largest leading production music library companies in North America. With more than 40 music libraries from all over the world, 5 Alarm Music has provided music for such TV productions as Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Saturday Night Live, Lie To Me, No Ordinary Family, Friday Night Lights and such features films as The Next Three Days (starring Russell Crow), The Beaver (Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson), Easy A (Emma Stone), Amelia (Hilary Swank), and Drive Angry (Nicolas Cage). 5 Alarm's online search engine has provided producers, editors and film makers with state-of-the-art technology to find the right piece of music for any project. 5 Alarm's mantra - "Your Music Concierge" -takes customer service seriously, helping guide clients by selecting tracks and emailing them in any audio format the client desires (AIFF, WAV, MP3's). Website: www.5alarmmusic.com

Imagem Celebrates Opening of New American Office

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:11:44 GMT

On 15 September 2010 in New York City, Imagem CEO Andre de Raaff and Imagem CFO Denis Wigman welcomed guests from across the music industry to the new office.

Music industry executives, agents, journalists and artists mingled together, a veritable "Who's Who" of Imagem's wide breadth of catalogues: John Adams (composer, NIXON IN CHINA); Stephen Schwartz (songwriter of WICKED, GODSPELL); Charles Strouse (composer, ANNIE, BYE BYE BIRDIE); Joe DiPietro (co-author/lyricist of this year's Tony winner, MEMPHIS); the daughter of Irving Berlin; the son of Wynton Marsalis; children of Leonard Bernstein; the grand-daughter of Arturo Toscanini; the grandson of Igor Stravinsky.

It was, to quote the phrase, "some enchanted evening."

Click here to see Billboard's report of the party.

Richard Stumpf

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:28:39 GMT

Richard Stumpf has been appointed President of Imagem Music USA, the American branch of the pop music publishing company owned by Imagem. André de Raaff is CEO of Imagem, which also owns the giant publishing brands Rodgers & Hammerstein and Boosey & Hawkes. De Raaff announced Stumpf'sappointment,which starts immediately.

"I am delighted to make this appointment," said de Raaff. "Imagem's commitment to both contemporary and classic rock is already reflected in many recent signings, such as Phil Collins and Genesis. I have been following Rich's career for many years and am impressed with his numerous achievements. He was on the very top of my list to fill in the last major position in our US company. His appointment completes the structure we wanted to have in place, which will help us to grow and expand our US presence."

Together with Ted Chapin (President and Executive Director, Rodgers & Hammerstein), and Zizi Mueller (Senior Vice President, Boosey & Hawkes), Stumpf will be responsible for one of the three music companies within Imagem USA, a branch of Imagem. The management of Imagem USA is completed with Steven Storch (Chief Financial Officer), Bill Gaden (Senior Vice President & General Manager), and Victoria Traube (Senior Vice President, Business Affairs & General Counsel).

Richard Stumpf was most recently the Senior Vice President of Creative Services & Marketing at Cherry Lane Music, where he oversaw writer and joint venture signings, catalog acquisitions, and copyright exploitation. Richard's roster at Cherry Lane included such artists as The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Mick Mars, David Cook, Quincy Jones, Wolfmother, and The Sex Pistols. He sits on Boards for the American Association of Independent Music and the Association of Independent Music Publishers.

"The opportunity to expand the Imagem Pop brand into the US using the 'writer first' service-oriented philosophy that I used in building up Cherry Lane, is extremely exciting," said Stumpf. "I've met very few people with the passion that André has and I am thrilled that he has entrusted me with this task. To succeed today, you have to be quick on your feet and willing to explore new ways of doing things. André and I share this vision. The sister companies of Imagem Music USA - Rodgers & Hammerstein and Boosey & Hawkes - are 'best in breed' and come with extremely talented music executives. It will be a pleasure to work alongside them as I build the contemporary music company."

Imagem Music Bombay Bicycle Club

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:53:49 GMT

Imagem Music, the world's largest independent music publisher, has announced the signing of highly regarded UK band Bombay Bicycle Club to a long-term, global publishing agreement.

Bombay Bicycle Club - Jack Steadman, Jamie MacColl, Suren De Saram and Ed Nash - who are signed to Island Records worldwide, released their acclaimed debut album 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose,' in 2009 and saw it ranked highly in many prestigious end-of-year polls.

The album also helped the band win the NME award for 'Best New Band' earlier this year.

The North London based 4-piece are about to follow up the success of 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose,' with the release a new, acoustic album entitled 'Flaws' next month. A track from the forthcoming album entitled 'Ivy & Gold' is currently featuring on the Radio 1 B List.

The band also have a song, 'How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep,' featured in the next installment on the Twilight movie series 'Eclipse' , which is released on June 30^th.

In addition Bombay Bicycle Club have numerous high profile festival appearances lined up throughout the summer including slots at Glastonbury, T In The Park and Lovebox among others.

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Imagem Music said, "Bombay Bicycle Club are a superb band with a growing following. They are motivated, ambitious and constantly writing and creating great music - a publisher's dream really!"

Karl Jenkins awarded CBE in Queen's Birthday Honours

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:52:15 GMT

Composer Karl Jenkins (b.1944) has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours, announced on 12 June 2010, for "services to music". This follows his OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2005.

Karl Jenkins made this statement following the announcement: "It is both a great honour and humbling to receive the award of CBE in Her Majesty the Queen's 2010 Birthday Honours list. This is particularly gratifying since it is given to a composer who has never been part of the music establishment but has, so I am told, touched the lives of literally millions of people globally. I shall unashamedly cherish this."

Following training as a classical musician, Jenkins worked as a jazz performer and with jazz-rock fusion band Soft Machine. He topped the record charts with Adiemus, and went on to compose some of the most performed choral works of our age, including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Requiem and Stabat Mater.

His new Gloria receives its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall on 11 July performed by the 2500 singers of the Really Big Chorus in the presence of the composer, and will be released the following day on a new EMI recording, coupled with his recent Te Deum.

The music of Karl Jenkins is published exclusively by Boosey & Hawkes.

> Watch a video of Jenkins talking about his music
> More information on the Gloria premiere

Imagem Music Sparks

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:50:55 GMT

Imagem Music has announced the signing of a long-term, global publishing agreement, for the entire Sparks back catalogue.

Sparks originally formed in Los Angeles in the early '70's, the brainchild of brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals). The band's long career has seen them successfully adopt many different musical genres and become a huge influence of successive generations of their peers. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of experimentation and uniqueness in pop music.

The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, their "genre-defying opus", as well as the more recent albums Hello Young Lovers (2006, their 20th studio album) and Exotic Creatures Of The Deep (2008) has brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to "steer clear of pop conventions."

This new agreement, which is effective immediately, includes such classic hits as: 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us', 'Beat the Clock' and 'The Number One Song in Heaven,' plus the twenty or so albums that Sparks have released since 1974.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks said, ""We are extremely happy that our catalogue is now with Imagem Music Group. It's great to be working with people who understand our legacy and genuinely appreciate our music. We have been hugely impressed with Imagem Music's enthusiasm and ideas - they are innovative and forward thinking team and we look forward to working with them."

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Imagem UK said, "It's a real privilege to be working with Ron and Russell and such an iconic canon of music. We have already got lots of ideas of how we can reinvigorate what we feel is an undervalued and underexploited catalogue in sync and other areas. Sparks are not content to rest on their laurels, they are always moving forward and we have already had some great discussions about how we can help them put together a range of really interesting projects."

R&H Phantom of the Opera for Schools and Colleges

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:48:59 GMT

R&H Theatricals, an Imagem Company and a division of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization (RHO), is proud to announce that high schools and colleges in the USA and Canada will soon be able to perform the most successful musical of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Applications to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's international musical phenomenon are being accepted starting today, June 3, for performances beginning September 1, 2010.

"Andrew's passion for bringing young people into the musical theater is so deeply felt," notes RHO President Ted Chapin, "that he has authorized us to release PHANTOM to schools even while it continues to thrive on Broadway and all over the globe. We always believed that school performances of PHANTOM would bring out the best in each and every student, and the pilot productions we saw across America more than confirmed that belief."

Anticipating the release of PHANTOM to schools, R&H Theatricals created a pilot project working closely with RUG (Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group). In the 2007-8 academic year, PHANTOM was presented -- in full productions and in its entirety -- by two colleges and four high schools: Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio; Elon University, Elon, North Carolina; Carroll Senior High School, Westlake, Texas; Nyack High School, Nyack, New York; Fairfield Senior High School, Fairfield, Ohio; and Capital High School, Charleston, West Virginia.

PHANTOM was "a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Stacie Martinsen of Carroll Senior High School. "It helped our department's recognition level go through the roof, and the number of kids who wanted to be involved in theater after PHANTOM nearly doubled." PHANTOM was "more profitable and [received] far more media attention than any other show we've produced," said Mindy Reed of Fairfield Senior High School. "It helped gain respect from the community for our theatre program." It was a "wonderful opportunity" for Baldwin-Wallace College, said administrator Scott Plane. "There was a great deal of 'buzz' about this piece that generated a kind of energy we don't usually experience, which helped our program grow. I'd recommend PHANTOM to any school that wishes to push themselves; it's ultimately extremely rewarding."

R&H Theatricals has been representing North American performance rights to Lloyd Webber's musicals since 2001, with SUNSET BOULEVARD being the latest title to be released (for professional customers only at this time), joining CATS, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, ASPECTS OF LOVE, BY JEEVES, SONG & DANCE -- and now, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

For more information about the musical visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com

John Wilson conducts a Rodgers & Hammerstein Gala at the Cheltenham Music Festival

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:47:41 GMT

Following John Wilson's outstanding appearance with his own orchestra in the 2009 Festival, he returns with the CBSO for a celebration of the work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. From their first collaboration in 1943, Oklahoma!, to their last in 1959 with The Sound of Music, Rodgers & Hammerstein created some of the 20th century's most attractive and enduring stage works.

In the John Wilson Orchestra's televised Prom this August, Kim Criswell's powerful charisma and vocal riches contributed significantly to a remarkable evening. Together with fellow American Brent Barrett - currently starring in the Broadway production ofChicago - they perform beloved songs such as 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'' (Oklahoma!), 'Some Enchanted Evening' (South Pacific), 'You'll Never Walk Alone' (Carousel) and, of course, favourites fromThe Sound of Music.

HSBC Cheltenham Music Festival (2-17 July 2010)
Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA
The 2010 programme for the HSBC Cheltenham Music Festival is its most diverse and richly-layered yet: performances range from a new choral work composed using DNA coding, to a Schumann celebration featuring Steven Isserlis, and a performance by James Rhodes - a classical pianist with 'a rock-star attitude' (Classic FM Magazine).

The Festival's musical riches encompass names as diverse as Alfred Brendel, Jan Garbarek, Steven Isserlis, Alfie Boe, Fascinating Aida and Robert Fripp. Over 20 performances take place in the Regency spa town's Pittville Pump Room, and the brand-new Parabola Arts Centre at Cheltenham Ladies College joins the festival's roster of venues alongside the much older spaces of Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey.

'Musically you'll be spoilt for choice,' says Festival Director Meurig Bowen.'There aren't many festivals around where you can hear top-rank classical musicians like Imogen Cooper, Steven Isserlis, Sarah Connollyand the Philharmonia alongside jazzers Jan Garbarek and Gwilym Simcock, prog-rock legend Robert Fripp, cabaret queens Fascinating Aida and some chanting Tibetan monks'.

July 2-17, 2010: the full programme is now available at cheltenhamfestivals.com

Louis Andriessen Named Musical America Composer of the Year 2010

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:46:07 GMT

Louis Andriessen has been named Musical America's 2010 Composer of the Year.

Louis Andriessen, who Los Angeles Times's Mark Swed calls "a rebel with a very large cause," will be on hand in New York City for the official Musical America awards ceremony at Lincoln Center on Monday, December 14. He will be joined by Instrumentalist of the Year, Joshua Bell; Vocalist of the Year, Elina Garanca; "Collaborative Pianist" of the Year, Warren Jones; and Musician of the Year, conductor Riccardo Muti, who recently appointed Anna Clyne as a Composer-in-Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

With this award Andriessen joins previous Musical America Composers of the Year from Boosey & Hawkes: Elliott Carter (1993), John Adams (1997), Ned Rorem (1998), and Steve Reich (2001), and Christopher Rouse (2009).

Andriessen will return to New York in April 2010 for a number of performances of his works, in fulfillment of his role as the Richard and Barbara Debs Composer Chair at Carnegie Hall. A highlight of Andriessen's Carnegie Hall residency will be two performances by the Asko | Schoenberg led by conductor Reinbert de Leeuw, the first of which will include the New York premiere of his 2008 opera, La Commedia, presented in a concert version in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. A Carnegie Hall Making Music: Louis Andriessen program showcases both soprano Dawn Upshaw in Andriessen's Dances and the Bang on a Can All-Stars in the New York premiere of a new Andriessen work with video.

Also featured in April is the American Composers Orchestra, presenting Andriessen's Symphony for Open Strings alongside three world premieres by young North American composers/protégés of Andriessen, and a concert by Ensemble ACJW, featuring Andriessen's seminal 1974 work De Staat, a raucously intense piece which borrows text from Plato's "The Republic" and which first brought the composer's name to wide acclaim, led by composer John Adams, also led the work's American premiere in the 1980s.

As part of his residency, Andriessen also curates a series of late-night improvisatory double-bill concerts in Weill Recital Hall entitled "Three Naughty Boys and Three Crazy Girls," with tap dancer Savion Glover sharing a program with vocalist Greetje Bijma (accompanied by Andriessen himself on the piano); violinist/vocalist Iva Bittová with saxophonist Evan Parker, and cellist Ernst Reijseger with vocalist Cristina Zavalloni.

Previous holders of the Carnegie Hall Composer's Chair include John Adams (2003-2007) and Elliott Carter (2008-2009).

New Video: View an interview with Louis Andriessen talking about his life and music.

York Höller wins 2010 Grawemeyer Award for Sphären

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:42:15 GMT

York Höller is awarded the world's top composition prize for his orchestral work Sphären.

German composer York Höller has won the 2010 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for Sphären (Spheres), a major orchestral score composed between 2001 and 2006. The Grawemeyer Award, worth $200,000 (£120,000; €135,000), is awarded annually by the University of Louisville for a work that makes an outstanding contribution to the field of musical composition. The prize announcement describes Höller's Sphären as "magnificently scored, using a large orchestra to generate colours ranging from the most delicate to the most overwhelming. [It] grips you viscerally from the first bars and never lets up."

Sphären, chosen for the award from 136 entries worldwide, was commissioned by West German Radio and premiered in 2008 by the WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne. The six-movement, 40-minute piece was inspired by literature, music of the past and the elements of air, water, earth and fire from Greek philosophy. Höller composed the work over a period of five years, dedicating the last movement "with love and gratitude" to his wife, Ursula, who died in 2006. Sphären is scheduled to be commercially released on CD in April 2010 by NEOS in Germany.

York Höller, who signed with Boosey & Hawkes in 1983, is professor emeritus of music composition at the Cologne University of Music. He is renowned for pioneering work at fusing together live and electronic sounds and for his imaginative instrumentation, qualities which have attracted leading interpreters including Pierre Boulez and Daniel Barenboim. His compositions often incorporate references to romanticism and French-influenced orchestration along with modernist techniques, and range from chamber works to The Master and Margarita, his opera based on the novel by Bulgakov, premiered at the Paris Opéra in 1989.

Previous Boosey & Hawkes composers to receive the Grawemeyer Award include Brett Dean (2009), Sebastian Currier (2007), Unsuk Chin (2004), John Adams (1995), and Harrison Birtwistle (1987).

York Höller statement
"There are good reasons to hope that the prestigious Grawemeyer Award will evoke increasing interest in my music in the international music scene, though my private life and philosophy have taught me that glory is a very ambivalent and often quickly disappearing phenomenon.

"It took me five years to compose Sphären, as increasing eyesight problems forced me to look for new methods of musical notation. Fortunately, Macintosh computer technology linked with Finale notation program and some samplers enabled, after a gap of almost one year, the continuation of my composing up to the middle of 2008. At that time my eyesight went down to nearly zero and the definite end of my creative work seemed to have come. But in the present year again a new perspective was opened by highly sophisticated American technology. Supported by my assistant Boris Kosak, I learnt to compose with a program named "Jaws". It works with speech (in English) in a way that I can hear all the information concerning selected instrument, pitch, rhythmic positions etc.

"Finally it is not at all exaggerated to say that Sphären could not have been premiered without the artistic and human engagement of Semyon Bychkov at the head of the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra. In consequence of my grave eyesight problems the first version of the score was full of mistakes and questions of detail. Thanks to Bychkov's seriousness, patience, professionalism and dedication, the superb world premiere took place in April 2008 in the Cologne Philharmonie."

About the Grawemeyer Awards
The University of Louisville grants one million dollars each year for the Grawemeyer Awards, $200,000 each for music composition, education, ideas improving world order, religion and psychology. The selection process includes a jury of professionals from each discipline and a knowledgeable lay panel. The late Charles Grawemeyer was an industrialist, entrepreneur and University of Louisville graduate who had a lifelong passion for music, education and religious studies. For further information about the Grawemeyer Awards visit www.grawemeyer.org.

Click here for audio samples of Höller's music, including the six movements of Sphären

Imagem Music Market Share News

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:51:58 GMT

Rodgers and Hammerstein organisation deal confirms the Imagem Group's position as the world's leading independent publisher

Imagem Music UK, the UK division of The Imagem Music Group, is celebrating being named the second largest independent music publisher in the UK just one year after launching in the marketplace.

Figures published recently in UK trade magazine Music Week recently give a definitive breakdown of music publishing activity during 2008 and Imagem Music UK scored a sensational 10.7% market share among the independent companies.

This result, which places Imagem Music UK second in the UK independent music publishing market share rankings, is all the more notable given that the company only began representing one of their biggest catalogues, the US repertoire of Zomba Music, from July 1st 2008.

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Imagem Music UK said, "Given the fact that Imagem Music has only been in existence for one year, being recognised as the 2nd largest independent music publisher in the UK is a remarkable achievement. It is perhaps worth noting that had we started representing our Zomba US catalogue at the start of 2008 there is a very good chance that we would actually be number one but that is academic and we are delighted to have achieved so much in such a relatively short space of time. We are determined not to become complacent however and remain fully focused on building on this success moving forward."

The Imagem Music Group, the music publishing fund of ABP, the Netherlands based world's 3rd largest pension fund and CP Masters BV, one of Europe's leading independent music publishers, also announced recently it has signed an agreement to acquire the rights to the songs and musicals of the legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein as well as The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization (RHO), which represents more than 12,000 songs, 900 concert works, 200 writers and 100 musicals, in a deal that confirms The Imagem Music Group as the world's leading independent music publisher.

Andre De Raaff, CEO of The Imagem Music Group said, "Our recent acquisition of The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization means that the Imagem Music Group now generates annualized revenues of more than 100 million euros and has rights to more than 200,000 pieces of music. To have reached the status of the number one independent music publisher globally so quickly is testament to our team's vision and single-minded determination to create a world-class music publishing company."

Imagem Music Publishing Embark on Major Signing Spree

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:07:58 GMT

Imagem Music, which was recently confirmed as the world's largest independent music publisher, has announced three important new signings.

Acclaimed writer/producer Guy Sigsworth and two bands, the hugely influential PM Dawn and new Australian rock act Temper Trap, have all inked deals with Imagem Music Publishing in the same week.

Guy Sigsworth is the writer producer best known for his work with Seal, Bjork, Madonna, Imogen Heap, Alanis Morissette and more recently Britney Spears.

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Imagem Music said, "Guy is a fantastic addition to our roster. Writers of his quality and vision are rare and we are delighted that he has chosen Imagem as his next publishing home. Our A&R team will be working closely with him to introduce him to acts and writers that he may not have considered in the past whilst continuing to maintain relationships with the superstars that love working with him".

Guy Sigsworth said, "I'm really excited to be working with Tim and his team at Imagem. They're easily the most happening independent publisher right now. Plus, because of their partnership with Boosey & Hawkes, I now have the same publisher as both Igor Stravinsky and Daft Punk! How cool is that?"

PM Dawn have entered into a long-term administration agreement with Imagem Music, which will see the publisher representing the bands entire catalogue on a worldwide basis.

Tim Smith said, "The PM Dawn catalogue is filled with hits from 'Set Adrift On Memory Bliss' to 'Reality Used To be a Friend Of Mine' and songs recorded by Elton John, Shara Nelson & George Michael. We feel that these songs have been hugely underused in the world of synch and that is in area that we will be really focusing on moving forward. As part of our deal we will also be publishing all new songs written by Prince B and we have some great new material to be working with which I can easily hear being recorded by a number of contemporary pop stars from the UK or USA. We are really looking forward to working these songs."

Temper Trap, who recently signed to former Warner Music Managing Director Korda Marshall's new label Infectious Records, have confirmed a deal that will allow Imagem Music to work closely with Mushroom Music Publishing on a worldwide basis.

Tim Smith said, "Temper Trap are one of the most exciting new bands we have seen or heard in a long time. We are really happy to be working with Korda and his team at Infectious Records and to be partnering with Mushroom Music Publishing globally. The band now has a fantastic team around them and we are confident of great things for them in the future."

Danny Rogers, Manager of Temper Trap said, "We are thrilled to join forces with Imagem. Of all the publishers they were there from the beginning and have showed genuine passion and drive for the band."

Imagem Music Signs Genesis and Phil Collins

Mon, 24 May 2010 14:15:35 GMT

London (UK)/Hilversum (NL) - Imagem Music has entered into a long-term, exclusive administration agreement with the members of Genesis, Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford as of 1st July this year and will represent the catalogues of Genesis, Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford including Mike & The Mechanics.

Genesis have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide and have enjoyed several top 10 hits in US including a No. 1 with "Invisible Touch". Mike & The Mechanics also reached No. 1 in US with "The Living Years".

In addition to the above and in a separate deal with Philip Collins Limited, Imagem Music has also bought a 50% share of the copyrights in the entire Phil Collins catalogue. This catalogue contains 8 No. 1 hits in US and UK including "Against All Odds", "Sussudio", "One More Night", "Two Hearts", "Another Day In Paradise", "Easy Lover" and the iconic "In The Air Tonight". Phil has sold over 100 million albums worldwide has been awarded 7 Grammys, 1 Academy Award and 2 Golden Globes.

André de Raaff, CEO of Imagem Music worldwide: "We are extremely proud that Tony, Phil and Mike have chosen us for their music publishing activities throughout the world. We feel that they are among the great writers and have written many outstanding songs which will live forever. Their catalogues are a great addition to the wonderful portfolio of Imagem. We are not only proud to be the #1 independent music publisher in the world only two years since we started the company, but we are also a new kind of music publisher. We can prove to anyone that we have the best creative teams and that we are the most efficient rights manager in music publishing. The rights of Tony, Phil and Mike will be loved and nourished.

John Minch, CEO of Imagem UK and Director Business Development and Digital of Imagem International: "We invest in gold standard music copyrights and we are thrilled to have persuaded Genesis and Phil to come to us. We can offer all the creative flair, passion and enthusiasm of the very best independent with the financial muscle professionalism and global strength of a worldwide music publishing group. The Genesis management team took a long hard look at what we are building here and really liked what they saw. This is a very exciting time for us."

Phil Collins: "I am delighted and excited to be entering into this new partnership with Imagem and Boosey & Hawkes for the future, and look forward to working closely with them to get the best from all the songs that I've written over the years, along with any future projects I may enter into."

Tony Smith, Manager of Genesis and Phil Collins: "I am delighted to have been able to conclude this deal with Imagem and to be associated with both them and the legendary Boosey & Hawkes. We have been researching many of the major music publishing houses over the last 18 months or so to find the right company to represent the catalogue for the future, as we recognize that there are many challenges for music publishers in the ever changing music industry, we were keen to find a company that would approach the issues of the decreasing physical market while embracing the challenges of maximizing the opportunities available to music copyrights in the digital and synchronization arena, as well as recognizing that a large part of future income will be generated from these uses and that of performances. We think we have found the right combination of outstanding administration abilities and forward thinking partners in Imagem and Andre De Raaff, John Minch and their creative teams."

Contact info:

Imagem UK > John Minch
Media Inquiries: Andy Saunders, Velocity Communications
T: + 44 207 060 9111
Email: andy@velocitypr.co.uk

Imagem Music Group > André de Raaff
Media Inquiries: Anneke Bouman
T: + 31 35 647 4040
Email: Anneke.Bouman@ctm.eu.com

Notes to Editors:

About Imagem Music Group:

Founded in 2008 by ABP, one of the world's biggest pension funds, in conjunction with Dutch independent publisher/media company CP Masters BV, Imagem Music began by acquiring music publishing rights in a number of catalogs sold by Universal Publishing as a requirement of its acquisition of BMG Publishing - Zomba UK, Rondor UK, 19 Music and 19 Songs, plus the greater part of the BBC Music catalogue and European rights to the Zomba US catalogue - as the first step in becoming one of the most dynamic new players in music publishing. The subsequent acquisition of Boosey & Hawkes - with its rights to Copland, Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff and others and its established international publishing infrastructure, with own offices in London, New York, Berlin and The Netherlands - has provided Imagem Music with an administrative backbone as well as expanding the group's musical offering into classical and jazz. Earlier this year, the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization has been added to Imagem Music. RHO represents a wide variety of entertainment copyrights and over 200 writers and does not only represent works by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, but also Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Adam Guettel, Sheldon Harnick, Lorenz Hart, Jerome Kern, Stephen Schwartz, Kurt Weill, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and many others. RHO founders Richard Rodgers (composer; 1902-79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyricist/librettist, 1895-1960) created the most beloved musicals such as Oklahoma! Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music.