In advance of the National Music Publishers’ Association 2026 annual meeting, the organization has named Pink as winner of this year’s Songwriter Icon Award.
It has also named Julian Bunetta (songwriter-producer behind Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” and One Direction’s “Night Changes”) as Non-Performing Songwriter Icon; and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. as winner of its Industry Legacy Award “to honor the groundbreaking work he has done to elevate songwriters while leading the Academy including honoring them for Album of the Year and introducing the Songwriter of the Year Award.”
The honors will take place at NMPA’s annual meeting, taking place at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York on June 10. It will also feature Meta president and vice chairman Dina Powell McCormick sitting for a keynote conversation with NMPA President & CEO David Israelite.
Israelite said, “We are thrilled to honor Pink whose catalog embodies authenticity and depth and whose songwriting has a singular style. Julian Bunetta has been writing everyone’s favorite songs for decades. We look forward to spotlighting his incredible talent that has elevated some of the world’s biggest stars.
“Meta President Dina Powell McCormick will share her influential perspective on today’s business landscape and Meta’s role in the rapidly changing technology space. Finally, Harvey Mason jr. was an obvious choice for our Industry Legacy Award. Since leading the Recording Academy, he has championed songwriters in very real ways, which we will discuss in a special fireside chat.”
+ Universal Music Publishing Group and 45RPM have inked a global publishing agreement with Academy Award-winning composer and artist Daniel Blumberg.
Blumberg has released four solo albums and composed scores for films including “The Brutalist” — which won and Oscar and BAFTA Award in 2025 — “Sotto le Nuvole/Pompei: Below The Clouds” and “The Testament of Ann Lee.”
Blumberg said, “I’m happy to be working with [45RPM cofounder] Ayla Owen again and to be signing to 45RPM and look forward to collaborating with them and the broader team at Universal Music Publishing on my upcoming creative projects.”
UMPG’s Natasha Baldwin added, “Daniel is an incredible composer and artist with a unique musical voice. We are excited and privileged to be welcoming him and his manager Mark Slater, to the UMPG family with our friends and partners 45RPM.”
Owen added, “Daniel is a rare and extraordinary talent with a singular vision. Having the opportunity to work with him again after signing him at Warner Chappell feels truly full circle.”
+ United Talent Agency has signed Latin star Zhamira Zambrano for global representation in all areas. UTA will work alongside Zambrano across live touring, media, brand partnerships, film and television opportunities, and strategic business ventures worldwide, as she continues her momentum with a sold-out 22-city tour.
Zambrano first gained national attention as a finalist on Univision’s “La Banda” in 2016 and was nominated for Best New Artist at both the Latin American Music Awards and Premios Juventud. “No Me Quiero Ir,” lead single from her debut album “Curita Para el Corazón,” reached No. 1 on YouTube’s Daily Chart.
+ Secretly Distribution has named Hannah Angst as its new director of label and shared services; and that 20-year Secretly veteran Jacqui Resur has been promoted to vice president of client relations.
Angst joins from the Orchard, where her six-year tenure included work with Gorillaz, Samia, Max McNown and many others. At Secretly she will be working on album releases and catalog promotion with such artists as Hayley Williams, David Gray, Beirut, Rostam and others.
“Our label services team has allowed us to build an alternative pathway for artists seeking to navigate distribution on their own terms,” says Resur of Angst’s appointment. “Hannah’s addition to our team will bring experience and insights that can only further what’s possible for these partners. While there will be no shortage of obstacles that we’ll face in an increasingly consolidated marketplace with economic uncertainties, I’m confident that the Secretly team will continue to set the standard for success that’s culture and client driven.”
Of Resur’s promotion, COO and partner Chris Welz says, “Jacqui Resur is a trailblazer – an expert leader and team builder who has defined our services and generated decades of success with our label partners. As VP of Client Relations, Jacqui will oversee an exciting new chapter for our label and artist services team.”
+ BMI announced this week that it will acquire Soundmouse, a major company in music cue sheet reporting and monitoring for the broadcast and entertainment production industries. The partnership aims to create the largest and most comprehensive cue sheet database in the global audiovisual marketplace.
With headquarters in London and operations in Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria and Greece, Soundmouse uses cutting edge technology, including AI, to simplify and automate the creation of cue sheets, which report musical elements included in films, TV shows, commercials, video games, and other projects, delivering increased revenue and visibility for songwriters, composers, and publishers worldwide.
BMI notes that it has agreed to purchase Soundmouse from Orfium, a technology company specializing in digital music rights monitoring and royalty claiming, in a transaction that will be funded through the company’s operating cash and will not impact BMI’s distributions to its affiliates.
BMI plans to operate Soundmouse as an independent company and will remain one of its biggest clients. Todd Horvath, BMI’s President and COO, will oversee the operations of the company. The deal is expected to close mid-2026.
High-fidelity streaming and download platform Qobuz is launching a new partnership with indie retailer Rough Trade that will establish the platform as the official streaming service of all Rough Trade stores worldwide through 2028.
The two-year initial partnership will integrate Qobuz directly into the in-store experience across all Rough Trade locations in the U.S., U.K. and Germany. Qobuz and Rough Trade will join forces on live in-store events, co-producing performances and programming hosted at Rough Trade locations. Music from the Qobuz download store will be available through the Rough Trade retail website.
“Rough Trade is one of the best known and most respected names in music retail, and Qobuz is honored to have been chosen as their Official Music Streaming Service,” says Dan Mackta, Qobuz Managing Director for North America and Northern Europe. We are looking forward to working closely with the Rough Trade team to create meaningful new experiences for dedicated music fans”
Stephen Godfroy, co-owner of Rough Trade, says “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, there couldn’t be a more fitting partnership than expanding our artist-focused community into high-quality digital streaming with Qobuz — a likeminded independent platform that connects audiences and artists through deep curation, and champions emerging talent as passionately as established voices.”
+ Music catalog funding company Xposure has announced three senior appointments across A&R, legal, and rights management. The company has named Alexa Disney head of A&R joining from Duetti (with previous roles at Tidal and Sony Music). Based in Los Angeles, he will lead Xposure’s A&R and catalog acquisition strategy, overseeing direct-to-artist deal flow and building out the company’s sourcing infrastructure.
Also, Jesse Roth has been named general counsel. Based in New York, he also joins from Duetti (with previous roles at Roc Nation and Pryor Cashman). Finally, Alexander Baynum has been named head of rights management, joining from Music Admin.
+ High-quality streaming and download platform Qobuz is launching a new partnership with indie retailer Rough Trade that will establish the platform as the official streaming service of all Rough Trade stores worldwide through 2028.
The two-year initial partnership will integrate Qobuz directly into the in-store experience across all Rough Trade locations in the U.S., U.K. and Germany. Qobuz and Rough Trade will join forces on live in-store events, co-producing performances and programming hosted at Rough Trade locations. Music from the Qobuz download store will be available through the Rough Trade retail website.
Monday, May 18
Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw will be honoroed by the T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry foundation that provides funds for cancer research, at its 51st annual New York Honors Gala on September 15 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
The foundation’s board of trustees will present Capshaw — pictured above with longtime management clients Dave Matthews (left) and Phish’s Trey Anastasio (right) — with its Lifetime Music Industry Award. Since the 1980s, Capshaw has built Red Light into one of the world’s largest independent artist management companies, where he personally manages Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton and the Strokes, among others, and his team oversees the careers of dozens more acts. Beyond management, Capshaw has helped build music festivals and venues across the country, along with a strong commitment to philanthropy.
The evening’s red carpet will be sponsored by Live Nation, and the program will include special performances and celebrity presenters to be announced in the weeks ahead.
“We are deeply honored to recognize our esteemed music industry colleague Coran Capshaw with this year’s Lifetime Music Industry Award, a tribute to decades of remarkable dedication and philanthropic leadership,” said Republic’s Steve Gawley, chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s board of trustees. “Coran’s enduring commitment to philanthropy, as well as his ability to rally artists in support of meaningful causes, has made a profound impact on our community. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Coran’s exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the causes that matter most.”
Capshaw said, “I am incredibly honored to support this life-saving work. Giving back has always been important to me, and being able to engage our generous music community to support vitally important organizations such as the T.J. Martell Foundation is something I’m proud of and will keep doing my part however I can.”
Head here for more information on the event and the foundation.
+ Atlantic Records has signed Japanese group Number_i, who recently topped the Billboard Japan JP Albums chart and made their U.S. debut at the Coachella festival. The trio — comprised of Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi — have begun work on new music in the U.S., set to be released later this year. The group recently inked with WME for representation worldwide.
Number_i said in a collective statement: “We’re excited to announce that we’ve signed with Atlantic Records in the U.S. We’re really looking forward to expanding our sound and reach with the team! We’ll continue working hard to bring our music to as many people as possible, and we truly appreciate your continued support!”
+ Philadelphia will be the host city for 10 European and American songwriters and performers who have been selected for the first edition of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States’ Transatlantic Stars Music Program, a two-week creative collaboration from May 26 until June 7. The Philadelphia leg of the program closes with a reception and showcase on June 3. Following the showcase, the artists will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will join fellow Transatlantic Stars from the visual arts and film programs for the EU Delegation’s annual State of the Arts Night.
The European cohort includes Citron Sucré (France), Diana Ezerex (Germany), JJ Paulo (Denmark), Left. (Portugal), and Ruth Koleva (Bulgaria). Selected from applicants across all 27 EU Member States, these artists were chosen for the originality of their work and their potential to build something new through transatlantic collaboration. The American peers, Black Buttafly, Brittany Luna of Catbite, Charlie Hall of The War On Drugs, Khemist Mayfield, and Laurin Talease, were chosen to represent the cultural richness of the host city along with their potential to make the most of this multinational program.
In the program, EU and U.S. artists will collaborate in studio sessions, mentorship, and direct conversations with producers, performers, and music business professionals. The Transatlantic Stars Music Program also covers the practical side of the industry as careers grow, including rights management, touring, and audience development, alongside performances and community engagements that bring newly created work to Philadelphia audiences.
“A song can travel farther than any speech,” says EU Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė. “Bringing musicians from the EU and the U.S. together is a powerful way to honor America as we come to its 250th birthday and showcasing their collaborations in Philadelphia, America’s historic birthplace, is especially meaningful.”
Philadelphia Music Alliance is the local host partner. Additional local support for the program will be provided by Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, WXPN, Rock Lititz, and the City of Philadelphia, among others.
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