BMG and SESAC Digital Licensing expand partnership to license Australian music

BMG and SESAC Digital Listening have expanded a partnership to create new licensing deals for BMG’s Anglo-American repertoire in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Following on from a successful partnership in the Indian market from early 2019, SESAC will now negotiate licensing deals with digital streaming platforms and local service providers within the three territories on behalf of BMG.

The deal will allow for a streamlined licensing process that will see BMG retrieve and deliver royalties to songwriters and producers more quickly.

The partnership will also be administered by music rights organisation Mint Digital Services, drawing on a database of over 20 million documented works to officiate license agreements for online services.

Among the local songwriters to be represented in BMG and SESAS’ expanded partnership include Crowded House, Wolfmother, Cut Copy, Ladyhawke and Alison Wonderland, while international acts such as Aphex Twin, Bruno Mars, Ringo Starr and Lenny Kravitz are also included in the deal.

SESAC president Alexander Wolf said that Mint’s administration of the partnership would allow for BMG clients to receive royalty payments in a much more efficient manner.

“We’re excited to take the next steps with BMG as we continue our growth in both Southeast Asia and the ANZ region,” Wolf said.

“The collaboration will not only provide efficiencies within the territories, it will also deliver value to BMG’s clients with faster royalty payments through Mint.”

BMG’s chief operating officer Ben Katovsky also welcomed the extension of the partnership between SESAC and Mint and highlighted its value for artists.

“With SESAC and Mint we have found an ideal partner for digital licensing and royalty administration in these rapidly growing regions,” Katovsky said.

“We continually seek the best digital opportunities for our clients and are excited to deliver an even better service to them through this new partnership.”