TMN Tinnies: Publishing A&R of the Year

In just two days we’ll be celebrating the industry’s best and brightest at Australia’s free music business awards event, the TMN Tinnies.

The final category we have to explore if Publishing A&R of the Year. In the age of digital streaming and global music consumption, publishing A&R has become more important than ever – and judging by these five nominees, it’s a part of the industry that has some very stiff competition.

Who will win? We’ll just have to find out at the TMN Tinniesawards handed outon Friday,February 2.

ArwenHunt (UMPG)

Last year saw theUniversal Music Publishing Australia Vice President make plenty of exciting announcements consistently throughout the year, withglobal publishing deals secured for Melbourne artist Alex the Astronaut, Odette and Thiefjust to name a few, not to mention the success of Gang of Youths at the ARIAs and on the Hottest 100.

But some of the biggest news to come out of UMPG in the last 12 months was without a doubt Ruel, with Curson describing the signing of the young artist following the release of his debut single as “very special”.

Maree Hamblion(Sony/ATV)

Having previously signed the likes of Jarryd James, The Veronicas, The Presets and songwriting team DNA Songs,Maree Hamblionhas a knack for being able to spot talent from a mile away. Now the Joint Head of A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, one of the Hamblion’sbiggest successes of the last 12 months has been with songwriter Sarah Aarons (also nominated for a TMN Tinnie).

After inviting Aarons to an APRA writing camp in Sydney,Hamblion offered the talented 23-year-old a contract at the end of the week. Since then, Aarons co-wrote ‘Stay’ for Zedd and Alessia Cara.

Other notable names underHamblion’s wing include fellow TMN Tinnie nominee Alex Hope and songwriter/producer Joel Little.

Matt Tanner (Native Tongue)

In the role of Head of Creative Services at Native Tongue Music Publishing for just over a year now (after serving as Creative and A&R Manager for six years),2017 saw Matt Tanner sign Aussie rockers The Smith Street Band to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal.

Other Native Tongue names achieving big things include writer and producer Andy Mak (who produced The McClymonts’ #1 ARIA Album Endlessand worked on Vera Blue’sPerennial) as well as Alex Lahey and Jen Cloher.

Craig Hawker (Sony/ATV)

Craig has previously worked with a diverse array of Australian artists including The Cat Empire, Birds of Tokyo and Angus & Julia Stone, but 2017 saw him sign young gun Muki to a worldwide publishing deal.

But it was industry veteran Paul Kelly who also helped deliver the goods for Sony/ATV last year, with his first #1 ARIA Album and a stack of ARIA Award nominations.

Heath Johns (BMG)

Under the guidance ofBMG Australia Managing Director Heath Johns, the publishing side of the business strengthened its roster with global deals for Jesse Porsches, Tigerilla, Golden Features, Dead Letter Circus, Running Touch and Jet.

On a broader note, BMG worldwidealso acquired a 50% interest in the entire publishing back-catalogue of The Potbelleez in 2017 – suggesting that there’s still plenty more sync deals to come for themulti-Platinum dance trio.