Kobalt signs neighbouring rights deal with Secretly Distribution 09 Mar 2020
Roster’s Groundbreaking Artists Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Mitski, and More to Benefit in Collection of Neighbouring Rights
Kobalt today announced that Secretly Distribution has signed an international neighbouring rights deal (via its affiliate BWSCD UK Limited). The Kobalt neighbouring rights deal includes recordings distributed by Secretly Distribution in several key European, Latin American, African and Asian territories. This includes recordings by groundbreaking artists such as Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Crumb, Mitski, TV On the Radio, Tycho, Mac Demarco, Lilly & Madeleine, Shura, Kishi Bashi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Angel Olsen, Slowdive, The War On Drugs, Khruangbin, and more.
Said Kobalt Neighbouring Rights CEO, Ann Tausis, “Secretly Distribution and Kobalt are kindred spirits. We both work with artists and labels to ensure the maximum amount of money is collected and paid to the creators and owners of the music wherever it is used. This deal brings together Secretly's curatorial and ethical approach with Kobalt's expertise in neighbouring rights.”
Secretly Distribution is a leading global music distribution platform, relying on a fully independent network of partners around the world. Secretly Distribution was a co-author of the Worldwide Independent Network’s Fair Digital Deals Declaration, and, in 2018, it was the very first distributor to share liquidated Spotify equity, distributing over 80% of the millions in dollars it received to its artists and labels. Committed to fair and transparent business practices and an art first approach, Secretly Distribution has grown substantially over its two decades of existence, now representing over one hundred labels, thousands of artists, and an extraordinarily diverse range of genres.
Said, Chris Cannon, Secretly Distribution’s Head of International Strategy, “We are very excited to be working with the team at Kobalt, to utilize their extraordinary expertise to more accurately and efficiently collect neighboring rights revenues in many key territories around the world, while we continue our focus on seeking out and working with the world's most quality-oriented labels and artists.”
Kobalt Neighbouring Rights is the largest neighbouring rights agent in the world, representing over 2,000 performers. Our efficient and diligent direct registration and collection around the globe ensures accurate and speedy royalty payments to our clients. This, combined with real time royalty updates on our portal, transparent reporting and personal service makes us an unrivalled partner for your neighbouring rights collection. Other chart-topping hitmakers that have entrusted Kobalt to administer their neighbouring rights income around the world include A$AP Rocky, The Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, Lil Wayne, Sia, Young Thug and more.
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THE HEADLINES
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How music-backed securitisation can strike a bum note (see Comment)
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Is Taylor Swift’s Showgirl era set to propel her to even greater heights? (see Features)
Why aren’t all songwriters being paid for their songs in live concerts? (see Comment)
StubHub allowed prolific tout to list 300 tickets for sold-out Lewis Capaldi show (see News)
Predatory music deals and the perpetuity problem (see Comment)
U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Muller Jr. release statements on Israel and Gaza (see News)
Some artists are leaving Spotify (again). Here’s what’s different now (see Comment)
Have record labels turned into private equity firms? (see Comment)
How the Swedes altered the songwriting process (see Features)