Warner signs fresh publishing chief EMI signs Pink Floyd – again

Warner Music signs issuing exec behind Cee Lo’s “F*** You”

Warner Music Group has signed up a fresh publishing chief Cameron Strang as CEO of Warner/Chappell Music, its music publishing unit. The world’s No.3 music company said David Johnson, who previously held the joint title of chairman/CEO of Warner/Chappell, will carry on as chairman until July at which point Strang will take on the additional role of chairman as well.

Johnson, who was before the company’s general counsel, has led Warner/Chappell since 2006.
Strang, 44, founded New West Records and Southside Independent Music Publishing in 1995. As part of deal Warner/Chappell has obtained Strang’s Southside whose songs include 2010 hits like B.oB.’s Nothin’ on You and Cee Lo Green’s “F*** You” (pictured left) both nominated for Record of Year 2011.

Music publishing has usually been the unfashionable arm of the music industry when compared to the label side. But in recent years it has become more and more valuable part of the business because of its steady cash flow from a variety of revenue sources beyond decrease CD sales.

Song publishers are usually run by some of the veterans of the business like Marty Bandier, 70, at Sony/ATV Music Publishing who have great skill at extracting value out of songs for decades after they were first released. Strang’s knowledge of today’s hit music could put him in good stead for both short and the long-term.