Overnight news from around the world: Thursday, June 16

Mike McCormack replaces Paul Connolly as MD of UMPG UK

Universal Music Publishing Group has made a significant change to its management team in Europe with the appointment of Mike McCormack to the position of managing director of UMPG’s UK operations. In his new role, effective immediately, McCormack will report to Los Angeles, California-based Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG. McCormack replaces Paul Connolly, one of the longest standing music publishing executive in the UK. Connolly - who joined in 1988 what was then MCA Music, and who ascended to the role of MD in 1994 - is stepping down with immediate effect. Connolly also relinquishes his role as president of Europe, which he held since 2005. Sources at UMPG say that Connolly will not be replaced as head of Europe, Gerson preferring a more flexible structure with European managing directors now reporting to UMPG's global management team. (Music Week)

Whittingdale in Brexit vow

Culture secretary John Whittingdale said last night that a UK exit from the European Union would not adversely affect the success of British artists around the world. Speaking at a UK Music reception at the House Of Commons to launch the trade body’s Wish You Were Here music tourism study, Whittingdale – who is campaigning for a Leave vote – hailed “another great year for British music”. “Once again, British music is conquering the world,” he said. “Once again, we had a British artist at the top of album sales [charts] across the globe, and it’s British artists who are conquering countries across the world. It’s because we are the most extraordinarily creative nation on the planet – and that has nothing to do with whether or not we are in the European Union. This is probably the last event taking place in the House Of Commons before what happens in a week’s time and the world may or may not be different,” he added. “But the one thing which I’m absolutely certain about is that British music will go on continuing to thrive.”

Spotify partners with dating app

Dating app Bumble has partnered with Spotify on a feature that allows people to show their favorite musicians in their profile. Once the two accounts are connected, Bumble will start showing the artists users have streamed the most; others will then be able to tap on their album artwork to jump into Spotify to start listening. (The Verge)

Three artists pull out of ATP Iceland

Múm, Blanck Mass and Fabio Frizzi have all pulled out of the ATP Iceland festival. Frizzi issued a statement on Twitter, which said: “We’ve made every effort to make this show happen, but unfortunately the lack of communication and the failure to honour any of the agreements that we made with Barry Hogan (ATP), made it impossible for us to perform at this year’s ATP Iceland. It is a great shame since as we were very excited about these shows.” Múm said “the terms of the agreement with the festival have not been honoured”, while Blanck Mass simply said it was “just not possible to be able to play” the event, which is due to take place from July 1-3. ATP Iceland has distanced itself from the ATP company, following the cancellation of ATP's Drive Like Jehu-curated event earlier this year. (DIY)

Apple head denies firm could stop selling music

Eddy Cue has dismissed speculation that Apple could stop selling music in order to focus on its streaming business. Speaking at the WWDC conference in San Francisco, Cue admitted that bigger growth will come in subscriptions rather than music downloads, but that selling music remains "huge business", and that such rumours were "not true". (Belfast Telegraph)

Sixx:AM ramp up YouTube campaign

Sixx:AM have ramped up their campaign regarding You Tube paying musicians properly by writing a letter to Google’s Larry Page. he sound of musicians knocking on YouTube’s door demanding change is growing ever louder. “Recently, as a result of action and statements made by artists as diverse as Sixx:AM, Debbie Harry, Nelly Furtado, Jay Z, Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, Stephen Tyler and Billy Joel, YouTube’s CBO Robert Kyncl met with independent artist representatives and asked them to help pause this protest in return for action,” the letter states. “The lack of action has hit a sour note with musicians, so we will be RENEWING OUR PROTESTS and taking the issue into our own hands. Artists from every genre are finding it impossible to pursue their art in a world dominated by YouTube. Without changes, young musicians will no longer be able to make music for a living and the next generation of fans will be robbed of great artists. Dreams of breaking into the music industry will effectively be unattainable.”

Grammys renew broadcast deal with CBS

The Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammy Awards, has renewed its partnership with US TV network CBS for another 10 years. The Grammy Awards have been on CBS since 1973 and this new agreement - signed by Leslie Moonves, chairman of the board, president and CEO of CBS Corporation and Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy - will keep the ceremony on CBS Television Network through 2026. In addition to the awards broadcast, the agreement includes The Recording Academy’s annual two-hour Grammy specials, as well as additional programming opportunities.

CMA opens review into secondary ticketing sites

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a compliance review into the four largest secondary ticketing websites. The CMA is carrying out a review to assess whether the four sites – Viagogo, Ticketmaster-operated Seatwave and Get Me In! and eBay-owned StubHub are providing adequate information to consumers. (Music Week)

Sony/ATV promotes Johnny Tennander to MD of Scandinavian arm

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has promoted Johnny Tennander to the role of MD of the Scandinavian company. Tennander will oversee all the operations of Sony/ATV Scandinavia, based out of its Stockholm offices. The promotion comes into effect immediately and he reports into Guy Henderson, Sony/ATV’s executive vice president of international. He succeeds Patrik Sventelius who has left to pursue other opportunities. The new role will run alongside Tennander’s other responsibilities as senior vice president A&R Europe within Sony/ATV’s pan-European A&R team. (Music Week)

Third Side Music partners with The Clyde Otis Music Group

LA and Montreal-based Third Side Music has announced an admin partnership with The Clyde Otis Music Group (TCOMG), a classic soul, R'n'B and hip hop catalogue. ?Clyde Otis was a songwriter, producer and A&R exec. The catalogue includes hits from Nat "King" Cole, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Ray Charles, Brook Benton, Dinah Washington, The Isley Brothers and Wilson Pickett. Modern iterations of these songs have been interereted by artists like Gil Scott Heron / Jamie XX, Drake and Rihanna, Michael Buble and Sharon Jones. TCOMG has been overseen for the last 20 years by Clyde's son, Isidro Otis.

Elton John to headline BBC Radio 2's Live In Hyde Park

Elton John will headline this year's BBC Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park on Sunday, September 11. Other acts will include Madness, Travis and Gregory Porter. (BBC)

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