Believe Launches New Music Publishing Division with Chris Meehan as CEO
French music company Believe has officially launched its new music publishing division, Believe Music Publishing, as announced on October 6, 2023. This new venture follows the company’s acquisition of the U.K.-based publisher Sentric Music Group over two years ago, which, at the time of the deal, represented more than four million songs and over 400,000 songwriters across more than 200 territories. Believe acquired Sentric from Utopia Music in a deal valued at €47 million (approximately $51 million), marking a significant step in its expansion into the publishing sector.
Chris Meehan, who co-founded Sentric in 2006 and joined Believe following its acquisition, will serve as the CEO of Believe Music Publishing. He will lead a team of 160 publishing experts, focusing on creative development, synchronization, and revenue optimization. Sentric will continue to provide administrative solutions for self-published songwriters, while its subsidiary, TuneCore, will maintain its publishing administration services for clients.
In a recent press release, Believe highlighted its impressive growth in digital revenue, which was reported to be 13 points above the market average last year for songwriters represented by the company.
Key Appointments and Strategic Goals
The launch of Believe Music Publishing comes with several strategic appointments aimed at enhancing its operations in various territories. Among the key personnel are Ismaël Kané, who will lead the publishing efforts in France, and Alexandra Ziem, formerly of Sony/ATV, who has been appointed head of publishing for Germany. Additionally, Sunil Gursahani, who previously worked with Tips Music, will oversee operations in India and South Asia, while Chris Dampier, formerly of BMI and TuneCore Publishing, will manage North American publishing.
Meehan also appointed Monthira Tunthagadh, based in Thailand, as the A&R manager for Southeast Asia, further expanding the company’s global reach. The roster of Believe Music Publishing includes notable songwriters such as Djo, Eli & Fur, Don Broco, and Ms Banks, showcasing the company’s commitment to supporting diverse talent.
Denis Ladegaillerie, the founder and CEO of Believe, emphasized the significance of this launch in positioning Believe as an integrated global music company. He stated, “With digital now being the biggest driver of collections for creators, and the publishing market exceeding €4 billion after a decade of double-digit growth, we are uniquely positioned to lead the evolving publishing market.”
Meehan also expressed enthusiasm about the new division, highlighting the journey since the acquisition of Sentric. He noted, “I am convinced that our unique model, expert teams, and innovative approach will lead Believe to consolidate its position as a key global publishing player in the years to come.”
The establishment of Believe Music Publishing signifies a pivotal move for the company, enhancing its capabilities in the rapidly evolving digital music landscape and reinforcing its commitment to fostering artist growth at every stage of their careers.
