French music company Believe has launched a new music publishing arm, the company announced Tuesday (Oct. 6).
Believe Music Publishing launches more than two years after Believe acquired U.K.-based publisher Sentric Music Group, which represented more than four million songs and over 400,000 songwriters in more than 200 territories at the time of the deal. Believe bought Sentric from Utopia Music in a transaction that valued it at €47 million ($51 million). When the transaction was announced, Believe founder/CEO Denis Ladegaillerie billed it as a “first step” in the company’s expansion into publishing.
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Chris Meehan, who joined Believe following its acquisition of Sentric, which he founded in 2006, will serve as CEO of Believe Music Publishing, overseeing a staff that includes 160 publishing experts and dedicated teams across creative, synch and revenue optimization. Sentric will continue offering admin solutions for self-published songwriters, while its TuneCore subsidiary, which was included in the 2023 acquisition of Sentric, will continue providing its clients with a publishing admin service.
In a press release, Believe says it grew digital revenue 13 points above the market last year for songwriters represented by the company.
In addition to Meehan, several other executives have been appointed as leaders of Believe Music Publishing in various territories, including:
Ismaël Kané, who previously oversaw BlueSky’s publishing activities in France and elsewhere, who will serve as head of publishing in France.
Alexandra Ziem, previously director of creative at Sony/ATV, as head of publishing for Believe in Germany.
Sunil Gursahani, previously with Tips Music, as head of Believe Music Publishing in India and South Asia.
Chris Dampier — previously director of film, TV and visual media at BMI and vp at TuneCore Publishing — as head of publishing in North America.
Monthira Tunthagadh, a Thailand-based executive who previously oversaw international publishing management at GMM Grammy, as A&R manager for Southeast Asia.
Believe Music Publishing’s roster includes songwriters such as Djo, Eli & Fur, Don Broco, Enter Shikari, Monobloc, The Lottery Winners, Ms Banks, Sammy Virji and La Fleur.
“The launch of Believe Music Publishing consolidates Believe’s position as an integrated global music company,” said Ladegaillerie in a statement. “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, where growth continues to be increasingly driven by digital, with a publishing arm that now matches and complements our leadership in recording. I am confident that Chris and the outstanding team he is building will successfully drive our innovative digital-first offering, putting our global and comprehensive approach at the service of artists, labels and publishers at each stage of their careers.”
Meehan added, “It has been an incredible journey and honor to build the foundations and see the first exceptional results of Believe’s publishing business, since its acquisition of Sentric. I am convinced that our unique model, expert teams, innovative approach with our CMO and DSP partners, as well as our industry leading technology will lead Believe to consolidate its position as a key global publishing player in the years to come.”
