Warner Chappell Music

American music publishing company

Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Music
Predecessor| Chappell & Co.
Founded| 1987; 37 years ago (1987)
Headquarters|

New York City, New York

United States

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

| Guy Moot (CEO, co-chair)
Carianne Marshall
(COO, co-chair) [1]
Services| Music publishing
Parent| Warner Music Group
Divisions| Warner Chappell Production Music
Website| warnerchappell.com

Warner Chappell Music, Inc. is an American music publishing company and a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group. Warner Chappell Music's catalog consists of over 1.4 million compositions and 150,000 composers, with offices in over 40 countries.[2]

## History

[edit]

The company, founded in 1811 as Chappell & Co., was a British music publishing company and instrument shop in Bond Street, London, that specialised in piano manufacturing.[3] In 1929, Warner Bros. acquired M. Witmark & Sons, Remick Music Corporation and Harms, Inc.[4] Tamerlane Music was acquired in 1969.[5]

Warner Chappell Music was formed in San Antonio, Texas, in 1987, when Warner Music Group Chairman Chuck Kaye led the company to purchase Chappell & Co. from PolyGram (now Universal Music Group) (UMG).[6] In 1988, Warner-Chappell acquired Birch Tree Group (formerly Summy Birchard),[7] publisher of Happy Birthday to You, and the Frances Clark piano method books.[8][9] In 1990, Warner Chappell acquired Mighty Three Music, the publishing company of Thom Bell and Gamble and Huff.[10] The same year, Warner Chappell acquired the Canadian music publisher Gordon V. Thompson Music.[11]

In 1994, Warner Bros. Publications expanded its print music operations by acquiring CPP/Belwin. CPP/Belwin had been the former print music arm of Columbia Pictures.[12]

In 2005, Warner Chappell Music sold most of its printed music division, Warner Bros. Publications, to Alfred Publishing,[13] and in 2006 launched the Pan European Digital Licensing (P.E.D.L.) initiative. In 2007, when Radiohead released In Rainbows through its website on a pay-what-you-wish model, Warner Chappell Music created a streamlined, one-of-a-kind licensing process for the songs on the album[14] that allowed rights users around the world to secure use of the music from a single location.[15]

In 2006, David H. Johnson was elevated to interim CEO and then in 2007 to Chairman & CEO of the company.[16]

In November 2006, Disney Music Publishing and Warner Chappell agreed to a licensing agreement for Europe and South America major markets.[17]

In 2007, the company acquired Non-Stop Music.[18] Additionally, in 2010 it acquired 615 Music, a Nashville-based production music company,[19] and subsequently united all the production music companies under the name Warner Chappell Production Music in 2012.[20] In 2011, it acquired Southside Independent Music Publishing, whose songwriters included Bruno Mars, Brody Brown, and J.R. Rotem.[21] In July 2012, Warner/Chappell purchased the music rights of the film studio Miramax Films.[22]

It was ranked in 2010 by Music & Copyright as the world's third-largest music publisher.[23] Among the songs in the company's library are "Winter Wonderland" and formerly "Happy Birthday to You" until the copyright of the song was invalidated in 2015 and put in the public domain the next year.[24]

In January 2011, Cameron Strang, founder of New West Records and Southside Independent Music Publishing, was named CEO of Warner Chappell Music.[25] He was succeeded by former company president Jon Platt in 2016.[26]

Warner Chappell acquired Frank Gari's studio in 2015, adding to its production music library some of the most well-known television news music themes including those for local stations owned by ABC, CBS, and NBC.[27]

On June 30, 2017, Warner Chappell Music filed a lawsuit against EMI Music Publishing, accusing the latter company of underpaying Warner Music for the royalties of the 20th Century Fox catalogue, which Warner acquired in 1982, as well as the rights to Curtis Mayfield and Kool and the Gang. This controversy arises from EMI's acquisition of Robbins and Feist in the early 1990s.[28]

On January 9, 2019, Guy Moot was named CEO of Warner Chappell Music. He and Carianne Marshall, the company's COO, were appointed co-chairs.[29]

On January 15, 2019, Warner Chappell Music filed a monetization claim against a fanfilm created by Star Wars YouTube channel Star Wars Theory, but rescinded the claim two days later after intervention by Lucasfilm Ltd. on behalf of outraged fans.[30][31] In May 2019, Warner Chappell Music was again criticized for filing overly broad copyright claims, concerning a large number of YouTube videos by Minecraft Youtuber Mumbo Jumbo, who has more than 8 million subscribers, for the sole reason that the intro song on all of them contained samples of a song that was copyrighted by Warner Chappell Music. The Youtuber had paid for a license to use the song, but it turned out that the samples had not been cleared. He stated that he intended to dispute Warner Chappell Music's claims, but that their large number (around 1800) would make this burdensome.[32]

In May 2019, Warner Chappell acquired the Gene Autry Music Group, comprising four music publishers, 1,500 compositions (including "Back in the Saddle Again", "Here Comes Santa Claus", "Just Walkin' in the Rain", and "You Belong To Me"), and several of Autry's master recordings.[33]

In July 2021, Warner Chappell opened its first office in Vietnam.[34]

On January 3, 2022, Variety reported that the estate of English musician David Bowie had sold the late artist's publishing catalog to Warner Chappell Music, "for a price upwards of $250 million".[35]

On January 20, 2022, Warner Chappell signed a worldwide publishing agreement with ABS-CBN Music, the umbrella organization that houses the record label Star Music and its sub-labels, StarPop, Tarsier Records, DNA Music, and Old School Records. One of the biggest music producers in the Philippines, it has the largest catalogue of OPM music, including the international hits such as "Anak" by Freddie Aguilar and "Pangako Sa'yo" by Vina Morales.[36]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Carianne Marshall". Music Business Worldwide. February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
2. ^ "Warner/Chappell Music - HISTORY". Warnerchappell.com. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
3. ^ Tim Arango. "Scratching Under the Vinyl Era". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
4. ^ Spring, Katherine (November 1, 2013). Saying It With Songs: Popular Music and the Coming of Sound to Hollywood Cinema. OUP USA. ISBN 9780199842223.
5. ^ "Warner Chappell Music, Inc". www.fairness.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
6. ^ "Warner Music Group | Timeline". Wmg.com. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
7. ^ "Birchard - IMSLP". imslp.org. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
8. ^ "'Happy Birthday' song to be sold to Warner Communications". UPI. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
9. ^ "'Happy Birthday' and the Money It Makes". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 26, 1989. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
10. ^ Shiver, Jube (July 28, 1990). "L.A. Company Buys Catalogue of Black Music: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext). Los Angeles, Calif., United States. p. 2\. ISSN 0458-3035. ProQuest 281123647. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
11. ^ https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gordon-v-thompson-music-emc
12. ^ Weaver, Jay (October 5, 1994). "Melodic merger print music divisions unite to form world's biggest publishing operation". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. pp. 1–. ProQuest 388726870.
13. ^ "Annual Report for the period ending September 30, 2006". Sec.gov. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
14. ^ "Investor Center - News and Advice from DailyFinance". Bloggingstocks.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
15. ^ "Music Week". Music Week. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
16. ^ "Warner Music Group Names Veteran Music Industry Entrepreneur, Cameron Strang, CEO of Warner/Chappell Music". GlobeNewswire. January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
17. ^ "Warner/Chappell Music, Disney Music extend sub-publishing agreement". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
18. ^ "Warner Music Group - Investor Relations - News Release". Investors.wmg.com. August 6, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
19. ^ "Warner/Chappell Music Acquires Renowned Production Music Company 615 Music". Studio Daily. December 10, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
20. ^ "Warner/Chappel Unites Production Companies, Launches New Website". Billboard. April 5, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
21. ^ "Warner Music Group | News". Wmg.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
22. ^ "Warner/Chappell Purchases Music Rights to All Miramax-Owned Films". The Hollywood Reporter. July 31, 2012.
23. ^ Music & Copyright, April 21, 2010
24. ^ "'Happy Birthday' copyright invalidated by judge". The New York Times. September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
25. ^ "Cameron Strang named CEO of Warner/Chappell". Music Business Worldwide. January 4, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
26. ^ "Jon Platt Named CEO of Warner/Chappell". Billboard. October 6, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
27. ^ "Warner/Chappell buys TV news music company". The Tennessean. January 12, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
28. ^ "Warner/Chappell Says EMI is Underpaying Royalties in New Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. June 30, 2017.
29. ^ Aswad, Jem (January 9, 2019). "Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Names Guy Moot, Carianne Marshall Co-Chairs". Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
30. ^ "YouTube Star Wars Theory Has Vader Fan Film Struck Down by Disney Music Publisher (UPDATE)". Newsweek. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
31. ^ "Lucasfilm Saves Darth Vader Fan Film from Disney Copyright Claim". January 16, 2019.
32. ^ Doctorow, Cory (May 20, 2019). "How Warner Chappell was able to steal revenues from 25% of a popular Minecraft vlogger's channels". Boing Boing. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
33. ^ "Warner Chappell Acquires Gene Autry Music Group". Billboard.
34. ^ "Warner Chappell Music opens Vietnam office". Music Week. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
35. ^ Aswad, Jem (January 3, 2022). "David Bowie's Estate Sells His Publishing Catalog to Warner Chappell (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
36. ^ "Warner Chappell Music Philippines signs global publishing deal with ABS-CBN Music". ABS-CBN Corporate. January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

Archives at

| Location| Library of Congress

|

Source| Warner/Chappell collection, 1920-1959
How to use archival material

* v
* t
* e

Warner Music Group

People|

* Edgar Bronfman Jr.
* Stephen Cooper
* Len Blavatnik
* Michael Lynton
* Mike Caren
* Jac Holzman
* John Janick
* Craig Kallman
* Seymour Stein

300 Elektra Entertainment|

* 300 Entertainment
* 300 Studios
* DTA Records
* Elektra Records
* Elektra France
* Fueled by Ramen
* Low Country Sound
* Public Consumption
* Roadrunner Records
* Sparta
* YSL Records

Atlantic Records Group|

* Asylum Records
* Atco Records
* Atlantic Records
* Atlantic Records UK
* Atlantic Records France
* Bang Records
* Big Beat Records
* Custard Records
* LaSalle Records
* Maybach Music Group
* Owsla
* UpFront Records

Alternative Distribution Alliance|

* 10K Projects
* Artery Recordings
* Compass Records
* Cordless Recordings
* East West Records
* Magna Carta Records
* Rykodisc
* Sub Pop
* WaterTower Music
* Williams Street Records

Rhino Entertainment|

* Del-Fi Records
* Giant Records
* Rhino Records

Spinnin' Records|

* Spinnin' Deep
* Spinnin' Records

Warner Records|

* Festival Mushroom Records
* Clover Music
* FFRR Records
* Helium 3
* Machine Shop Records
* Maverick Records
* Nonesuch Records
* Parlophone
* Jubilee Records
* Roost Records
* Roulette Records
* Reprise Records
* Sire Records
* London-Sire Records
* Stateside Records
* Warner Records

Warner Music Nashville|

* Atlantic Records Nashville
* Fervent Records
* Reprise Records Nashville
* Warner Records Nashville

Arts Music|

* Erato Records
* Sesame Street Records
* Sh-K-Boom Records
* Teldec Records
* Warner Classics

Distribution|

* Alternative Distribution Alliance
* Warner Music Vision
* WEA International
* Warner Music Australasia
* Warner Music Canada
* Warner Music Latina
* Warner Music Philippines
* Warner Music Poland
* Warner Music Sweden
* X5 Music Group

Music publishing and licensing|

* EMP Merchandising
* Warner Chappell Music
* (Warner/Chappell Music v. Fullscreen)
* Warner Strategic Marketing

Other labels|

* Vevo
* Warner Music Indonesia

* v
* t
* e

Music industry

Major companies
and organizations|

| Representatives|

* AMPROFON
* ARIA
* BVMI
* BPI
* Music Canada
* FIMI
* IFPI (worldwide)
* PMB
* PROMUSICAE
* RIAA
* SNEP

|

Publishers|

* BMG Rights Management
* Sony Music Publishing
* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Warner Chappell Music
* Disney Music Publishing

Record labels|

* Major: Sony
* Universal
* Warner
* Independent: Concord
* Independent UK record labels
* AAMG

Retailers|

* Amazon
* Digital music stores (iTunes Store)
* Fnac
* HMV
* Kaspien
* Virgin Megastores

Live music|

* CTS Eventim
* Live Nation
* LiveStyle
* Ticketmaster

Major genres|

* Blues
* Country
* Easy listening
* Electronic
* Experimental
* Folk
* Gospel
* Hip hop
* Jazz
* Latin
* Metal
* New Age
* Pop
* Reggae
* Rhythm and blues
* Rock
* World

Sectors
and roles|

* Album cover design
* Artists and repertoire (A&R)
* Disc jockey
* Distribution
* Entertainment law
* Music education
* Music executive
* Music and fashion
* Music journalism
* Music publisher
* Music store
* Music venue
* Musical instruments
* Professional audio store
* Promotion
* Radio promotion
* Record label
* Record shop
* Road crew
* Talent manager
* Tour promoter

| Production|

* Arrangement
* Songwriter
* Composer
* Lyricist
* Conductor
* Disc jockey
* Hip hop producer
* Horn section
* Record producer
* Rhythm section
* Orchestrator
* Session musician
* Backup singer
* Ghost singer
* Vocal coach
* Ghostwriter
* Sound engineer

|

Release
formats|

* Single (Extended play (EP), 12" single, Cassette single, CD single, Maxi single)
* Album
* Double album, Mixtape
* Music video
* Promotional recording
* Phonograph record
* Eight-track
* Compact cassette
* CD
* DVD
* Airplay
* Music download
* Music streaming service

Live shows|

* Concert
* Concert tour
* Concert residency
* Music festival
* Music competition

Charts|

* ARIA Charts
* Billboard Hot 100
* Billboard Argentina Hot 100
* Billboard Brasil Hot 100
* Canadian Hot 100
* Circle Chart
* G-Music chart
* Irish Singles Chart
* Italian singles chart
* GfK Entertainment charts
* Entertainment Monitoring Africa
* Oricon charts
* New Zealand singles chart
* Rolling Stone Top 100
* Sino Chart
* SNEP singles chart
* Sverigetopplistan
* UK singles chart

Publications|

* Billboard
* HitQuarters
* Hot Press
* Kerrang!
* Mojo
* Musica e dischi
* NME
* Q
* Rolling Stone
* Smash Hits
* Top of the Pops

Television|

| Channels|

* Channel V
* CMT
* Fuse
* Mnet
* MTV
* MTV2
* Tr3s
* MuchMusic
* The Music Factory
* Viva
* VH1
* The Country Network

|

Series|

* Idol franchise
* Popstars
* Star Academy
* The Four
* The Voice
* The X Factor
* Rising Star

Achievements|

* Music award
* Best-selling music artists
* In: Brazil
* Finland
* Germany
* Japan
* United Kingdom (Females)
* United States
* Genre:
* Latin
* Nationality:
* Belgian
* Brazilian
* British
* Italian
* Swedish
* Best-selling albums
* by country
* Best-selling singles
* by country
* Highest-paid musicians
* Highest-grossing live music artists
* Highest-grossing concert tours
* by women
* Latin
* Most-attended concert tours
* Most-attended concerts
* Global Recording Artist of the Year
* Wealthiest musical artists

Other|

* Album era
* Album-equivalent unit
* A-side and B-side
* Backmasking
* Bootleg recording
* Christian music industry
* Environmental impact
* Hidden track
* Largest music deals
* Largest recorded music markets
* Most expensive albums
* Most valuable records
* Music certification
* Parental Advisory
* Record sales
* Surprise album
* White label

* Record production portal
* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

Other|

* MusicBrainz label
* 2

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