Music company BMG and ITV Studios have announced a global collaboration which makes BMG the new music partner of choice across all areas of ITV Studios’ business, including records, publishing, production music and synch.

 The partnership consists of a global music publishing and administration agreement for future commissioned music, the launch of a joint venture production music label and the development of a customised online platform. ITV Studios will also collaborate with BMG and its artist and composer clients “on new creative synergies.” For BMG it presents opportunities for the marketing of frontline artists as well as potential joint programme and film development concepts. 

David McGraynor, Chief Operating Officer, ITV Studios, said: “Music is a key part of the world-class programmes our talented production teams around the globe create to entertain millions of viewers. BMG demonstrated that they understood our music challenges and have come to the table with innovative solutions. We are looking forward to connecting our teams and working with everyone at BMG around the world to make this partnership a huge success.”

Alistair Norbury, President Repertoire & Marketing BMG UK, said: “Entering into such a comprehensive partnership in the middle of the pandemic when we can’t all be in the same room together is an incredible testament to BMG and ITV Studios’ ability to work in a coordinated way across all business segments. The partnership opens up a great opportunity for our artists and songwriter clients to maximise their exposure to television audiences. I would like to thank ITV Studios for their faith in BMG.”

As part of the deal, the two will launch a new co-owned production music label. BMG Production Music will also provide ITV Studios with preferential global access to its entire production music repertoire line-up.

John Clifford, EVP & Global MD, BMG Production Music, said: “We are thrilled to kick off the production music part of this game-changing partnership with ITV Studios and our teams around the world. Not only does this deal slingshot our production music business to an almost immediate, market-leading position in the UK – but with ITV Studios already established as a prominent international production company, we are excited to play a significant, mutually beneficial role in further advancing ITV Studios’ music strategy around the world.”

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1st Row L to R – Scott Doran (Managing Director BMG PM U.K); Sam Delves (Director, Global Marketing BMG PM); Jonathan Kyte (Director – Global Publishing Client Services BMG); Aidan Kenny (SVP, Royalty Services & Income Tracking BMG); 2nd Row L to R – Tom Stingemore (SVP Sync BMG UK + INTL); Alistair Norbury (President, Marketing & Repertoire BMG UK); Yoly Cush (Director, Marketing & Promotions Deep East Music); Caspar Kedros (VP Operations BMG PM U.K); 3rd Row L to R – Cassie McIlroy (VP Business Development BMG); Michael Cromwell (Director, Sales & Marketing BMG PM U.K); Stephen Whiting (Head of Music – Non-Scripted / Factual, ITV Studios); John Clifford (EVP & Global MD, BMG PM); 4th Row L to R – Rachel Williams (Controller of Music ITV); Dan Pounder (EVP & Global Commercial Director, BMG PM); Nicola Francis (Head of Music – Non-Scripted / Entertainment, ITV Studios); Jennifer Noya (Snr. Manager Music, Non-Scripted, ITV Studios); 5th Row L to R – George Hyde (Manager, LBA, BMG UK); Janet Anderson (SVP – Global Publishing Services, BMG); Justine Rodgers (Director of Business Affairs, ITV Studios UK); Kathy Cochran (Head of Music – Scripted, ITV Studios)