Avex Music Group (AMG), the global music division of Tokyo-listed entertainment company Avex, has established catalog acquisitions as a core unit within its global publishing business.
On Monday (April 27), the company announced a $100 million initial commitment for the “first phase” of its strategy to acquire “premier music publishing catalogs, music publishing companies, and culturally significant copyrights over the next 12 months.”
The expansion builds on AMG’s existing frontline publishing operations across North America, Asia, and key international markets. Financing for the plan is being provided through City National Bank.
To mark the launch of the new initiative, AMG acquired the publishing catalog of producer and songwriter Infamous (Marco Rodriguez), who co-wrote and co-produced Lose Control by Teddy Swims, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went multi-platinum. His catalog also includes work with Lil Wayne and Charlie Puth.
“Our success in frontline publishing has created strong global momentum, and expanding into catalog is a natural evolution of that strategy. This initial $100 million represents the first phase of a broader, long-term commitment to building a scaled global catalog business.”
Brandon Silverstein, Avex Music Group
Avex Music Group CEO Brandon Silverstein is leading the acquisition strategy alongside CFO Ryusuke (Ryan) Kamada and Spencer LeBoff, SVP, Head of Publishing & Acquisitions.
Silverstein said: “At Avex Music Group, we are focused on investing in culturally defining music at every stage, from creation through long-term ownership.
“Our success in frontline publishing has created strong global momentum, and expanding into catalog is a natural evolution of that strategy. This initial $100 million represents the first phase of a broader, long-term commitment to building a scaled global catalog business.”
AMG operates across music publishing, recorded music, studio operations, catalog and company acquisitions, as well as artist management through S10 Entertainment.
S10 Publishing was formed by Silverstein in 2020 as a joint venture with Avex.
Avex invested in S10 Entertainment in May 2024 and then acquired 100% of the S10 Music Publishing song catalog and an additional stake in Silverstein’s S10 Management in early 2025.
The launch of the acquisition fund comes over a month after Los Angeles-headquartered AMG signed Bruno Mars to a global music publishing administration deal, giving it exclusive administration rights over songs Mars writes during the term of the agreement.
In another major move in February, AMG entered into a distribution deal with The Orchard for all future releases.
The deal covers distribution in territories worldwide, excluding Japan, China, and Korea. The first new music expected to be released under the deal will be music from We The Band, who also serve as Justin Bieber’s longtime backing band.
AMG’s publishing roster now includes Kamal Wilson, a co-writer on Kehlani‘s Folded, Elkan, credited on Drake’s Nokia, and Grant Boutin, who contributed to multiple Tate McRae releases including Sports Car, Tit for Tat, and Revolving Door.
Music Business Worldwide