Lauren Spencer Smith signs global music publishing deal with Warner Chappell

L to R: Guy Moot, Co-Chair & CEO, WCM; Rich Christina, SVP, A&R & Venture Partners, WCM; Lauren Spencer Smith; Ziggy Chareton, Manager, Island Records; Doug Mark, Attorney, Mark Music and Media Law; Katy Wolaver, SVP, A&R, WCM

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a global publishing deal with pop artist Lauren Spencer Smith.

At 18 years old, the singer-songwriter has already amassed a following of 3.6 million on TikTok, releasing breakout UK No. 4 hit Fingers Crossed, plus the single Flowers.

She dropped her newest song, Narcissist in July, which she performed live for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 8.

Spencer Smith saw Fingers Crossed rise into the UK Top 5 in January while still an independent artist releasing her music via TuneCore. She subsequently signed a deal with Island Record in the US for her recorded music catalog and releases.

Discussing her new deal with Warner Chappell, she said: “I’m so grateful to begin this new chapter of my songwriting journey with Warner Chappell and to join their amazing roster of clients. Since I first met with Guy Moot, Rich Christina and Katy Wolaver, they understood my artistic vision, appreciated my artistry and most importantly felt like family.”

Warner Chappell Music SVP, A&R, Katy Wolaver, said: “Lauren is well on her way to becoming the voice of her generation. Her music is filled with relatable and unfiltered lyrics as well as stunning vocals, and she has this natural star power that all of us at Warner Chappell believe in.”

Warner Chappell Music SVP, A&R and Venture Partners, Rich Christina, noted: “Lauren is one of the most extraordinary young singer-songwriters in pop music today. She’s a one-of-a-kind talent with a long bright future ahead. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome her into the Warner Chappell family.”

Last week, Warner Chappell Music (WCM) entered into a new licensing agreement with the short-form video platform Kuaishou. Under the deal with Kuaishou, Warner Chappell’s music will be available for use on the platform, offering what the publisher says is ‘exciting new content to Kuaishou’s userbase”.

Earlier in June 2022, WCM and Kevin Hart’s media company HARTBEAT, entered into an exclusive music publishing partnership that will see WCM help build HARTBEAT’s music catalog across HARTBEAT Studios, HARTBEAT Media, and PULSE.

 Music Business Worldwide