OTM Music, the independent publisher founded by Alex Sheridan, has entered into a strategic merger with Partisan Music, the independent music group built around Brooklyn label Partisan Records.
The merger follows Partisan’s acquisition of Firebird’s interest in OTM, a transaction that, according to a press release, makes Partisan the “majority partner” in the publishing business.
OTM will become the primary publishing interest of the Partisan Music group, the two companies said in an announcement on Thursday (September 24).
As part of the merger, OTM will incorporate the team and roster of Left Music, the publishing company Partisan set up with Craig Michie in 2022.
The enlarged operation will have staff in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris.
Its combined roster includes Leon Michels, Gianluca Buccellati, Sudan Archives, Tom Brenneck, Andrew Aged, Sub Focus, Elizabeth Fraser, and Metronomy‘s Joseph Mount.
Sheridan continues as Founder and CEO, working alongside Michie, President & Head of North America, and Kate Sweetsur, Head of A&R, on the company’s creative and roster development. Sweetsur joined OTM in 2024.
Partisan‘s sync team will be combined with OTM‘s to service repertoire from across the group.
Michie and Sweetsur previously worked together at BMG Chrysalis and Big Deal Music. Michie, who was an A&R manager at BMG Chrysalis before becoming VP, Creative at Big Deal Music, signed Tame Impala‘s Kevin Parker as a songwriter during his time at BMG Chrysalis.
Sweetsur, who spent nine years at Chrysalis Music before its sale to BMG and later served as co-Head of A&R at BMG Chrysalis, has signed writers including Fraser T Smith, Labrinth, Joy Crookes, Steve Mac, and Wayne Hector.
“Partisan has built an exceptional independent music business and shares our belief in putting creativity and long-term relationships first,” said Alex Sheridan, Founder and CEO of OTM Music. “Craig, Kate and I have worked together at different points throughout our careers, so bringing that experience together again is particularly exciting.
“We have a clear shared vision for the kind of publishing company we want to build and an incredible roster to build it around.”
Alex Sheridan, OTM Music
“We have a clear shared vision for the kind of publishing company we want to build and an incredible roster to build it around. I would like to thank Firebird for their belief in OTM and wish them well for the future. I couldn’t be more thrilled to build the next phase of OTM with such an exciting team, and provide a Boutique at Scale option for our writers, present and future.”
“Our partnership with OTM will allow Partisan to provide high-level creative services for music writers and publishing catalogs at the same caliber as we do for recording artists,” said Zena White, COO of Partisan.
“Our partnership with OTM will allow Partisan to provide high-level creative services for music writers and publishing catalogs at the same caliber as we do for recording artists.”
Zena White, Partisan
“The reuniting of Craig Michie and Kate Sweetsur to lead A&R is an exciting proposition, while Alex and OTM’s track record in sync is undeniable. We can’t wait to be involved in so much more incredible music via the writers across OTM’s roster.”
The companies said the merger arrives at “a time of significant change across the global music publishing market,” pointing to consolidation, new investment, and technology across the sector.
Partisan launched Left Music in March 2022, with Michie as Founder and President, and signed a global administration agreement with Sony Music Publishing UK covering the division’s roster.
At launch, Partisan said Left Music held a catalog of more than 1,500 copyrights, including works by Elizabeth Fraser, Novo Amor, and UNKLE.
Partisan Records was established in 2007 in Brooklyn by Tim Putnam and Ian Wheeler. Its recordings roster includes Cigarettes After Sex, Geese, Cameron Winter, Ezra Collective, IDLES, Blondshell, Interpol, PJ Harvey, and Laura Marling, plus the catalog of Fela Kuti.
In November 2024, the label signed a global distribution deal with Universal Music Group‘s Virgin Music Group.
Firebird, which is exiting its interest in OTM, was founded in 2022 by former Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard and ex-KKR partner Nat Zilkha, with Raine Group as lead investor.
The company confirmed its investment in OTM – then trading as One Two Many Music – in June 2023, alongside stakes in Mick Management, Ntertain, Defected Records, and Tape Room Music.
Its portfolio spans management, labels, and publishing, and in March 2026 the company acquired a majority stake in Goodlife Management, the home of Fred again.., The Blessed Madonna, and others.
Hubbard told MBW in March that Firebird had deployed over USD $300 million to date, and planned to deploy “upwards of half a billion dollars” in capital into artist partnerships over the following 24 months.
OTM, founded by Sheridan in 2017, has built its business around a curated roster, with a focus on creative services and sync.
The companies said the expanded business will keep that model while adding scale, international reach, and resources to OTM.Music Business Worldwide
