Peermusic acquires Australia’s 120 Publishing, names Karen Hamilton MD of Peermusic Australia

Peermusic has acquired Sydney-based music publisher 120 Publishing.

The company has also appointed 120 Publishing’s General Manager, Karen Hamilton, as Managing Director of Peermusic Australia.

The deal gives Peermusic the publishing rights to 120 Publishing’s approximately 5,000 works and 120,000 administered copyrights, according to the company.

Financial terms of the deal, which Peermusic announced on Wednesday (October 28), were not disclosed.

120 Publishing was founded in 2009 by Tim McGee for Ministry of Sound Australia, which now operates as TMRW Music.

The company was set up to support writers and producers from the group’s labels, and Hamilton joined in 2011 to run it, according to Peermusic.

120 Publishing specializes in dance and electronic music writers, producers, and topliners, and pairs local writers with international artists for collaborations.

The company also represents several K-pop and J-pop writers and acts as sub-publisher in Australia and New Zealand for a number of international catalogs.

“The acquisition of 120 Publishing marks our continued investment in the Australasian market and repertoire.”

Mary Megan Peer

“The acquisition of 120 Publishing marks our continued investment in the Australasian market and repertoire,” said Peermusic CEO Mary Megan Peer. “We are proud to steward a catalog with such artistic talent and cultural importance, ensuring these songs and songwriters continue to find new opportunities globally.

“Ralph and I are thrilled to welcome Karen to the helm of Peermusic Australia. Karen’s deep expertise, industry leadership, and proven ability to build her writers’ careers both in Australia and internationally will be a great addition to Peermusic Australia.”

Ralph W. Peer was named Managing Director of Peermusic Australia in 2022, with oversight of creative and administrative operations in Australia, Fiji, New Guinea, and New Zealand.

In 2024, he was appointed to lead Peermusic UK, with the title Managing Director, UK and Australasia.

Peermusic’s announcement on Wednesday gives his title as Managing Director, UK, and Vice President of Peermusic’s African and Middle East operations.

“120 Publishing is an impressive company, grown and run by an exceptional executive, Karen Hamilton,” said Ralph W. Peer. “With this acquisition we have a unique opportunity to grow our presence in Australia and to enhance the services we are able to provide our writers at both the local and global level.

“Karen has built a vibrant community of writers coupled with an impressive collection of local and international hits and I am so pleased she will be bringing those same skills to Peermusic Australia. As we integrate the 120 song catalog, Karen will continue to provide a dedicated home that honors the creative vision of those writers while offering them greater reach through Peermusic’s global network.”

“With this acquisition we have a unique opportunity to grow our presence in Australia and to enhance the services we are able to provide our writers at both the local and global level.”

Ralph W. Peer

Hamilton has more than 30 years of experience across A&R, copyright, royalties, and licensing.

Before joining 120 Publishing, she worked at the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS), MMA Music, Mana Music, and Warner Chappell.

In 1998, she joined John Woodruff Management, working across recordings, publishing, and management for Savage Garden and Darren Hayes.

She later co-founded Rough Cut Music Publishing, which signed and developed acts including Evermore, Kisschasy, Trial Kennedy, and The Butterfly Effect.

Hamilton is Deputy Chair of the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL) and a board director of AMCOS.

“In Peermusic, I’ve found a partner who truly shares those values and delivers on that mission. Joining forces with Peermusic gives our songwriters the infrastructure and global reach to achieve their career goals much faster.”

Karen Hamilton

“As a publishing company that is truly both independent and global, Peermusic is in a class of its own,” said Hamilton. “When I started working in 120 Publishing fifteen years ago, my goal was to put our songwriters first, do the right thing by them, and help create international opportunities for them.

“In Peermusic, I’ve found a partner who truly shares those values and delivers on that mission. Joining forces with Peermusic gives our songwriters the infrastructure and global reach to achieve their career goals much faster.

“Our writers will no doubt benefit from Peermusic’s international creative opportunities and worldwide administrative network. I look forward to working with the Peermusic team and I am honored to be working with this incredible roster of songwriters.”

Tim McGee, CEO of TMRW Music and founder of 120 Publishing, said: “We launched 120 to give the writers and producers across our label group a true in-house publishing home, one that works hand in hand with our recordings, sync and licensing teams. Since joining us, Karen has helped grow the business into something we’re incredibly proud of.

“Peermusic shares our independent, writer-first values, and as a fellow family business it’s a natural fit for 120 and TMRW. We believe it’s the ideal home for the next chapter of the catalog and its writers, and we’re delighted that Karen will continue to play a key role going forward.”

“We launched 120 to give the writers and producers across our label group a true in-house publishing home, one that works hand in hand with our recordings, sync and licensing teams.”

Tim McGee, TMRW Music, 120 Publishing

120 Publishing was among the businesses housed within Ministry of Sound Australia in 2016, when the Australian operation remained independent following Sony Music UK‘s acquisition of Ministry of Sound Recordings.

The 120 Publishing deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Peermusic.

In 2023, the company acquired Norway’s Arctic Rights Management, gaining the publishing rights to more than 5,000 recordings and compositions.

That deal included a publishing interest in Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now and New Rules, and 365 by Zedd and Katy Perry.

In 2020, Peermusic acquired Premier Muzik, All Right Music, and Global Master Rights to form a neighboring rights business.

That business now represents more than 300 recording rights owners and 3,000 performers, according to Peermusic.

In 2019, Peermusic bought South Korea’s Music Cube, adding 40,000 Korean copyrights, including works recorded by BTS.

Peermusic says Korea is now the third-largest territory in its network by revenue.

The company, which describes itself as “the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighboring rights company,” operates 39 offices in 33 countries.

Peermusic was advised by Simpsons Solicitors and represented by its Chief Counsel, Tim Cohan, while 120 Publishing was advised by Brett Oaten Solicitors.Music Business Worldwide