New York-headquartered music company SESAC Music Group is expanding its Music Services division, aiming to provide a customizable platform for artists, songwriters, independent labels, and music publishers.
The move combines the expertise of companies under the SESAC umbrella, including AudioSalad, Audiam, HFA, Mint, Music Services, and Rumblefish. The new Music Services division will provide licensing, royalty collection, and administration services to clients worldwide.
The move comes less than a year after SESAC acquired music administration organization Music Services.
To spearhead international growth, industry veteran Andy Bodkin joins the team as President, International. Bodkin’s focus will be on securing services for clients outside the US.
Bodkin brings over two decades of music industry experience, having held leadership positions in sales, marketing, and business management. Before joining SESAC, he served as Group CEO at Out of the Ark, a multi-award-winning music publisher. He also boasts an 18-year tenure at CCLI, where he played a role in propelling the organization’s growth across the UK, Europe, and Africa.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a team whose vision aligns with my passion for seeing music reach a wider audience, seeing creatives served well and transparency in how music businesses are managed.”
Andy Bodkin, SESAC Music Group
“I’m thrilled to be joining a team whose vision aligns with my passion for seeing music reach a wider audience, seeing creatives served well and transparency in how music businesses are managed,” said Bodkin.
“I know we will continue to expand the Music Services division as a world-class service that draws on the global power of SESAC Music Group.”
“[Andy Bodkin’s] expertise and background will be instrumental in the growth of our Music Services division internationally.”
Malcolm Hawker, SESAC Music Group
Malcolm Hawker, COO, SESAC Music Group, added: “It’s an honor to have Andy join our team and continue our goal of providing a world-class global licensing and administration service offering for creators, independent record labels, and music publishers. His expertise and background will be instrumental in the growth of our Music Services division internationally.”
SESAC, which represents the rights of around 30,000 songwriters including Adele, Neil Diamond, Rosanne Cash and Bob Dylan, is owned by investment giant Blackstone, which bought the PRO in 2017. The company offers a range of data, technology, and services to music industry professionals across various segments.
The company’s latest expansion plan arrives nine months after SESAC partnered with five Asian collection societies to form a multi-territorial digital licensing hub. Last year, SESAC Digital Licensing struck an exclusive digital licensing deal with Wise Music Australia (part of the Wise Music Group) for the latter’s catalog in Asia (excluding Japan, South Korea and China).
Music Business Worldwide