SESAC & The Harry Fox Agency team with Gresham Music to launch new rights service in Africa

Gresham Music Group-owned, Johannesburg-based Gresham Rights Management (GRM) has joined forces with SESAC, The Harry Fox Agency, SUISA Digital Licensing and Mint Digital Services to launch a new music rights service in Africa.

Established in 1972 by David Gresham, Gresham Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in Africa.

In the new venture, GRM will serve as the exclusive representative for both SESAC and The Harry Fox Agency in sub-Saharan Africa with a joint licensing operation with SUISA Digital Licensing, which includes data administration by Mint Digital Services.

According to a press release, the new company promises to “enable creators to enjoy faster distributions, lower admin costs and provide African songwriters and publishers access to a broader spectrum of music users across the continent and around the world”.

The partnership will also promises to allow Gresham’s new partners to reach more listeners in retail, gyms, hotels and restaurants via Gresham Music Group business unit Gresham Media, one of the largest service providers for background music in Africa.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Gresham Music Group as they open the door to a new form of licensing, administration and collection for our writers and publishers in sub-Sahara Africa.”

Alexander Wolf, SESAC 

“We are thrilled to join forces with Gresham Music Group as they open the door to a new form of licensing, administration and collection for our writers and publishers in sub-Sahara Africa,” said Alexander Wolf, President of SESAC International.

 “The company’s expertise along with its authoritative resources will provide our affiliates with second- to-none service in the emerging marketplace.”

Vincent Salvade, SUISA Digital Licensing 

Vincent Salvade, Member of the Board of SUISA Digital Licensing added: “The company’s expertise along with its authoritative resources will provide our affiliates with second- to-none service in the emerging marketplace. “

“We are thrilled that GRM chose to work with us and we are looking forward to bringing the proper value of music to one of the most exciting and diverse music markets in the world: Africa.”

Fabian Niggemeier, Mint Digital Services

Fabian Niggemeier, CEO of Mint Digital Services, added:  “Being able to provide superior administrative services on every continent is and always has been the goal of Mint.

“We are thrilled that GRM chose to work with us and we are looking forward to bringing the proper value of music to one of the most exciting and diverse music markets in the world: Africa.”Music Business Worldwide