It was a big night for Warner/Chappell at the 33rd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards, which took place last Wednesday night (April 27) in Los Angeles.
The company, run by CEO Jon Platt, picked up the 2016 Music Publisher of the Year gong at the event, held at the Dolby Ballroom.
In addition, Ryan McMahon and Benjamin Berger of WCM songwriting trio Captain Cuts were honored with the “Song of the Year” award for co-writing Walk the Moon’s smash hit “Shut Up and Dance,”.
Walk The Moon’s success didn’t stop there: they also picked up the Vanguard Award – ‘a recognition of songwriters who are shaping the future of American music’ which had previously been awarded to Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys, Beck, Björk, Sara Bareilles, Diplo, fun., The Killers, Modest Mouse, The Strokes and St. Vincent.
There was a record-breaking moment for Max Martin , when he was named Songwriter of the Year for the ninth time at the annual event.
Martin broke the record previously held by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, thanks to recent pop hits such as “Blank Space” and “Style” (Taylor Swift), “Love Me Like You Do” (Ellie Goulding), “Can’t Feel My Face” (The Weeknd) and “Bad Blood” (Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar).
“Warner/Chappell songwriters defined the sound of 2015’s most popular music.”
Jon Platt, Warner/Chappell
Independent Publisher of the Year was a tie between BMG and SONGS Music Publishing.
Singer-songwriter James Newman presented the award to BMG Music Publishing President Zach Katz for songs including “Trap Queen” (Fetty Wap) and “Where Are Ü Now” (Jack Ü ft. Justin Bieber).
Diplo presented to SONGS CEO Matt Pincus and PresidentRon Perry for songs including “Earned It” (The Weeknd) and “Lean On” (Major Lazer and DJ Snake feat. MØ).
Yet even amongst this array of trophy-collecting, the night largely belonged to Warner/Chappell – whose evening was capped off by its songwriters picking up 22 “Most Performed Song of the Year” awards.
“Warner/Chappell songwriters defined the sound of 2015’s most popular music,” said Jon Platt, CEO, Warner/Chappell Music.
“What is most rewarding is that our biggest songs were born in all corners of the globe, which speaks volumes about our writers’ ability to craft music with truly universal appeal.
“Our winners ranged from Ali Payami in Sweden and Belly in Canada, to Vance Joy in Australia and Captain Cuts here in the U.S., alongside Grammy-winning superstars such as Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars.
“Congratulations to each of our amazingly gifted songwriters, as well as our relentlessly hard-working Warner/Chappell staff around the world. And our deepest thanks to ASCAP for the prestigious honor of Publisher of the Year.”Music Business Worldwide
