Peermusic has completed its acquisition of 120 Publishing.
In connection with the transaction, Peermusic has appointed 120 Publishing general manager Karen Hamilton as managing director of Peermusic Australasia. Hamilton has more than 30 years' experience in the industry across A&R, copyright, royalties and licensing.
The deal will give Peermusic the publishing rights to 120 Publishing’s approximately 5,000 works and 120,000 administered copyrights. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
120 Publishing is a Sydney-based music publishing firm with a special interest in working with dance and electronic music writers, producers and topliners, and a focus on setting up collaborations between local writers and international artists.
The company also represents several K-pop andJ-pop writers and acts as a sub-publisher for international catalogues in Australia and New Zealand.
120 Publishing was founded by Tmrw Music Group CEO Tim McGee in 2009 for Ministry of Sound Australia (now operating as Tmrw Music), to support writers and producers from the group’s labels. Karen Hamilton joined in 2011 to run the company.
Mary Megan Peer, CEO, Peermusic, said: “The acquisition of 120 Publishing marks our continued investment in the Australasian market and repertoire. We are proud to steward a catalogue 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.”
120 Publishing is an impressive company, grown and run by an exceptional executive, Karen Hamilton
Ralph W Peer
Ralph W Peer, managing director, UK and vice president of Peermusic’s African and Middle East operations, said: “120 Publishing is an impressive company, grown and run by an exceptional executive, Karen Hamilton. 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 catalogue, Karen will continue to provide a dedicated home that honours the creative vision of those writers while offering them greater reach through Peermusic’s global network.”
Karen Hamilton said: “As a publishing company that is truly both independent and global, Peermusic is in a class of its own. When I started working in 120 Publishing 15 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 honoured to be working with this incredible roster of songwriters.”
Tim McGee, CEO, Tmrw Music and founder of 120 Publishing, added: “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 catalogue and its writers, and we're delighted that Karen will continue to play a key role going forward."
PHOTO: Ralph W Peer and Karen Hamilton (credit: Peermusic)
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