Disney Music Group (DMG) in Burbank, Calif., has created a one-stop synch and licensing department for the usage of DMG masters and publishing. The creation of this new team allows licensees to have only one negotiation when licensing music that DMG solely controls, including most music that has ever been created by The Walt Disney Company for its movies, television shows and theme parks.
On the artist side, DMG controls the publishing to such artists as Grace Potter, ZZ Ward, Bridgit Mendler, Redlight King, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and others. The department reports to Dominic Griffin, vice president of licensing, DMG.
“By streamlining the licensing clearance process, we’ve been able to pitch, negotiate and close deals much more quickly than before,” says Ken Bunt, executive vice president, DMG. “Dominic and his team have already increased the volume of licensing significantly, as well as positively affecting sales of our music.”
ZZ Ward’s single, “Put The Gun Down,” was used in promotional spots for ABC’s hit television show, Nashville and NBC’s The Voice, as well as for the Discovery Network, all resulting in sales upticks.
“By creating this new department, we were able to expand our services to our artists, songwriters, and partners globally,” Griffin adds. “We have a wealth of both classic and contemporary music to offer. We recently completed a deal with the Just Dance franchise and licensed 25 songs we own and control, which will ship well over a million units.”
According to DMG, this is the first time a major music company has successfully been able to combine the licensing process, resulting in a quick turnaround and better access to an enormous selection of songs.
Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, and Disney Music Publishing. The labels’ rosters include Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Lucy Hale, American Idol finalist Stefano, Coco Jones, R5, Bridgit Mendler, Plain White T’s, Redlight King, ZZ Ward, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as the Grammy nominated soundtracks for The Muppets, Brave, Avengers Assemble, Phineas and Ferb, A.N.T. Farm, Shake It Up, and Wreck-It Ralph.
Visit Disney Music Group at waltdisneystudios.com/corp/unit/72.
