Publishing Briefs: Reservoir Hitches Ride With Steph Jones; AMR Songs Buys Piece of ‘Hand Clap’

Reservoir Media has signed a go-forward publishing deal with platinum-selling songwriter Steph Jones. The genre-fluid Angeleno has co-written songs for a who’s-who of hitmakers, including Selena Gomez (“People You Know”), P!nk (“Happy”), Keith Urban (“Polaroid”), Panic! At the Disco (“Roaring 20s”), Celine Dion (“Look At Us Now”), Latto (“Lottery”) and Kelsea Ballerini (“Hole in the Bottle”). The biggest feather in her cap, at least recently, has been the success of her collaboration with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter for her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send. The pair co-wrote several songs on the album, which rose to No. 23 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, including “Bet U Wanna,” “Bad for Business,” the bonus track “Things I Wish You Said” and “Nonsense,” which cracked the top 40 on the Pop Airplay chart. (Fun Fact: Carpenter nearly left it off the album.)

“Among the industry’s circles, ‘Steph Jones’ is the name on everybody’s lips,” said Reservoir executive vp and global creative director Donna Caseine. “Having success across multiple genres, her star burns brighter every day, and her writing continues to impress artists, listeners, and industry experts, alike. We are so happy to be supporting her career and helping her leverage opportunities to create more incredible songs.” –Marc Schneider

Reservoir has also acquired the publishing rights to the catalog of multi-Platinum-selling country songwriter, producer, and singer Kerry Kurt Phillips. A longtime collaborator of Tim McGraw, Phillips co-wrote a number of the star’s greatest hits including “Down on the Farm” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” One of the songwriters that defined the sound of country in the 1990s and 2000s, he also wrote with country legends George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Crd, Craig Morgan and more.

Warner Chappell Music and Warner Chappell Music Colombia have extended their publishing deal with Latin producer CASTA, in partnership with Edgar Barrera’s BorderKid Publishing. Last year, the Colombian producer (born Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño) co-produced Becky G and Karol G’s “MAMIII,” as well as Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” — both top five entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

AMR Songs has acquired the songwriting catalog of Fitz and the Tantrums keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna, which includes his rights to the band’s biggest hits like “Hand Clap” “Out Of My League” and “The Walker.” His catalog of hits also includes a piece of Macy Gray’s timeless song “I Try.”

Kobalt has signed Jake Torrey to a worldwide publishing administration deal, including global synch and creative services. Recently, Torrey co-wrote Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Desire,” YUNGBLUD’s “Hated” and “Low Life,” and Lauren Spencer Smith’s “That Part.” In addition, he is a longtime collaborator to Charlie Puth (“Light Switch,” “I Don’t Think That I Like Her,” and more) and Justin Bieber (“Off My Face” and “Lifetime”).

Pulse Music Group has joined forces with Wide Eyed Entertainment to extend its global publishing deal with Sarah “Solly” Solovay. The hitmaker is best known for tracks like “Heart Wants What It Wants” by Bebe Rexha, “Summer Of Love” by Shawn Mendes, and “Take You Dancing” by Jason Derulo.

UMP Germany and Electric Feel Europe have joined together to sign Berlin-based producer and songwriter SUENA to a global publishing deal. Best known for co-producing “Roller” — which received Diamond status in Germany — and remains one of the biggest local songs of the decade so far.

Warner Chappell has signed Cole Miracle to a global publishing deal. With credits on songs by Wyatt Flores, LECADE, Shaylen, Graham Barham, Eddie And The Getaway, David J, and Evan Honer, Miracle’s writing spans country, pop and rock.

Reel Muzik Werks — an independent publishing and rights management company — signed a global administration deal with independent production music company Level 77 Music.