Big Deal Music Publishing has made two major new hires: London-based Kate Sweetsur is named Senior Vice President A&R/Creative, while Encino, CA-based Joe Maggini becomes Vice President/Head of Global Synch.
Sweetsur comes to Big Deal from BMG where she was Co-Head of A&R/VP Creative.
At BMG, she signed and worked with writers including Labrinth, Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, Steve Robson, Ed Harcourt and Sam Dixon – and oversaw the signings of Camille Purcell, Biff Stannard, Dave Gibson, Levi Lennox and Lady Leshurr.
Big Deal Music was founded in September 2012 by former Chrysalis Music Publishing colleagues Kenny MacPherson, Jamie Cerreta and Dave Ayers, along with veteran artist manager Michael McDonald.
Sweetsur (pictured left) worked with MacPherson during her nine years at Chrysalis Music Publishing as Creative Manager and Director, signing Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Taio Cruz), Nina Woodward (James Morrison, Leona Lewis, The Wanted), Sam Dixon (Sia, Adele, Paloma Faith, KT Tunstall) and Paddy Byrne, among others.
She started her career at Notting Hill Music in London, then worked at Edel Publishing, where she oversaw the Dizzy Heights and Deston catalogs.
Big Deal Founder/President Kenny MacPherson said, “Kate and Joe are great creative executives, and better yet awesome people, with outstanding integrity, who will only add to the ethos and vibe of Big Deal Music. I am thrilled to be working with them both.”
Said Sweetsur, “I am so happy to be reunited with Kenny and the gang. I spent many happy years working with them all at Chrysalis and I am thrilled to be part of the Big Deal family.
“Kenny and the guys have put together a phenomenal roster and team that is second to none, and I look forward to building on that in the U.K. and Europe. It’s also great to be working with Casey Robison, who I regard as one of the best execs out there.”
“Kate and Joe are great creative executives, and better yet awesome people, with outstanding integrity, who will only add to the ethos and vibe of Big Deal Music. I am thrilled to be working with them both.”
Kenny MacPherson, Big Deal
Joe Maggini was previously head of Format Music Solutions, which encompassed a label, music publishing company, custom music creation business, and orchestral trailer library.
He secured placements in major motion pictures and TV series such as The Lego Batman Movie, Pitch Perfect 2, Trolls, Empire, The Leftovers, Better Call Saul, Girls, and Shameless, as well as various trailers and TV promos.
Before that, he was Director of Creative at Universal Music Publishing, working with a diverse roster of writer/artists like Daniel Lanois, Macy Gray, Youngblood Hawke, andAtticus Ross.
Prior to UMPG, Maggini was Director of Writer-Publisher Relations forBMI, where his affiliated artists included Foster the People’s Mark Foster andAllen Stone. He began his career in BMG Music Publishing’s A&R department.
Added Maggini, “It’s an honor to be joining Big Deal. I’ve known and respected the partners for years, and I’m thrilled to be joining their phenomenal team. I’m looking forward to working with Big Deal’s roster of stellar writers, artists, and producers, who represent some of the best in the business.”
Big Deal Music Publishing celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. It recently launched a digital content division to produce the songwriting podcast, AND THE WRITER IS… with an eye towards developing masters in-house, management and more global outreach.
The firm’s roster includes My Morning Jacket, Ray LaMontagne, St. Vincent, The Afghan Whigs, Dan Wilson, Nick Lowe, Sleater-Kinney, Beach House, Kamasi Washington, Jim James, Sharon Van Etten, the Black Angels, Ethan Johns, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Missy Higgins, FIDLAR, Wye Oak, Sylvan Esso, Birds of Tokyo, Underworld, Charles Bradley and Jonathan Wilson, and songwriters Brett Beavers, Tim James, Brad Tursi, John Ryan, Dave Sitek, Matt Morris, Danny Parker, Joe London and Teddy Geiger.Music Business Worldwide
