Sarah Mitchell has been hired by BMG lead its UK-based neighbouring rights business.
Mitchell joins BMG from the UK-based neighbouring rights society PPL, where she was Director of Membership & Communications.
At BMG, Mitchell will report to President Repertoire and Marketing UK Alistair Norbury, and will concentrate on a “boutique roster of high-value clients”, says BMG.
Sarah Mitchell joined PPL in 2014 as Head of Public Performance Operations, becoming Head of Member Services in 2017 and Director of Member Services in 2018.
Current BMG neighbouring rights clients include The Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey, Jonas Blue and Mick Fleetwood.
Recent deals for BMG include John Legend, Tina Turner, ZZ Top and a 50% stake in the song interests of Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes and the late Robert Young of Scottish rock band Primal Scream, together with their neighbouring rights.
News of Mitchell’s hiring comes shortly after BMGunveiled that it had turned over more than three quarters of a billion dollars in 2021.
According to financial figures published in March by BMG parent Bertelsmann, the music company generated €663m (approx. $784m) in annual revenues last year.
That was up 10.1% on BMG’s equivalent figure from 2020.
“We see a unique opportunity to super-serve a select list of clients in neighbouring rights.”
Alistair Norbury
Alistair Norbury, said: “We see a unique opportunity to super-serve a select list of clients in neighbouring rights.
“For us, this is not a volume business. Sarah’s unique experience and high-level understanding of neighbouring rights make her the ideal choice for this exciting and growing area.”
“I see this as the perfect opportunity to employ my industry knowledge and relationships to develop a premium neighbouring rights service.”
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell, added: “BMG’s distinctive culture and client-centred approach has really set the agenda for what it means to be a music company in the streaming age.
“I see this as the perfect opportunity to employ my industry knowledge and relationships to develop a premium neighbouring rights service.”Music Business Worldwide
