Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s UK division has promoted Sarah Pickering, aka Pixie, to Vice President, Creative and Chris Jones to Vice President, Licensing and named them Co-Heads of its sync team.
They will report directly to Sony/ATV UK Co-Managing Directors David Ventura and Tim Major.
As Vice President, Creative, Pickering will be responsible for implementing creative strategies for Sony/ATV UK’s sync division across all media.
Additionally, she will maintain and develop relationships with clients and songwriters, and work with them to create new sync opportunities.
In his new role as Vice President, Licensing, Jones will lead Sony/ATV UK’s licensing strategy and set the agenda for pricing and negotiation for its synch business.
The two executives will be supported by Nick Oakes, who will be taking on the newly created role of Director, UK Synch.
“With Pixie and Chris at the helm, we are even more confident that Sony/ATV can offer the most innovative, creative and competitive opportunities for our songwriters and clients.”
David Ventura and Tim Major, Sony/ATV
Pickering launched her music business career at ITV Yorkshire in 2004, and she later became a music consultant at EMI Production Music in 2009.
When Sony/ATV merged with EMI in 2012, she moved to London to manage Sony/ATV’s production music sales team.
In her most recent position as Head of Creative Supervision and Catalogue Synch, Pickering was responsible for liaising with television, advertising, brand and film companies across the UK and forming relationships with clients and songwriters.
Jones began his music industry career in 2004 when he joined EMI Music Publishing as a Synch & Licensing Assistant.
He was later promoted to Senior Licensing Manager in 2011 and transferred to Sony/ATV when it merged with EMI in 2012.
In 2013, Jones was promoted to Head of Synch & Licensing at Sony/ATV, where he co-led the UK’s newly combined synch team, developed new licensing processes, and advised on sync deals across media forms.
Sony/ATV UK Co-Managing Directors David Ventura and Tim Major, said: “It’s important that we remain close to our songwriters in every area of business and that we establish and protect value in their art.
“With Pixie and Chris at the helm, we are even more confident that Sony/ATV can offer the most innovative, creative and competitive opportunities for our songwriters and clients, and that we are fully equipped to continue our great success in this ever-changing marketplace.
“We are delighted for them both, and can’t wait to see what they, and the incredibly talented synch team they now lead, can achieve together.”
“Their combined experience and successful track records in creative and licensing are unparalleled.”
Brian Monaco, Sony/ATV
Sony/ATV President, Global Chief Marketing Officer Brian Monaco added: “I have had the privilege of working with Pixie since 2012 and Chris since 2007 – their combined experience and successful track records in creative and licensing are unparalleled.
“As synch continues to be an extremely important and flourishing aspect of Sony/ATV’s business, I couldn’t be happier to have Pixie and Chris leading the charge in the UK.”
“We want to ensure that the Sony/ATV catalogue flourishes, and I look forward to working with our brilliant songwriters to create exciting, innovative synch opportunities.”
Sarah Pickering
Pickering said: “It is an absolute honour to co-head such a talented and dynamic UK synch team with Chris, and I can’t wait to build upon the success that they have already achieved.
“We want to ensure that the Sony/ATV catalogue flourishes, and I look forward to working with our brilliant songwriters to create exciting, innovative synch opportunities.”
“Together, with our exceptional team, we will work to create new opportunities and deliver the best service for our songwriters.”
Chris Jones
Jones added: “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to co-head the UK synch team alongside Pixie, and I’m proud to lead the UK’s licensing strategy for the incredible Sony/ATV catalogue.
“Together, with our exceptional team, we will work to create new opportunities and deliver the best service for our songwriters.”
Music Business Worldwide
