Apple Music has created a new music publishing department, according to a report in Music Business Worldwide. The publishing team will work in a few subdivisions, including Operations, Commercial, Publisher Relations, and A&R, which will assist with the development of songwriters.
Elena Segal, the former director of iTunes International, became Apple Music’s global director of music publishing this month. The new department is one of the first new directives from Oliver Schusser, who was recently named the head of Apple Music Worldwide and was previously the VP of iTunes International.
“Oliver is well aware that much of the most important artist discovery happening in the music industry today comes from the publishing side of the business,” a source told Music Business Worldwide. “He is also aware that record labels and artists are well served by industry relations teams at streaming platforms—they are in and out of those offices every day—but that publishing hasn’t yet enjoyed that kind of direct relationship."
Schusser, the source says, is looking to show how much songwriters and publishing mean to Apple, saying, "That’s what this move is all about.”
Related Stories
XXXTentacion's Music Will Reportedly Return to Spotify's Playlists
However, sources say the streaming service has "no plans to begin promoting R. Kelly again."
Apple Music Reportedly Stopped Promoting R. Kelly on Playlists Before Spotify
Apple Music is no longer placing R. Kelly's music on their featured playlists.