MILAN, FEBRUARY 19 2026 – Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announced a strategic evolution of its Italian creative leadership team in Milan. WCM Italy’s Lodovico Pagani has been promoted to Head of A&R, Rossella Lorello transitions to the Sync & Licensing team, Giacomo Domenichelli joins as A&R Manager, and Francesca Rossi is upped to Head of Legal.

In his new role, Pagani will lead WCM Italy’s A&R strategy, reporting to Santiago Menéndez-Pidal, President, Southern Europe.  He will oversee the creative development of the publisher’s acclaimed roster, including the likes of Annalisa, Carl Brave, Federico Nardelli, Frah Quintale, Ghali, Gianna Nannini, Joan Thiele, Laura Pausini, Mace, Michele Canova, Raige, Sadturs & Kiid, and Sick Luke.

These leadership changes follow a streak of chart-topping success for WCM Italy, including the recent signing of Geolier, whose January album Tutto è possibile dominated the Italian charts, securing No. 1 spots across the Physical, Digital, and Spotify charts. To help support Pagani, Giacomo Domenichelli joins the team from management company Intera Music. He will focus on scouting and creative development within WCM Italy’s A&R team.

Santiago Menéndez-Pidal, President, Southern Europe, Warner Chappell Music, says: “Lodovico possesses an intuitive understanding of Italy’s creative heartbeat.  By elevating him to lead A&R, hiring Giacomo and Francesca, and moving Rossella’s deep creative knowledge into our Sync division, we’re creating a more integrated and creative ecosystem for our songwriters.  We’re evolving WCM Italy to meet a market where domestic talent is more prominent – and more globally exportable – than ever before.”

Lodovico Pagani, Head of A&R, WCM Italy, adds: “I am honored to lead our A&R efforts at such a pivotal moment for Italian music.  Having worked closely with our roster for years, I know the incredible potential we have to redefine the Italian songbook.  My focus is to provide a bespoke, creative-first environment where our songwriters can push boundaries and reach new audiences.”

Furthering the company’s creative-sync synergy, Rossella Lorello moves into the Sync & Licensing team, reporting to Leonardo Germinario, WCM Italy’s VP of Sync & Licensing. Lorello will act as a bridge between A&R and licensing, focusing on placing WCM Italy’s catalog across global film, television, advertising, and gaming sectors, with sync continuing to be a growth engine for the company.

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The singer-songwriter, who also has a record deal with Warner Music Portugal, exploded onto the scene in 2021 with his debut single “Pode Tentar,” which quickly achieved 4x Platinum status and became one of the year’s biggest hits. 

Across his catalogue he has already achieved 7x Platinum and 2x Gold certifications in just four years as a solo artist, cementing his position as one of the country’s brightest stars. While as a songwriter, he has worked alongside major artists including Bárbara Bandeira, D.A.M.A, Héber Marques, and Mariza.

The signing is part of Warner Chappell Music’s strategic move to sign more Portuguese artists with international appeal and to capitalize on the significant growth and increasing prominence of Portuguese music within the broader Latin-speaking music scene. Santiago Menéndez-Pidal, WCM’s President of Southern Europe and Carmen Picado, A&R Manager, WCM Spain are actively looking at the growing market and working with colleagues in both Spain and Portugal to create exciting opportunities for both new writers and the current WCM roster.

The Warner Chappell Music team is also working closely with Warner Music Portugal and using the facilities at the Warner Music Portugal Creative Hub – a state-of-the-art studio and work space in Lisbon – strengthening the ties of WMG’s publishing and recorded music businesses in the region.

Maninho said: “I am very happy to be signing with Warner Chappell Music Portugal and deepening my relationship with Warner Music Group. I’ve enjoyed an incredible start to my career and hope to take it even further with this deal. I want my music to connect with fans globally and the teams here are going to help me do that!”

Santiago Menéndez-Pidal said: “We’re delighted to officially enter the Portuguese market – and to launch with a signing as prominent as Maninho is a real statement of intent for us in the territory. Maninho is an incredible songwriter and guitarist, and someone we can see working with our biggest artists and writers around the world. A special thanks to Paulo Miranda (MD, Warner Music Portugal) for his help in getting the deal over the line. I’m looking forward to our teams in Southern Europe collaborating closely as we continue to sign and develop amazing talent.” 

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Paris, October 21st 2025 – Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has today announced the signing of Victor Le Masne to a global administration deal. The agreement covers all works produced through Le Masne’s Multiman Records and will be administered by WCM’s teams in France and the US. 

Widely known as the Composer and Music Director for the Ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Victor Le Masne created the original music for the ceremonies, the Games’ anthem “Parade”, and worked alongside stars like Lady Gaga, Gojira, Aya Nakamura, and Jean-Michel Jarre. Since 2022, Victor has also been the Musical Director of the acclaimed, multi-award winning musical “Starmania”. 

A highly renowned producer, arranger, composer, multi-instrumentalist and music director, Victor has been a prominent figure within the French music scene for more than two decades. He first came to public prominence as one half of the electro-pop duet Housse de Racket, who released three critically acclaimed albums and toured worldwide in the late 2000s. As a solo artist, Victor has collaborated with artists such as Kavinsky, Juliette Armanet, Gaspard Augé (Justice) and more. 

Over the past couple of years, Victor has also received external recognition for his work, including a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, and a Victoire de la Musique for Best Concert, received for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Speaking about the deal, Victor Le Masne said,“After the incredible challenge of serving as composer and musical director for the last Olympics, I’m truly proud to take this next step by signing with the amazing teams at Warner Chappell. This transatlantic collaboration between the U.S. and France feels both unique and exciting, and I’m honored to join such a legendary music house. Huge thanks to Guy, Carianne, Matthieu, Rachel, Rich, Alex, and the entire team — I’m really looking forward to working with you all.” 

Matthieu Tessier, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music France, added,“Victor is an incredibly talented composer, a gifted musician, and a remarkable arranger. It’s a true honor for the teams at Warner Chappell Music France and for me personally to begin this collaboration with him — to share his works with the world, and to support him in building artistic connections and creating new music together. I’m truly grateful for his trust.” 

Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Chappell Music, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO, Warner Chappell Music, continued: “Victor is an exceptional visionary and holds the rare ability to blend classical styles with innovation. His work on the Paris 2024 Olympic ceremonies showcased his incredible skills to the world stage. We’re delighted to welcome him to Warner Chappell and look forward to working with the Multiman Records team.”

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Warner Chappell Music is proud to announce the signing of a global publishing deal with one of Australia’s most acclaimed songwriters, Sam Hales. The agreement will encompass Sam’s entire catalogue and future works.  

Dan Rosen, President of Warner Music Australasia says, “I am thrilled to welcome Sam Hales to our international roster of songwriters and producers at Warner Chappell. Sam is an exceptional talent with a global vision. His songwriting has not only shaped the Australian music landscape but continues to make an impact on a global scale. At Warner Chappell Music, we’re excited to support the next chapter of Sam’s creative journey.” 

John Halstead, Senior A&R Manager at Warner Chappell Music Australia, “Sam is a phenomenal songwriter. His ability to craft songs that feel both deeply personal and universally anthemic is rare. We’re proud to welcome him to Warner Chappell and excited to help take his music to even greater global heights.” 

On signing with Warner Chappell Music, Sam shares, “I am very excited to join the Warner Chappell family, after years of writing albums with The Jungle Giants and Confidence Man the timing couldn’t be better to delve into more global co-writing. This has been a dream of mine for years, and the team couldn’t be more perfect.” 

Stu McCullough, Manager, Amplifire Music continues, “Dan, John and the global publishing creative team blew us away with their commitment and desire to work with Sam.” 

Sam has produced and written songs for seven successful albums across The Jungle Giants and Confidence Man discography. As frontman of The Jungle Giants, the band has pocketed nearly a billion streams worldwide, achieved a #1 ARIA-charting album, multiple platinum and gold singles and albums, and toured to a legion of global fans. Sam’s co-writing credits include tracks with Hermitude and Mexican breakout star RENEE, remix collaborations with the who’s who of the electronic world including Odd Mob, Joe Goddard from Hot Chip, Chromeo and Tom Trago. Sam recently produced the lead single for Love Fame Tragedy, Murph from The Wombats solo project. 

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Paris, France – September 24th 2025: Warner Chappell Music France (WCM France) today announced an exclusive global administration deal with MC Solaar and his company, Sentinel Sud. The agreement encompasses MC Solaar’s entire catalog of more than 35 years.

Solaar is a true legend of French rap, celebrating more than three decades since the release of his first single. With over five million sales across eight albums, he is widely regarded as one of the genre’s most influential and important artists in France.

The catalog, now administered by WCM France, includes a remarkable collection of hits that have defined a generation, such as “Nouveau Western”, “Solaar Pleure”, and “Hasta la vista”. The deal also covers his notable international collaborations, including the track “All N My Grill” with Missy Elliott, and work with acclaimed artists such as Guru and Urban Species.

MC Solaar’s enduring influence is highlighted by the recent inclusion of his classic “Nouveau Western” in a new international campaign for Adidas. The TV spot features global stars Doechii, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennie, and his long-time collaborator, Missy Elliott.

MC Solaar says: “I once famously said that to move forward, you need to take a step back. Partnering with the talented Warner Chappell team will enable me to take a step back so that I can create new momentum and dive into a set of exciting creative opportunities with them!”

Matthieu Tessier, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music France, adds: “We are incredibly proud to welcome a visionary legend like MC Solaar to Warner Chappell Music. His lyrical genius and poetic storytelling have not only shaped French hip-hop, but have left an indelible mark on music all over the world. We are honored to partner with him and the Sentinel Sud team and will continue to build on his extraordinary legacy.”

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cktrl, which stands for “Can’t Keep To Reality”, was chosen by Bradley Miller as his stage name when he began releasing music back in 2015.  He grew up in Lewisham, South East London, where he learned instruments including the clarinet, piano and saxophone through free schemes funded by the local council.  He went on to teach himself about production while working as a DJ and in a record store.   

His breakthrough came with his EP Robyn, released in 2020, which portrayed the breakup of a relationship in a saxophone and clarinet-led collection of songs that reflected modern jazz and contemporary classical sounds.  His work caught the eye of Beyoncé and he featured in the film of her visual album Black Is King.  

Follow-up EPs Zero and Yield received widespread critical acclaim and cktrl was even invited to perform at a show put on by Dior and Denim Tears in the shadow of the pyramids in Cairo. 

cktrl says: “I’m pleased to be working with Shani, Amber and the team at Warner Chappell.  I value my independence and they understand my creative vision and plans for the next chapter of my career.  It’s going to be an exciting year ahead.”

Amber Davis, SVP and Head of A&R, Warner Chappell Music UK, adds: “Bradley’s work as cktrl truly rewrites the rulebook when it comes to fusing genres and telling stories through the power of sound alone.  Seeing him playing the saxophone and clarinet was simply stunning and his classically trained experience will be a unique asset in any room. He’s a hugely in-demand talent and we’re excited to work with him on a range of projects he’s got in the pipeline.” 

Shani Gonzales, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK and Head of International A&R, Warner Chappell Music, concludes: “cktrl’s music is immersive and captivating.  He’s wowed audiences in the UK and around the world and has a clear and strong vision about what he wants to do next.  We’re proud to be supporting him as he takes his music to the next level.” 

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MOLIY first found success in 2020 when her debut EP Wondergirl received airplay in her home country of Ghana, as well as in Kenya and Nigeria. With hits like “Loud Ft Kkeda”. The following year she featured on Amarae’s The Angel You Don’t Know with two songs “Sad Girlz Luv Money” and “Feel A Way”. Later that year, “Sad Girlz Luv Money remix (ft. Kali Uchis)”, broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Top 40. 

After returning to Ghana, MOLIY continued to work with a number of artists such as Shekinah from South Africa, Libianca, Boj and more. In 2024 she enjoyed further success after releasing her single “Shake It To The Max (Fly)”, with producer Silent Addy, which gained traction on TikTok and went to Number One on the US and UK Afrobeats Singles Charts, and Number 12 on the UK Official Singles Chart.

The song has shaken up the summer with a number of high profile remixes with artists like Skillibeng, Shenseea, Major Lazer, and Sean Paul, with pending releases set to be remixed with Lady Lava, Stefflon Don and Vybz Kartel. The track also received a nomination for Best Afrobeats at MTV’s VMA Awards, the first of many nominations expected for this rising global superstar.

MOLIY made history this year when she became the first Ghanaian artist to perform at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, underscoring the country’s emergence onto the global music scene. She is currently working on a number of singles as part of a new project, while touring the Caribbean, Europe and the US. 

MOLIY says: “I’m grateful and excited to be working with Shani, Amber, Anthony and the team at Warner Chappell. They have been champions of my music for years and understand how I want to build my career as an artist and a songwriter. This is the perfect time to have them on my team. We’ve got some very exciting new projects to showcase in the next few months.”

Therese Jones, MOLIY’s manager, adds: “This was a fiercely competitive deal as people are lining round the block to work with MOLIY. She’s an artist who is having a real impact internationally, and other artists and writers can’t wait to collaborate with her. We know the team at Warner Chappell are well positioned to help us as MOLIY’s career continues to grow.” 

Anthony Iban, Senior Manager, A&R and Partnerships, Warner Chappell Music, adds: “Amber Davis [SVP and Head of A&R, Warner Chappell Music UK] and I were blown away by MOLIY’s talent. Her fresh sound connects with audiences everywhere and she’s already taken the charts by storm. We’re super excited about some of the new music she’s got coming up and can’t wait to get her in the studio with some of our other talented songwriters.” 

Shani Gonzales, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK and Head of International A&R, Warner Chappell Music, concludes: “MOLIY is an amazing songwriter and artist who has been thinking globally about her career from day one. We’re super excited to be supporting her as she continues to evolve her sound and embrace new opportunities. It’s all eyes on MOLIY and we’re excited for her future.”

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