Pictured (L-R, back row): Alex McGinnis (Project Manager, ONErpm Nashville), Jeff Tobias (Head of Country Music ONERPM); (L-R, front row): Tre Rener (Champagne’s Manager), Justin Champagne, Marcus Allen (Champagne’s Attorney)

Multi-genre artist Justin Champagne has signed a three-album deal with ONErpm Nashville. Champagne, a TikTok breakout artist who fuses elements of country, rap, hip-hop, pop and rock, is releasing his self-penned, debut single “I’m the One” on Feb. 4.

A Louisiana native, Champagne was recently named Country Rap Insiders’ 2021 Emerging Artist of the Year, and has primarily built his following through social media. “When I Pull Up,” his most popular song, has already racked up 50 million streams. Over the last year, Champagne has been adding to his fan base by touring across the south.

ONErpm head of Country Music Jeff Tobias says: “Our team is thrilled to be working with Justin. He’s such a creative force and has a powerful vision for his artistic direction.”

“As an artist from a small town in Louisiana, I’ve been underestimated my whole life,” Champagne adds. “But I’m here to change all that. I’ve always believed and had faith. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with ONErpm and I’m excited for what we’ll do as a team. I’m ready to win!”

Warner Music Group (WMG) has released its inaugural Environment Social Governance (ESG) report. A first-of-its-kind standalone report by a major music company, the document helps communicate to key stakeholders and acts as a baseline for WMG to measure its ESG progress in areas such as employee wellbeing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; social impact; and climate change.

Spearheaded by Vice President of ESG, Samantha Sims, and WMG’s ESG Executive Oversight Committee, the report includes input from more than 70 employees.

Steve Cooper, CEO of WMG, comments: “Becoming a more equitable and sustainable company is a moral, commercial, and creative imperative. WMG operates in more than 70 countries around the world, each with distinct customs, cultures, needs, and regulations. So, our sustained, global approach to ESG requires us to have a sophisticated local, individualized line of action. We’re exploring what creating positive change should look like for our company, our artists and songwriters, and the broader community. We’ve made some great strides so far, but this report isn’t just a snapshot of what we’ve done to date–it’s a long-term commitment to action and accountability.”

Sims adds: “The increased focus on global social and environmental challenges has prompted all stakeholders–from our people to investors–to expect businesses to more proactively address ESG risks and opportunities. I’m incredibly proud to have worked with teams across our global footprint to produce WMG’s first annual ESG report. This report signifies our dedication to creating an ESG platform with measurable targets to catalyze positive societal change and engage more of our stakeholders along the way.”

“The past two years particularly have highlighted the global fights for social justice, anti-racism, and equitable healthcare, and the needs for ethical workplaces and creative solutions, says Dr. Maurice A. Stinnett, WMG’s Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We’ve set out in the report our company-wide DEI commitments to help create a cultural shift, and we’re excited to translate these commitments to the needs of our teams in all our locations. Reflecting on where we come from and what we’ve done will enable us to move forward, together, in the most informed and effective way possible.”

Some of the highlights from the ESG report can be found below:

Environment
WMG calculated its first direct greenhouse gas emissions footprint (including emissions from Scopes 1 and 2, as well as employee travel) and will propose a target to the Science-based Targets initiative in 2022.

WMG became a founding signatory of the Music Climate Pact, developed with support from the UN Environment Programme, to collectively tackle the industry’s environmental impacts.

The company avoided using 46 tons of virgin plastic by producing 100% recycled vinyl records for artists like Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Gorillaz, Biffy Clyro, and Foals.

Social
In light of the impacts of the pandemic, WMG enhanced investments in mental health programs, learning and development, and technology to support its people.

In 2021, WMG was certified as a Great Place to Work™ in the U.S. and France, and was included in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the third consecutive year.

WMG established a set of north star DEI commitments, put in place new support for its 45 Employee Resource Group chapters, and developed new recruitment and educational programs to foster more inclusive thinking and behaviors.

The company piloted mental health initiatives for its creative community. It is also launching a legacy unrecouped advances program for eligible artists and songwriters who signed with WMG before 2000 and didn’t receive an advance during or after 2000. The program will also benefit other artist royalty participants such as producers, engineers, mixers, and remixers. It goes into effect for royalty periods starting July 2022.

Throughout the pandemic, WMG contributed to more than 20 non-profits around the world, to aid frontline workers, small business owners, out of work concert/touring staff, and others who need assistance during this difficult time.

Since it was established in 2020, the $100 million Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund has pledged $22.5 million in grant commitments to 24 organizations.

Governance
The company increased the representation of independent directors on its Board committees and the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has assumed oversight of ESG.

Click here to read the report.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Tressie McMillan Cottom, Megan West; (L-R, bottom row): Andrea von Foerster, Gina Miller

Following its first meeting of the year, the Americana Music Association has announced its 2022 Board of Directors.

This year’s newly appointed board members for the Americana Music Association include Tressie McMillan Cottom (Author, MacArthur Genius Grant Award Recipient), Gina Miller (SVP & GM, MNRK Music [formerly eOne Music]), Andrea von Foerster (Music Supervisor, Firestarter Music) and Megan West (Director, Music Label Partnerships for Meta, Inc.).

Attorney John Strohm has been elected by membership to the Board of Directors for a second term.

The Board has also approved its 2022 Executive Committee to include President Courtney Gregg (Carnival Music), Past President Garth Fundis (Producer/Slate Creek Records), President-Elect Bruce Warren (WXPN, Philly/NPR), Treasurer Kurt Vitolo (KV Financial Group) and Secretary Lynne Sheridan (Grammy Museum). The Executive Committee’s new At-Large members are Kim Buie (New West Records), Gail Gellman (Gellman Management), Shannon Sanders (BMI/Producer) and Sally Williams (Live Nation).

“I’m so honored to step into the role of board president for the Americana Music Association,” shares Gregg. “This year’s board represents some of the finest individuals from many facets of our industry; it is an extraordinary group! I know the board, together with Executive Director Jed Hilly and his incredible staff, will work tirelessly to set forth and achieve great things this year!””

Americana Music Association 2022 Board of Directors:
Kim Buie, New West Records
Emily Cohen, Amazon Music
Tressie McMillan Cottom, Author/MacArthur “Genius Grant” Award Recipient
Garth Fundis, Producer/Slate Creek Records
Gail Gellman, Gellman Management
Brian Greenbaum, CAA
Courtney Gregg, Carnival Music
Mike Kopp, Kopp Management/Arts Advocate/Political Consultant
Jackie Marushka, Marushka Media
Gina Miller, MNRK Music (formerly eOne Music)
Mark Moffatt, Producer
Lindsay Reid, Thirty Tigers
Allison Russell, Artist
Shannon Sanders, BMI/Producer
Lynne Sheridan, GRAMMY® Museum
John Strohm, Attorney
Jonathan Taplin, Annenberg Innovation Lab, USC
Kurt Vitolo, KV Financial Group
Andrea von Foerster, Firestarter Music
Bruce Warren, WXPN, Philly/NPR
Megan West, Meta, Inc.
Jody Whelan, Oh Boy Records
Rachel Whitney, Spotify
Sally Williams, Live Nation