Elyse McKenna has been named Director, Strategic Partnerships at THIEL Audio Products LLC. The audio and entertainment solutions provider known for its American-made speakers, high-performance multi-room wireless systems, and the AURORA Nashville Studio, is expanding its Nashville presence with the appointment of McKenna.

A music business start-up specialist, McKenna comes to THIEL with a 14-year background as a business development catalyst at Crowdsurge, Songkick and Applauze. In her new role, she will expand corporate partnership opportunities for THIEL’s product offerings in addition to AURORA Nashville’s live weekly series and production services. McKenna joins the 14-person office headquartered in Music City, working with the team to expand the company’s legacy brand.

“As the company prepares for explosive growth and we are ready to expand the reach of our brand,” said THIEL CEO, Tom Malatesta,“I cannot think of a better person to lead the evangelization of our THIEL Audio and Aurora Nashville brands than Elyse.”

“I’m honored to lead strategic partnerships for a company with a foundation and legacy as extensive as THIEL,” said McKenna. “It will be exciting to create innovative and forward-thinking partnerships that are mutually beneficial for the brand while serving the needs and goals of the industry and our partners as well.”

McKenna can be reached at emckenna@thielaudio.com and 615-507-8100.

Max Lousada

Max Lousada has been named CEO, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG), effective October 1. Lousada is currently Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK), home to a host of British superstars including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Muse, Gorillaz, Rita Ora, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush and more.

With the promotion, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global recorded music operations, including Atlantic, Warner Bros., Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Global Catalog/Rhino and Warner Classics, as well as WMG’s international recorded music affiliates and WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions, WEA and ADA. Reporting to WMG CEO Steve Cooper, Lousada will divide his time between London and New York and will continue to lead Warner Music UK alongside his new worldwide responsibilities.

Lousada began his career by founding his own distribution company, In A Silent Way. In 2000, he became the European Managing Director for New York-based hip-hop label Rawkus Records, where he worked with artists such as Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. In 2002, he joined Mushroom Records as Head of A&R, signing dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases from acts such as Muse, Ash, Garbage and DJ Paul Oakenfold. Following Warner Music UK’s acquisition of Mushroom Records in 2003, Lousada became Head of A&R at Atlantic UK, rising to President then Chairman in 2009. During his decade at Atlantic, he built a roster of artists including Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rudimental, Plan B, Marina and the Diamonds, Lykke Li, Damien Rice and Birdy.

Since 2013, Lousada has expanded Warner Music UK’s repertoire to serve a broader range of artists, playing an instrumental role in the integration of Parlophone into WMUK, as well as reviving the East West Records imprint and launching dance music imprints within each of the UK’s front line labels. In addition, he has strengthened the company’s creative capabilities with the launch of The Firepit, a video content division, innovation lab and state-of-the-art recording studio.

“With WMG breaking more superstars and leading the industry’s transition to streaming, this is the perfect time to appoint a proven leader to turbocharge the success of our Recorded Music division,” said Cooper. “Max’s wide-ranging achievements make him the natural choice. Since taking over the helm of Warner Music UK, he has continued to build his reputation for identifying and developing world-class artistic and executive talent. At the same time, he’s transformed our UK operation, with an inspired vision of a truly progressive music company in the 21st century. He’s the consummate music man, always exploring what we can do differently to benefit our artists, their fans, our people and our partners. I’m looking forward to working with Max as he leads our outstanding Recorded Music management team.”

“I came to Warner because it’s always been such a fantastic melting pot of independent spirits uniting to champion artists that change culture and make music that matters,” said Lousada. “Fourteen years later, that ethos is as strong as ever, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on those foundations with my extremely gifted partners around the world. Together, we’ll continue to create an environment where talent has the support and the freedom to flourish, where we empower our artists and our people to be true pioneers, and where we inspire audiences to be as excited about music as we are. I would like to thank Len and Steve for their tremendous support.”

ASCAP is celebrating a record-breaking year in revenues for 2016, taking in $1.059 billion for the year and distributing more than $918 million of that to its songwriter, composer, and publisher members. That number is up 5.6 percent over 2015, and revenues from the publishing rights organization’s licensing efforts in the U.S. alone increased nearly six percent in 2016 to $759 million, fueled primarily by a 41 percent increase in revenues from streaming along with higher revenues from satellite radio and general licensees like bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels.

The company’s foreign revenues of $300 million were up as well, and domestic distributions of $631 million from ASCAP-licensed and administered performances in the U.S. grew nearly ten percent, up $55.5 million over 2015.

The rights organization operates as a non-profit and delivers about 88 cents of every dollar collected back to members for performances of their music. ASCAP’s strategic investments to grow general licensing revenues has yielded a 7.2 percent annual growth rate over the past four years. ASCAP licensed over 18,000 new businesses in 2016 and also instituted a number of innovations in licensing, such as greater automation in reporting to create efficiencies that reduced the cost of new license acquisitions over the last three years by 50 percent.

“ASCAP’s record high revenues and distributions in 2016 are a testament to the amazing repertory of music we are privileged to represent, and to our investment in innovations that enable us to continue to grow revenues, leverage our scale and increase efficiencies in our operations,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “ASCAP is committed to transforming and innovating to secure a healthy future for music creators and publishers. In 2016 alone, we processed over one trillion performances, welcomed 40,000 new members, and secured a steady stream of future royalties for our members by closing multi-year deals across all major platforms, including satellite and terrestrial radio.”

“ASCAP’s strong financial results matter for each and every songwriter, composer and music publisher who makes a living from our creative work, from those just starting out to those whose music is beloved around the world,” added ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. I am also incredibly proud that ASCAP continues to lead the fight for much-needed changes to U.S. music licensing regulations that are grossly unfair to songwriters and copyright owners.” 

ASCAP songwriters wrote or co-wrote nine of the top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, and wrote 14 of Billboard’s year-end chart-topping songs. Among those artists renewing their agreements with ASCAP this year were Kelly Clarkson, Max Martin, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Skrillex, Timbaland, Hans Zimmer, the estate of Johnny Marks, (writer of Christmas classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”), Beach Boy Mike Love, Latin superstars Carlos Vives and Fonseca, Adnan “Menace” Khan (producer/co-writer of Desiigner’s #1 song “Panda”), Nashville star Clare Bowen, and Karey Kirkpatrick (co-creator of the Broadway smash Something Rotten!).

This year’s ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO, slated for April 13-15 at Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, has added several Nashville songwriters to its lineup.

Opening day’s “We Create Music Panel” will bring together industry members including Ashley Gorley, film/TV composer Jeff Cardoni (Silicon Valley/CSI: Miami), Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), Sam Hollander (Fitz and the Tantrums “HandClap”), and James Fauntleroy (Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars).

On April 14 an EXPO Writers Jam will boast stories behind the songs and acoustic performances from J.T. Harding (Kenny Chesney’s “Bar at the End of the World” and “Somewhere With You”), as well as Dave Bassett (Elle King’s “Ex’s & Oh’s”) and Lindy Robbins (Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me”).

That same day, songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead (Kelsea Ballerini, Brantley Gilbert) will also join as a roundtable session mentor.

As previously announced, on Thursday, April 13 the panel “You Should Be Here: A Peek Into The Country Music Market” will be led by songwriter Ashley Gorley, who recently earned his 30th No. 1 country hit. Also on the panel will be Matt Jenkins (Kenny Chesney/Pink, Old Dominion) and Zach Crowell (Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton). Also announced was Desmond Child, appearing in a feedback session and conversation with R&B star Aloe Blacc.