Mike Smith is departing Downtown after nearly three years as Global President of Downtown Music Services.
Downtown says that Smith, a highly regarded music industry veteran with a career spanning four decades, is leaving the company to pursue several personal projects and to focus on his ongoing charitable work. That work includes board positions with Teenage Cancer Trust, EarthPercent, In Place of War, and The Creative Society.
Since joining the company in 2020, Downtown says that Smith “was instrumental” in steering Downtown’s move away from traditional music publishing models towards a services-based approach.
In April 2021, Concordacquired 145,000 copyrights from New York-headquartered Downtown Music Holdings, in a deal MBW understands cost around $400 million.
After the announcement, Downtown said it would focus exclusively on the music services sector – i.e. being a partner to copyright holders, rather than owning copyrights itself.
Downtown Music Publishing then merged with the artist/label distribution and marketing capabilities of DashGo, and together, the merged companies formed a new division called Downtown Music Services, which has since been led by Smith.
Downtown notes that he was responsible for integrating global digital distribution specialists DashGo into Downtown Music Services and artist signings during his tenure included: Masego, Anohni, Bashy and Magic Sticks alongside C Tangana’s publishing company Yelo.
He also oversaw catalog agreements with many hig- profile artists including French band Air, and instigated the recently announced administration and funding of Alternative Songs, a joint venture between Stellar Songs and Various Artists.
“After nearly 40 years at the coal face of the UK music industry, I have decided to take some time away from the day-to-day business of music to refocus my energies into a number of personal, creative projects and to devote more of my time to the charitable work that is so close to my heart.”
Mike Smith
Said Mike Smith: “It has been my pleasure and privilege to lead Downtown Music Services through a significant period of restructuring and realignment that has seen it become a global leader in artist services.
Added Smith: “I have been very fortunate during my time at the company to work with a team of highly passionate, creative and artist-focused people and with many inspiring artists, labels and music publishers.
Added Smith: “I look back on our many achievements during the last three years with pride. After nearly 40 years at the coal face of the UK music industry, I have decided to take some time away from the day-to-day business of music to refocus my energies into a number of personal, creative projects and to devote more of my time to the charitable work that is so close to my heart. “
Downtown Music also announced today that Emily Stephenson has been promoted to President, Publishing, and in addition, its publishing companies, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust, and Sheer will now, under Stephenson’s leadership, be “aligned” and share “technology and expertise”.
Nashville-based Stephenson, most recently served as the division’s Vice President of Business Operations.
During her 10-year tenure at the company, she has been responsible for all aspects of publishing administration and client services for Downtown’s songwriter and publishing clients, including Ryan Tedder, Big Yellow Dog, and the John Lennon Estate.
In her new role, Stephenson will report to Downtown Music President, Pieter van Rijn and oversee all publishing efforts, including client acquisition and business development, A&R, rights management, and client services for the group’s publishing companies – Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust, and Sheer.
Downtown says its publishing administration services currently have nearly 2 million songwriters and more than 1.5 million copyrights under management.
Downtown notes that Songtrust experienced significant growth over the past five years and in 2022, reached the milestone of having distributed over $100 million in royalties to independent songwriters, producers and creators.
”Thanks to Mike’s fantastic leadership over the past three years, Downtown’s publishing divisions are in a great position to align our efforts and maximize revenue for our clients, whether they use Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust or Sheer.”
Emily Stephenson, Downtown Music Publishing
Said Emily Stephenson, President of Downtown Music Publishing: ”Thanks to Mike’s fantastic leadership over the past three years, Downtown’s publishing divisions are in a great position to align our efforts and maximize revenue for our clients, whether they use Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust or Sheer.
“This unified approach means that Downtown can offer the industry’s leading publishing services both at scale and in-depth, working more closely with our current and future clients at every stage.”
Stephenson will be joined by Jedd Katrancha, who after 16 years at Downtown is promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, Publishing.
New York-based Katrancha joined Downtown Music Publishing in 2007, the first hire to be made by founder, Justin Kalifowitz, and subsequently led the company’s creative services and sync licensing business from its inception.
In his new role, Katrancha will report to Stephenson and oversee Business Development, A&R, and Sync for Downtown’s group of publishing companies.
“Now, with Downtown’s publishing companies aligned, we’ve created a powerful service offering that will maximize client revenue and present new opportunities to Downtown’s client base.”
Pieter van Rijn Downtown Music
Said President of Downtown Music, Pieter van Rijn: “Emily is a proven leader and Downtown Publishing is excellent hands.
“Mike stewarded Downtown Music Services through a period of great change and leaves it as a global leader.
“Now, with Downtown’s publishing companies aligned, we’ve created a powerful service offering that will maximize client revenue and present new opportunities to Downtown’s client base.”
Today’s announcement follows last week’s news that Downtown Music Holdings is making a new round of layoffs.
The layoffs were reported by Billboardon Wednesday (March 22), citing Downtown CEO Andrew Bergman’s email to staff the same day.
The staff memosuggested that Downtown’s downsizing will mostly affect roles within Downtown’s CD Baby, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust and Downtown Music Holdings divisions.
