The new edition of Music Week is out now, and for our cover story we take an in-depth look at Kobalt Music. Its CEO Willard Ahdritz has spent 17 years revolutionising music publishing, and annoying the old school music biz. As the company prepares to take its disruptive brand into new areas, Ahdritz, chief creative officer Sas Metcalfe and Kobalt's key players take us inside its global operations…
In this week’s Big Story, we have big news from the Columbia team – find out who Ferdy Unger-Hamilton has brought into the fold to shake things up. Also in news, Annie Mac reveals to Music Week why Virgin EMI is launching her compilation series on streaming platforms for the first time, plus we find out about American subscription service Vinyl Me, Please’s plans to take on the UK market.
Elsewhere in the features section, we explore the growing importance of TV soundtracks to the biz thanks to shows such as Stranger Things, Nashville, Twin Peaks and more – including interviews with the teams behind the soundtracks.
As well as all that, Music Week speaks to some of the UK’s top music law firms to find out how their role is changing and how they can help artists and businesses get ahead for our special legal report. Plus, Blondie’s creative director Rob Roth, who has collaborated with the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga, reveals how the legendary band still constantly keep him on his toes…
In this week’s Hitmakers, Martin “Youth” Glover recalls producing The Verve’s 1997 string-laden epic Bitter Sweet Symphony, while MSG’s executive chariman Jim Dolan tells us what he’s learned from his time in the biz in The Aftershow.
On The Radar is Insecure Men, meanwhile, in the Making Waves slot is rising Midlands rapper Mist.
Plus, there’s all the very latest news, charts, analysis and Music Week’s market shares.
To subscribe, and never miss a big music biz story, click here.
FOLLOW 
