European Commission Contributed to Planning for the Arts-Focused European Year
Warner Chappell Music (WCM), a globally renowned music publishing company, plays a significant role in the French music industry. As one of the three major publishers in the country, alongside Sony and Universal, WCM manages a vast catalog of more than one million copyrights, spanning various genres and styles[1].
The primary function of WCM is to champion songwriters and producers, managing the rights to their compositions, and ensuring they receive royalties whenever their works are used commercially[2]. The company also actively shapes the culture of songwriting by signing new talents and maintaining strong relationships with the creative community in the music industry[2].
Warner Chappell generates over 500 million euros annually through various means, including licensing and royalty collection, catalog ownership and administration, strategic deals and partnerships, and creative support and business services[4]. These operations make WCM an essential intermediary between songwriters and the commercial use of their music, maintaining a significant share of the global music publishing market.
In France, the music publishing industry, with its roots dating back to the sale of sheet music, is made up of approximately 7,000 publishers, with a majority being small structures[3]. However, Warner Chappell Music France stands out as one of the largest music publishing companies in the country. Matthieu Tessier, who joined Warner Chappell in 2007 after a background in management, became the president of Warner Chappell Music France in January 2021[5].
An interesting anecdote from the industry involves an intern at Universal Music Publishing who once misunderstood the term 'editions' as books[6]. This incident highlights the unique nature of the music publishing industry, where terminology can sometimes be confusing even to those new to the field.
In conclusion, Warner Chappell Music continues to thrive as a major player in the French music publishing industry, providing essential services to songwriters, producers, and the music industry as a whole. Its success is a testament to the company's commitment to championing creators, shaping the culture of songwriting, and maximizing the potential earnings from music rights.
[1] Warner Chappell Music. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.warnerchappell.com/about-us [2] Warner Chappell Music. (n.d.). Our Mission. Retrieved from https://www.warnerchappell.com/our-mission [3] Deschamps, T. (2020, October 13). La Musique Française face à la Pandémie. Le Monde. Retrieved from https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2020/10/13/la-musique-francaise-face-a-la-pandemie_6051552_3234.html [4] Warner Chappell Music. (n.d.). Revenue Streams. Retrieved from https://www.warnerchappell.com/revenue-streams [5] Warner Chappell Music. (2021, January 1). Warner Chappell Music Appoints Matthieu Tessier as President of Warner Chappell Music France. Retrieved from https://www.warnerchappell.com/news/warner-chappell-music-appoints-matthieu-tessier-as-president-of-warner-chappell-music-france [6] Universal Music Publishing. (n.d.). FAQs. Retrieved from https://www.umusicpublishing.com/faqs/
Warner Chappell Music, as a leading music publishing company, not only manages the rights to multiple compositions but also actively encourages new talents and maintains strong relationships within the creative community, contributing to the entertainment industry through music. Matthieu Tessier, the president of Warner Chappell Music France, oversees these efforts, ensuring the company remains a prominent figure in the French music publishing sector.
