This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Labels & Publishers
Simon Cowell launches Syco Publishing with Universal
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 10 August 2023
Simon Cowell and his Syco Entertainment company have announced a new partnership with Universal Music Publishing around the launch of a new Syco publishing company, which will be – and I quote – “a boutique publisher dedicated to supporting and developing global songwriting talent”.
Under the alliance, Syco will sign and develop songwriters and song catalogues, while Universal will handle all the tedious admin. At launch, the new publishing firm has Lucy Spraggan and John Samuel Gerhart on its roster, plus a catalogue of rights in songs released by the likes of Fifth Harmony, James Arthur, Grace VanderWaal and Camila Cabello.
Says the MD of Universal Music Publishing UK, Mike McCormack: “Simon has been a good friend for decades and I’m THRILLED he has finally decided to launch a publishing business with UMPG”.
“His track record is incredible”, he goes on, “he’s always had great instincts and passion for outstanding songs, and brings incredible value to every songwriter, producer and catalogue he works with. The UMPG team looks forward to working closely with Simon on Syco Publishing and providing the best global support to develop tomorrow’s stars”.
Cowell himself adds: “There is nothing more important than a great song. I started my career in music publishing. Mike and Universal have given me the chance to build a music publishing company. They are a brilliant company and share my wish to work with amazing songwriters”.
Cowell, of course, had a long term business partnership with Sony Music, having joined the major via its merger with the original BMG. However, in 2020, that alliance came to an end when Cowell bought Sony out of the Syco TV business, while the major retained the Syco label and music catalogue.
He then partnered with Universal Music last year on a TikTok-based project called StemDrop.
