Music Industry Moves: Sony Publishing Acquires Big Yellow Dog Music; Big Loud Records Names Stacy Blythe and Jordan Pettit Co-Presidents

Sony Music Publishing Nashville has confirmed its acquisition of the renowned independent publisher Big Yellow Dog Music. The transaction grants Sony immediate ownership and full administrative control of the company's complete song catalog, which includes major hits for artists such as Meghan Trainor and Maren Morris, alongside works by Chris Stapleton, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hozier. Founded in 1998 by partners Kerry O'Neil and Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog has been a fixture of Nashville's creative scene for over two decades. This move is seen by market observers as part of a broader trend of consolidation, where major publishers are actively seeking to absorb successful independent catalogs with strong, diversified royalty streams.

The founders expressed optimism about the transition. Carla Wallace, reflecting on the company's history, called the journey "magical" and a privilege, expressing confidence that the legacy would thrive under Sony's stewardship. Kerry O'Neil thanked Wallace for her leadership and stated the catalog was in "sure hands" with Sony. Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, praised the duo, labeling Big Yellow Dog "a Music Row institution" that set a high standard for independent success. Industry analysts note that such acquisitions allow majors to instantly bolster their portfolios with proven assets, a strategy becoming increasingly common as the value of music copyrights continues to rise.

In other leadership changes, Big Loud Records has elevated Stacy Blythe and brought in Jordan Pettit as its new co-presidents. Blythe, a veteran at the label since 2015, was previously Executive Vice President of Promotion, while Pettit joins from Opry Entertainment Group. Both will report to the label's founding partners. Separately, the global independent digital rights agency Merlin announced a newly elected board with representatives from 12 nations, including Nigeria, Japan, and Germany. This diverse governance structure underscores the significant growth of independent music markets worldwide, a sector now generating well over a billion dollars annually from digital channels alone.

Universal Music Group's Nashville division, Lost Highway Records, has signed singer-songwriter Meels. The label, historically known for its artist-focused approach with acts like Ryan Adams and The Mavericks, will release her new EP, "Across the Raccoon Strait," on January 30. In a parallel executive appointment, HYBE America named Gene Whitney, formerly of Riot Games and Amazon Music, as its new General Counsel to oversee legal strategy across the Americas. HYBE America Chairman-CEO Isaac Lee cited Whitney's expertise in navigating music on new platforms as critical for the company's expansion plans.

Universal Music Group also made a strategic hire, appointing Hannah Poferl as its first-ever Chief Data Officer. Poferl was recruited from The New York Times, where she held the same pioneering role. At UMG, she will lead data, analytics, and AI initiatives aimed at deepening artist-fan connections. UMG's COO Boyd Muir stated her expertise aligns with the company's vision for transforming these relationships. In talent representation, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hired Maxim Karlik as a Global Touring agent, bringing him over from rival agency UTA. CAA's Co-Head of Global Touring, Rick Roskin, highlighted Karlik's proven track record as a key asset.

On the creative side, Amusement—a joint venture between Sony Music Publishing and hit producer Daniel Nigro—signed producer Jon Buscema to a global deal. Buscema, known for his work with Conan Gray and securing sync placements with major brands like Netflix and Apple, was praised by Nigro as exceptionally thoughtful and skilled. In management news, Jet Management—founded by former C3 Presents executives and home to acts like Justice—added manager Dorothy Caccavale to its team to guide artists including electronic producer Omri.

Finally, capitalizing on the sustained boom in physical media, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation—a leading vinyl distributor—has appointed Jeffrey Smith as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for its new premium collectibles platform, Alliance Authentic. Smith joins from the online marketplace Discogs, a central hub for vinyl collectors globally. Alliance CEO Jeff Walker stated Smith's deep knowledge of the collector ecosystem will be instrumental in building trusted commerce platforms. This move strategically positions the company within a vinyl market that has experienced 17 consecutive years of sales growth, where limited editions frequently appreciate in value, becoming sought-after assets for enthusiasts.