Several new hires and promotions happen in the industry leading music financial services company to support its rapidly expanding business.

Sound Royalties has hired eight new team members, promoted two senior leaders to Vice Presidents of their divisions, and elevated others into management positions as its business more than doubled in 2022. These hires will allow Sound Royalties to further expand its data and royalty analysis teams and continue to provide their artist-friendly financing for music creatives and the industry at large.

“We continue to see a notable uptick in demand for our services. Accordingly, we needed to grow our operations and royalty support teams in order to maintain our high standards for quality, speed and transparency for our customers,” explains Sound Royalties President, Michael Bizenov. “We’re excited to be expanding our team with these excellent new hires.”

Sound Royalties is building on its already strong track record of investing heavily in royalty services, technology, and data operations to nurture the areas of the business that directly impact how it serves creatives. When an artist, songwriter, producer, or other rights holder comes to Sound Royalties, they are guaranteed timely, accurate, easy-to-understand information and solutions that meet their financial needs. “Delivering unequaled customer experiences is central to who we are,” says Bizenov. 

In addition to eight new employees and several promotions in other areas, Sound Royalties has promoted Shaun Kilmartin to VP of Technology and Special Projects, a vital position to continue innovating and supporting the company’s growth. The company has also promoted leading figures in its marketing department, including Allison Portlock, who is now VP of Marketing. Portlock and her team will continue to increase Sound Royalties’ involvement in the music community and continue the company’s history of thought leadership and commitment to a healthier music ecosystem through financial education and services. 

New management positions have been appointed to several staff members, including Marysol Aldaba as Royalty Support Manager, and Bryan Fried as Royalty Analyst Manager. These key positions are critical to cultivating superior customer communications and ensuring that the company maintains its high level of focus on individualized relationships, even with the rise in volume and financing requests. 

“As is so common here at Sound Royalties, these executives and managers have grown professionally with the company through the years – a testament to our commitment of promoting from within and investing in our people and our culture,” commented Bizenov. “A great employee experience translates to superior customer experiences.”

New Hires:

Michael Aufiero – Royalty Specialist
Leandro Castro – Junior Systems Administrator
Nicole Hanrahan – Data Management Specialist
Natasha Mikazens – Royalty Specialist
Yvonne Swaby – Accounting Manager
Zachary Vega – Royalty Analyst
Kateleen Vera – Royalty Support Specialist
Christian Vernis – Junior Royalty Specialist

Promotions:
 
Marysol Aldaba – Royalty Support Manager
Emma Blake – Administration Manager
Bryan Fried – Royalty Analyst Manager 
Kimberly Guisao – Digital Marketing Coordinator
Shaun Kilmartin – Vice President of Technology and Special Projects
Allison Portlock – Vice President of Marketing
Erin Regan – Marketing Manager

About Sound Royalties

Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties, LLC is a pioneer of music financing on all types of royalty streams. The company led the way to a new kind of access to funding, empowering music industry professionals in their projects, without ever taking ownership of their copyrights and allowing for ongoing cash flow instead of 100% recoupment. Thanks to its artist-friendly, financially sound approach, Sound Royalties has become the largest music financing service provider in the industry, with representatives around the world. 
Sound Royalties has worked with thousands of music industry professionals, from emerging artists and rising stars to GRAMMY Award winners, as well as music distributors, publishers, and record labels in every genre. The company works with hundreds of thousands of songs and streams that include credits by Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Isaac Hayes, Beyonce, Solange, and so many more. Learn more at https://soundroyalties.com.

Sound Royalties is announcing its recent support of The Lab Studios, an innovative recording and events space in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood. The Lab is the culmination of years of hard work by Latin GRAMMY-winning producer Paul Irizarry, better known to the music world as Echo and one of the original shapers of reggaeton. The studio and the team of producers and engineers behind it promise to strengthen the infrastructure for Latin music creation, right at the heart of a key music city.

Sound Royalties supported Echo’s efforts with its artist-friendly financing that advances future royalties, allowing music creatives to take advantage of timely opportunities. The Lab project demonstrates how prompt and savvy funding like this enables creatives to invest in their communities without giving up ownership of their core asset, their copyrights. 

“Catalog sales make splashy headlines and may be the right decision for some artists. But there are truly transformative finance stories driven by artists, producers, and creatives that reflect deep investment in their career and their community, the kind of investment that creates foundational changes to their lives and the community around them,” explains Alex Heiche, CEO and founder of Sound Royalties. “Building the infrastructure that lifts all involved is one of the main ways our customers use royalty advances, and The Lab shows how powerful that can be.”

“I’ve been developing a relationship with Sound Royalties over the last five years. They helped me get this dream across the finish line,” Echo recounts. “In 2001, I built the original The Lab Studios, a huge studio facility in Puerto Rico that’s still in operation. Historic albums like Daddy Yankee’s Barrio Fino and Don Omar Los Bandoleros were recorded there. But in Miami, I saw a real opportunity in the market for a very high-end, professional studio, with great acoustics, equipment, and sound, in the right location to serve our creative community. There was nothing like what I envisioned, and Sound Royalties helped me get it done.”

The Lab, with its Dolby ATMOS mixing room and state-of-the-art equipment, was built to make superior recordings and function as the heart of urban Latin music in Miami. This fits Echo’s long-term trajectory as creator and instigator. At his first studio in Puerto Rico, located in a part of his father’s furniture factory, he laid down foundational tracks by some of reggaeton’s founding fathers. He had to build it himself because no one took the music seriously: “Reggaeton was starting, most of the people in power [in Puerto Rico] didn’t want it to succeed. We’d call the salsa and professional studios and they wouldn’t even rent to us.”

Later working with major names such as Pitbull, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, and many others, Echo helped create a new sound that took the world by storm. Yet even as he did, he had his own dreams. “You can be the world’s best chef, but if you don’t have the right tools or a good kitchen, you can’t cook,” he notes. Echo wanted a pro-level gourmet kitchen.

Now he has it. “The studio has been filled with incredible energy. Sessions are going on non-stop, though we only opened recently,” Echo says. “We had 300 people at our opening. I have no doubt it will become a real headquarters for my creative team and my process, as well as an incredible creative hub for talent in Miami.”

About Sound Royalties
Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties, LLC is a pioneer of music financing on all types of royalty streams. The company led the way to a new kind of access to funding, empowering music industry professionals in their projects, without ever taking ownership of their copyrights and allowing for ongoing cash flow instead of 100% recoupment. Thanks to its artist-friendly, financially sound approach, Sound Royalties has become the largest music financing service provider in the industry, with representatives around the world. 
Sound Royalties has worked with thousands of music industry professionals, from emerging artists and rising stars to GRAMMY Award winners, as well as music distributors, publishers, and record labels in every genre. The company works with hundreds of thousands of songs and streams that include credits by Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Alicia Keys, Don Omar, Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Eliel Lind, El Alfa Smokey Robinson, and so many more. Learn more at soundroyalties.com.

Increasing their volume of business by more than 90%, the leading music finance firm’s record growth in 2022 reflects established music creatives’ expanding entrepreneurial needs.

Music professionals want to grow, and to grow, they are seeking capital and financing at an unprecedented rate from trusted partners. This is what Sound Royalties’ year-end results show: The company’s volume of fundings to music creatives grew by more than 90%. For thousands of creatives, this means more resources to invest, launch projects, tour, build, or manage their financial lives under the best terms in the industry.

“We’re growing because we are serving artists, songwriters, producers, and other music creatives in the way that makes the most sense for their professional and personal plans,” explains Sound Royalties founder and CEO Alex Heiche. “We’re always listening to what our customers need on a case-by-case basis and putting together personalized solutions that make financial sense.” 

Sound Royalties has continued to expand its geographic scope, as well. To serve its clients in 14 countries, it works with more than 130 payors across three continents and maintains an international network of representatives who know their region’s music professionals. 

Sound Royalties’ unique model, tailored to creatives’ individual needs, lets creators keep full ownership of their copyrights while providing ongoing cash flow during the term of the advance. The company works with all types of royalty streams to maximize clients’ options, going far beyond solely music streaming platform revenues. It works with thousands of accomplished creatives of all levels like artist DJ Khaled (Rick Ross, Jennifer Lopez, Migos), music producer David Tickle (Prince, U2, The Police), songwriters Sonia Leigh (Zac Brown Band), Steve Dorff (Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston), and Larry Weiss (Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow), among many others.

“This huge leap in volume is a testament to our commitment to this community,” says Sound Royalties president Michael Bizenov. “It speaks our artist friendly programs for music creatives who are  seeking to invest in their careers and businesses.”

About Sound Royalties
Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties, LLC is a pioneer of music financing on all types of royalty streams. The company led the way to a new kind of access to funding, empowering music industry professionals in their projects, without ever taking ownership of clients’ copyrights and allowing for ongoing cash flow instead of 100% recoupment. Thanks to its artist-friendly, financially sound approach, Sound Royalties has become the largest music financing service provider in the industry, with representatives around the world. 
Sound Royalties has worked with thousands of music industry professionals, from emerging artists and rising stars to GRAMMY Award winners, as well as music distributors, publishers, and record labels in every genre. The company works with hundreds of thousands of songs and streams that include credits by Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Isaac Hayes, Beyonce, Solange, and so many more. Learn more at soundroyalties.com.

The largest music royalty financing provider taps music industry veterans Andrew Stess and David Blutenthal of StessCo Consulting Group as new representatives in the western US.

Sound Royalties, the artist-friendly music financing company, is continuing its geographic expansion and announcing its latest team members, adding to their existing presence on the US West Coast. Led by two music business experts, Andrew Stess and David Blutenthal of StessCo, the team will support songwriters, artists, rightsholders, and other music creatives as they seek out the right financial solution to fund their music career.

“Our representatives aim to understand a creative’s funding goals before offering them a customized financing plan, and there’s no better way to do this than by hiring globally savvy, but locally knowledgeable music industry representatives like Andrew and David,” explains Alex Heiche, CEO and founder of Sound Royalties. “Our international and regional teams are essential to better serving our customers, meeting them where they are and providing critical capital to support their individual plans as creatives.”

Founder of StessCo, Stess is a long-standing music industry expert who has worked with some of the biggest pioneers in the business. With 25 years in music and 11 as a high-level consultant for companies like LyricFind, Dash Radio, Tuned Global, and Music Story, Stess has guided several music startups that went on to acquisition by the likes of Sony, Spotify and Downtown Music. An experienced founder and patent-holding innovator, Blutenthal specializes in supporting companies and entrepreneurs as they grow. He joined the StessCo team several years ago.

Through this new business relationship with Sound Royalties, Stess and his team aim to help more artists, rightsholders, and music companies discover how financing can fit into a healthy business plan, whether they are getting ready to head out on tour or invest in their next big project. Their westward-looking focus will expand Sound Royalties’ existing team in Los Angeles as well as its robust networks in Nashville, Miami, New York, and abroad in Canada, the UK, and Latin America.

“We love the people at Sound Royalties and truly believe in the product,” says Stess. “David and I feel confident we can bring value to our network of artists and music professionals, and we’re already seeing some of the first fundings begin to take shape. It’s wonderful to support a strong company like Sound Royalties as they build more business in markets like Los Angeles and the Bay Area.”

About Sound Royalties
Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties, LLC is a pioneer of music financing on all types of royalty streams. The company led the way to a new kind of access to funding, empowering music industry professionals in their projects, without ever taking ownership of clients’ copyrights and allowing for ongoing cash flow instead of 100% recoupment. Thanks to its artist-friendly, financially sound approach, Sound Royalties has become the largest music financing service provider in the industry, with representatives around the world. 
Sound Royalties has worked with thousands of music industry professionals, from emerging artists and rising stars to GRAMMY Award winning global superstars, as well as music distributors, publishers, and record labels in every genre. The company works with hundreds of thousands of songs and streams that include credits by Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Zac Brown Band, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Isaac Hayes, Beyonce, Solange, and so many more. Learn more at soundroyalties.com.

About StessCo
StessCo (stess.co) is a leading music, gaming, and media consultancy specializing in business development, sales strategy, product strategy, and corporate development, with a keen sense of their role as advisors, educators, and cross-pollinators in an increasingly complex digital entertainment ecosystem. With over a decade in business and hundreds of millions in successful deals closed to its credit, StessCo has worked with some of the leading innovators and established forces in the music business, including LyricFind, Tuned Global, Music Story, Wyze, Melodie, Dash Radio, Span Digital, and many others. Its clients have built thriving businesses or executed profitable exits via acquisition by major media companies. 

Sound Royalties supports the Muscle Shoals music community in its ongoing quest to support songwriters.

Sound Royalties, the leading music financing company, knows songwriters are both devoted artists and hard-working small business owners. That’s why the company is once again supporting these creatives at the upcoming Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival (November 4-5, 2022), a two-day event celebrating the art and craft of song.

“We strive to provide the everyday fuel songwriters need to keep the creative energy burning, and to build a more accessible financial future for music creatives,” explains Alex Heiche, founder and CEO of Sound Royalties. “The Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival shares our vision, and we’re thrilled to join the festival again this year and support their creative community.” 

Held annually in one of America’s hubs for making music history, the festival highlights great voices in songwriting, while lifting up new writers and perspectives, all in a welcoming, fun environment. Sound Royalties will have a video lounge available for the award-winning performers to share their songwriting stories. It will also power a showcase featuring Kent Blazy, Bobby Tomberlin, Mark Narmore, Jeff Garrison, Payton Smith, Emily Falvey, Monty Holmes, Marla Cannon, and Billy Lawson at the Marriott Conference Center. And it will host the VIP section of one of the festival’s biggest parties at Swampers Bar and Grille all weekend, complete with its own signature cocktail, the Sound Spritz.

"The Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival 2022 presented by Marriott Shoals will be filled with incredible songwriters who will take the stage and share their story behind some of the most famous songs ever written,” says Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival Founder Lillian Glanton. “We are excited to have Sound Royalties involved for the second year in a row. Their continuing efforts to support songwriters both financially and creatively is such a beautiful thing and we're grateful for their partnership."

Sound Royalties has worked with songwriters in this genre and community including previous festival performer Dylan LeBlanc and Grammy-winning songwriter and Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival Director Philip White, as well as Earl Bud Lee, Sonia Leigh, Larry Weiss, and many more. 

White’s journey reflects how important financing can be to a songwriter’s career. He has penned country hits for artists such as George Strait, Luke Bryan, Chris Ledoux, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Reba, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, and Jake Owen. He has also toured extensively with his own band, served on the Board of the Festival since its inception in 2019, and worked with Sound Royalties to finance his music projects, appreciating their artist-friendly terms. “The music business has changed so much, but it’s still hard to get financing when you need it,” explains White. “Sound Royalties makes life easier for me and other songwriters.”

For tickets and more information on MSSF, go to mssongfest.com.

About Sound Royalties
Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties, LLC is a pioneer of music financing on all types of royalty streams. The company led the way to a new kind of access to funding, empowering music industry professionals in their projects, without ever taking ownership of clients’ copyrights and allowing for ongoing cashflow instead of 100% recoupment. Thanks to its artist-friendly, financially sound approach, Sound Royalties has become the largest music financing service provider in the industry, with representatives around the world. 

Sound Royalties has worked with thousands of music industry professionals, from emerging artists and rising stars to GRAMMY Award winners, as well as music distributors, publishers, and record labels in every genre. The company works with hundreds of thousands of songs and streams that include credits by Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Zac Brown Band, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Isaac Hayes, Beyonce, Solange, and so many more. Learn more at https://soundroyalties.com.