Warner Chappell CEO Guy Moot Wins UK Music Award

First Music Publisher to Win MITS Award

Guy Moot becomes the first music publisher to receive the UK’s MITS Award, with proceeds going to The BRIT Trust and music therapy charity Nordoff & Robbins.

“I remember one label executive saying to me around 30 years ago that publishers were the ‘leeches on the record company’s back.’ We’re [far past] that, we’re now clearly the sexy part of the business!”

Warner Chappell’s Revenue Growth

Warner Chappell doubled annual revenues under Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall, with banner signings including Dua Lipa, Amy Allen, Zach Bryan, Laufey, and ROSÉ.

My Chemical Romance Deal

Warner Chappell signed My Chemical Romance to a worldwide administration deal covering the band’s entire catalog and future works.

20th Anniversary Edition Success

The 20th anniversary edition of The Black Parade gave Warner Chappell their first-ever No. 1 albums in the UK and the US.

AI Music Licensing Debate

Warner Music Group licenses AI music creators but warns against blanket claims that all AI users are producing mass bot-generated content.

“Not everybody using ai is creating music to put out 50,000 tracks a week and push it to a bot farm.”

US Copyright Royalty Board Battle

Amazon proposes cutting songwriters’ streaming rates for 2028, 2032 in a US Copyright Royalty Board battle.

Publishing’s Role in Music

Guy Moot states publishing has evolved from being seen as ‘leeches on the record company’s back’ to the ‘sexy part of the business’.

“I remember one label executive saying to me around 30 years ago that publishers were the ‘leeches on the record company’s back.’ We’re [far past] that, we’re now clearly the sexy part of the business!”

Catalog Competition

Publishing faces competition from catalog ownership, with Warner Chappell emphasizing catalog as a key growth driver.

PRO Network Efficiency

Warner Chappell rates PROs from 10/10 to far less, with plans to hold them to account for transparency in digital royalties.

“Some, i’d give 10/10. Others, i’d give far less. We’re having significant conversations with those ones. And, unashamedly, warner chappell’s going to hold them to account.”

My Chemical Romance’s Relevance

My Chemical Romance’s live shows attract fathers and daughters, and fathers and sons, singing every word of their music.

Warner Music Group Changes

Warner Music Group has undergone structural redesigns and headcount reductions across the industry.

AI and Songwriting

Guy Moot believes AI can benefit songwriters who create emotionally resonant music, not just mass-produced content.

“I said at the very beginning of ai: if you’re making average music, you might be in trouble. But if you are an incredible songwriter and artist, if you touch the human soul, you could be more in demand than ever.”

Streaming Royalty Rates

Warner Chappell wants higher streaming rates for songwriters, emphasizing the value of music within streaming bundles.

“I cannot fathom how someone thinks they should be paying less for songwriters. It’s crazy.”

Publishing’s Future

Guy Moot aims to double Warner Chappell’s revenue growth beyond market rates while improving transparency in the industry.

“We’ve got a very ambitious growth plan.”

One Question for Change

Guy Moot wants fewer trade bodies and better payment for songwriters to address industry fragmentation.

“This question! Today, it would be not having 25 different trade bodies or spokespeople. And if we do, at least having one place where we can bring it together and actually speak as an industry.”