Disney Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Announce European Sub-Publishing Deal

Disney Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Announce European Sub-Publishing Deal

Luigi-Theo Calabrese, President of Walt Disney Records Worldwide and Disney Music Publishing, today announced a European sub-publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music Publishing.

Warner/Chappell Music will represent Disney Music copyrights outside the US. As a sub-publisher, the responsibility of the wholly owned W/C publishing companies is to register the Disney copyrights with the local performing rights society, to administer and collect income that is due Disney as a result of the exploitation of their copyrights.

The pact encompasses all European countries with the exception of Italy for all classic and contemporary Disney compositions originating within the Disney production units, including theme parks, animated feature films, live action feature films, animated and live action TV, Walt Disney Records, The Disney Channel, and various Disney-related ventures.

"We are extremely excited about the new deal between Disney Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell," says Calabrese. "A European presence is crucial to the global development of Disney's myriad songs and talented songwriters. I look forward to working with Warner/Chappell and achieving success in this strategically important market."

"We could not have asked for better partners for our European business," adds Susan Borgeson, Senior Vice-President, Disney Music Publishing. "I am thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with Warner/Chappell in helping maximize Disney's Europe potential."

Les Bider, Chairman and Chief Executive of Warner/Chappell Music, said: "Warner/Chappell Music is pleased to know that a publisher as significant as Disney would entrust us with their extensive catalog for the territory of Europe. My long relationship with both Luigi-Theo and Susan will grow even stronger."

Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. (www.warnerchappell.com), WMG's award-winning music and print music publishing company, has a catalog of more than a million copyrights worldwide. These range from standards like "Happy Birthday," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," and the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, to the contemporary music of Madonna, Radiohead, Nickelback, Dido, Sheryl Crow, Staind and others. The company is often a first stop for A&R executives and record, feature film and television producers and others who need to acquire song rights.

Disney Music Publishing acquires, administers and markets musical copyrights, including, but not limited to, those copyrights originating from the various Disney production units. The division also publishes sheet music and, through its Seven Summits Music unit, manages a staff of exclusive songwriters who are responsible for original songs in every style from country, rock and pop, to R&B and gospel. Seven Summits Music also represents songwriters who have written the worldwide number one hits recorded by Uncle Kracker, Enrique Iglesias and Andrea Bocelli.

--Posted June 3, 2002
Source: Walt Disney Records