Music Industry Moves: Syracuse University Launches Bandier Music Business Master’s Program

Thania Garcia

The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University is offering a new master’s degree in music business, expanding on the success of the school’s undergraduate Bandier Program in the recording and entertainment industries. Both degree programs are named after Martin Bandier ’62, the veteran music publishing executive.

Launching in fall 2025, the Bandier music business master’s program provides a multidisciplinary education to prepare students for their first job in the music industry. The program will cover subjects including the fundamental rights, royalties, and deal-making approaches of the modern music business, across the label, publishing, management, streaming and live sectors, and all genres. Students will also be able to spend a semester in Los Angeles to work in the center of the music industry; the new master’s program will be overseen by Bill Werde, who is also director of the Bandier undergraduate program.

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“Our goal at the Bandier program has always been to be the premier music business school, offering the most comprehensive and cutting-edge education while forging top-tier industry connections,” Bandier said. “With this new master’s program, we’re taking it to the next level, shaping future music leaders who are equipped, connected and ready to make their mark.”

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Will.i.am has launched a new AI-led interactive media platform called RAiDiO.FYI, a new division of his creative technology company FYI.

RAiDiO.FYI was conceived by Will.i.am “to enrich lives and empower listeners with unique abilities to immerse, personalize, and have a two-way real-time conversation with their favorite topic-based STAiTiONS,” per a press release.

Powered by FYI, RAiDiO.FYI invites its users to chat with their radio stations, and ask about the music or the history of a song, with the ability to deep dive into several topics from news, sports, culture and fashion trends. Listeners instantly become “active participants, choosing topics, asking questions, and talking with AI personas.”

RAiDiO.FYI is accessed through the FYI.AI app available for iPhone and Android smartphones and is free to use.

+ Madrid-based artist and producer Rusowsky has signed to Warner Records. The label move comes as Rusowsky gears up for the release of a new single called “neo roneo” in collaboration with Latin Mafia.

Warner Records is also partnering on a joint venture with Rusia-IDK, the Madrid-based avant-garde collective that’s home to Ralphie Choo, Rusowsky, TRISTÁN!, drummie and mori. Rusowksy was profiled as an “Indie Artist to Watch” by Variety in 2023.

Rusowsky is a prominent figure in Madrid’s genre-bending alternative music scene. He began releasing music in 2019 and has since collaborated with C. Tangana and fellow Rusia-IDK member Ralphie Choo.

+ Platinum Grammar Publishing and Listen to the Kids has inked global publishing deal with songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Adam Wendler.

Wendler was a co-writer and composer for Dasha’s “Austin,” which peaked in the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Platinum Grammar Publishing was founded by longtime music industry veteran Joie Manda.

“From the moment we met Adam, we were blown away by his musical ability,” said Conor Ambrose, CEO of Listen to the Kids. “He is such a special talent and we have been working with him for years through his collaborative work with Pacific. We are excited to expand our partnership and look forward to working with our partners at Platinum Grammar in amplifying and showcasing his music globally.”

+ Marisa Jeffries has joined Nick Stern’s Stern Management in a new role of general manager. She will work with a curated roster including Djo, Metric, the Black Angels, Ben Abraham, Phosphorescent, Karina Rykman, Finn Wolfhard, Durry and Ill Peach.

Jeffries comes to Stern Management from TikTok, where she most recently served as a lead on its music partnerships and operations team. While there, she oversaw an award-winning campaign with Rosalía and Columbia Records around the latter’s “Motomami” album, and developed a robust partnership with Taylor Swift around multiple projects, including the albums “Red (Taylor’s Version)” and “Midnights” and a first-of-its-kind tour hub for the Eras Tour.

In the early years of her career at Sony Music, she worked to bring music into non-traditional retail venues, later shifting gears to emerging digital marketplaces. Jeffries also worked at SoundCloud, where she led the label partnerships team.

“Nick has been a consistent and trusted colleague and friend, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with him in this new era of Stern Management,” said Jeffries. “We share a mutual respect for one another, and believe in building artist careers brick by brick. We also share a love of artistry – not necessarily what’s popular at the moment, but really believing in artists who are making incredible music and bring nothing but authenticity to their craft.”

+ Audio Chateau Records, a new label launched by Jared Gutstadt’s audio entertainment company Audio Up Media, has signed Nashville based songwriter and musician Clayton Johnson to their roster.

Johnson recently entered the Billboard’s Hot 100 for co-writing Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s “Tough.” Johnson is also currently signed as a songwriter under a joint venture with Audio Up (parent company of Audio Chateau Records) and Universal Music Publishing Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Clayton Johnson as our first signing to Audio Chateau. He is tapping into the infinite potential of Audio Chateau, not only as a label, but as an exclusive destination for some of the best and brightest songwriters and artists globally,” said Gutstadt. “From penning ‘Tough’ with Lana in our space to using our studios and published writers and producers he is showing us what can be done at Audio Up and within the walls of the Audio Chateau, which is not only a physical destination but now the home and namesake of our label. His journey is just beginning, and we couldn’t be prouder to have him on board.”

Tuesday, Aug. 20

HarbourView Equity Partners (HarbourView) has purchased the publishing catalog of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer James Fauntleroy.

Fauntleroy has collaborated with global artists including Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake and Mariah Carey, among many others. Only a select number of Fauntleroy’s credits as a songwriter were purchased, while the complete terms of the transaction were not disclosed. He most recently co-wrote the newly released single from Lady Gaga and Mars, “Die with a Smile.”

“My catalog sale to HarbourView is the culmination of years of work and dedication invested into the creative community and the craft of songwriting,” said Fauntleroy. “This partnership has already opened up more doors for growth and opportunity for me, and I’m incredibly excited and thankful to enter into this next chapter together.”

“James Fauntleroy has made an incredible impact with his contributions across several genres, including Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B,” said HarbourView Founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares. “With a keen ear for creating global hits, he has solidified his position as one of the best singer/songwriters and producers of this generation. We are excited to welcome him to the HarbourView family.”

In 2018, Fauntleroy won the song of the year and R&B song of the year Grammy awards for his contributions to Mars’ “That’s What I Like.” Following the Recording Academy’s rule change, he also made history as the first songwriter ever to receive the Grammy for “Album of the Year” for co-writing eight of the nine tracks on Mars’ “24K Magic” album. Along with his work as a songwriter and producer, Fauntleroy co-founded the 1500 Sound Academy – a music school based in his hometown of Inglewood, striving to “produce young artists, songwriters and producers with mentorship, positive mindset and professional development,” per a press release.

+ Sony Music has promoted Christoph Behm to CEO of the Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA) companies beginning Sept. 1. He replaces Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba who is departing the company at the end of August.

Reporting to Daniel Lieberberg, president of Sony Music Continental Europe and Africa, Behm will work out of Berlin to oversee the GSA region’s strategy and operations. He most recently held the title of senior vice president of the commercial division for the GSA company.

In making the announcement, Lieberberg said, “Christoph has played an important role in building and expanding our business across this region during the streaming era. He has worked closely with our artists to bring their music to new fans innovatively and has embraced continuous industry change to create opportunity despite rapidly shifting paradigms and business models. Christoph’s deep understanding of our DSP partners and creativity as a leader for nearly 10 years will serve him well in his new role as we always work to adapt for the future.”

Behm added, “It fills me with pride to now lead the company that I have served in various roles for so many years. I can’t wait to start with the excellent team at Sony Music GSA and bring out the best in our artists daily. We are at another exciting time for our industry, and I look forward with great confidence to this next chapter for Sony Music GSA.”

+ ADA, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Group, has partnered with FTS Global Management, which will see the company covering global distribution for FTS’ network of artists. The label’s roster includes the Game, Eric Bellinger, and Konshens.

“We’re excited to welcome a label led by a visionary committed to artist empowerment,” said Cat Kreidich, president of ADA. “This partnership perfectly aligns with ADA’s mission to not only distribute exceptional music, but also to foster the growth of enduring catalogs and cultivate new audiences.”

Powered by Simran A. Singh, Singh & Trauben, LLP, FTS Global Management specializes in financial literacy for artists and building long-term careers, rather than focusing solely on short-term gains.

+ MUSEXPO, in collaboration with A&R Worldwide, has announced Michael Goldstone, founder/co-owner of Mom+Pop Music, as the recipient of the second annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award.”

The award will be presented during the International Music Industry Awards gala on March 19 at the conclusion of the 25th global edition of MUSEXPO taking place in Burbank, Calif. from March 16 – 19, 2025.

The award celebrates the A&R career and contributions Goldstone, widely regarded for developing and working with such artists as Blondie, Billy Idol, the Specials and Pat Benatar. His first A&R position was at MCA Records, where he signed Charlie Sexton. He later moved to PolyGram, where he signed the beloved Seattle, WA band Mother Love Bone ushering in a new era of rock.

Goldstone was also the VP of A&R at Sony Music/Epic Records, where he signed and developed Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine. He then became a partner at DreamWorks Records, before working with Seymour Stein himself for the relaunch of Sire Records. In 2009, he created Mom+Pop Music, with a roster that includes Courtney Barnett, Del Water Gap, MGMT, Flume, Orion Sun and Maya Hawke, among others.

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