After strategically acquiring digital rights management firm Sentric in 2023, music company Believe has officially launched its global publishing division, marking a significant expansion beyond its traditional distribution services.
The move transforms Believe into a full-service global artist development company, now capable of managing both recording and publishing rights under one roof, a capability previously dominated by major music conglomerates.
The integration of Sentric’s technological platform and catalog provides Believe with immediate scale in music publishing capabilities, enabling efficient rights management and royalty collection worldwide. This technology-driven approach allows for real-time reporting and transparency for songwriters and rights holders, a significant departure from the often opaque practices of traditional publishing entities.
Believe’s publishing division is strategically targeting emerging music economies, with particular focus on India and South Asia where digital music consumption is rapidly growing. The company’s localized administration and rights management are tailored to diverse market structures, while its global infrastructure streamlines cross-border royalty collection, addressing a longstanding pain point for international creators.
Targeting emerging music markets with tailored solutions, Believe bridges global gaps that have long frustrated cross-border creators.
The digital-first model capitalizes on Believe’s existing distribution network to enhance song placement opportunities across platforms. With the appointment of Chris Meehan as CEO, the company brings nearly two decades of publishing expertise to lead its ambitious global vision. Leveraging AI and machine learning for rights discovery, the company aims to maximize monetization potential for creators while supporting flexible contract types that accommodate modern revenue streams. The company emphasizes metadata accuracy to ensure proper tracking and payment of royalties across all platforms.
For artists, the integrated services model presents a compelling proposition: extensive rights management under one company, streamlined revenue sharing, and simplified synchronization licensing across platforms. This consolidation enhances artist bargaining power and provides direct access to global markets through Believe’s established digital channels.
Believe’s approach directly challenges the traditional major-publisher dominance by combining publishing services with digital distribution expertise. The company is particularly well-positioned to help artists secure sync deals for film, television, and commercial placements, adding another lucrative revenue stream for its roster. By prioritizing transparency, technology, and artist-friendly terms, the company’s publishing initiative could potentially disrupt long-established industry power structures, offering independent creators an alternative to conventional publishing deals while maintaining greater control over their work and revenues. The company has already established meaningful collaborations with local songwriters and rightsholders to support diverse regional music ecosystems.
