Ditto Music sets up publishing division

The UK-headquartered company is currently in search of a global head of publishing to launch the new division.

Ditto Music CEO Lee Parsons told Music Business Worldwide this week that the new division would take up a full publisher's role including signing acts and collecting royalties all over the world.

“We will also be launching various new tools and services for our artists and then expanding those out for third parties,” Parsons said. “Our passion here is developing artists, so we will be signing and developing talent to build long-term careers at Ditto.”

Launched in 2005, Ditto Music works with more than 150 000 artists and in 2018 released top-40 albums and singles for a number artists.

In 2017, the company expanded its operations by opening up more offices around the globe, including South Africa, which covers the African region.

“Having more than 20 offices globally and signing content internationally means a lot of neighbouring rights and different royalties that constantly need collecting,” Parsons said.

“It makes sense for us to bring that process in-house and develop this publishing structure as well as providing tools for non-Ditto artists.”

This new development is part of a major move by the company to expand its scope and database. Apart from digital distribution, Ditto Music also offers social media, video promotion, PR and publicity, radio promotion and release strategy services.

The platform also allows artists to keep 100% of their commissions from their music. However, it does charge a yearly distribution fee.