Kobalt Music Group has entered into a global publishing and administration agreement with Sync Music Global, formalizing a relationship that places the London-based company’s growing catalog under Kobalt’s worldwide infrastructure.
Under the deal, Kobalt will handle global sub-publishing and administration for Sync Music Global’s catalog and songwriter roster. The agreement also establishes a joint venture between the two companies, giving both sides the ability to collaborate on future songwriter signings and expand Sync Music Global’s presence in additional markets.
Independent Publisher Scaling Through Global Infrastructure
Sync Music Global was founded by UK rapper Avelino alongside executives Gautier Mukuna and Rowland Ashitey. In a relatively short period, the company has built a reputation within the UK publishing sector by working with writers and producers emerging from the underground and independent music scenes.
Its client roster includes artists and writers such as Blanco, Black Sherif, One Acen, JB Scofield and Kyile Evans, along with producers including Anitiwave. One of Anitiwave’s most visible credits is the double-platinum single “Jumanji” by B Young.
For smaller independent publishers, global administrative partnerships are often the mechanism that allows catalogs to scale internationally without building infrastructure in multiple territories. Through this arrangement, Kobalt will provide rights administration, royalty collection, and global sub-publishing services across Sync Music’s catalog.
Sync and Media Placements Driving Catalog Value
Sync Music Global has also focused heavily on synchronization licensing, securing placements across film, television, gaming, and brand campaigns. Recent placements connected to its catalog include projects such as The Equalizer 3, Tomb Raider, and the television series Power.
The company has also landed music in major video game franchises including FIFA, NBA 2K24 and UFC 2.
Beyond entertainment media, Sync has worked with global brands including True Religion and Manchester United on bespoke music campaigns.
The emphasis on sync reflects a broader shift in publishing economics, where film, television, gaming, and brand placements have become a significant revenue stream for independent publishers and songwriters.
Strategic Alignment with Kobalt’s Publishing Model
For Kobalt, the deal fits squarely into its long-standing strategy of partnering with independent publishers and catalogs while handling the backend administration and global collection infrastructure.
The company currently administers more than one million songs across its global network and represents writers across multiple genres and markets. Its roster includes songwriters and artists such as Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Gunna, Justin Quiles and Paul McCartney.
Kobalt’s infrastructure is also supported by AMRA, its digital collection society designed to streamline royalty collection and improve transparency for rights holders in the streaming era.
What the Deal Signals
For Sync Music Global, the agreement provides global reach without surrendering its independent identity. For Kobalt, it strengthens its position as the administrative backbone for a growing number of independent publishers building catalogs outside the traditional major-publisher system.
The joint venture component suggests the partnership will extend beyond administration into talent development and writer acquisitions, positioning both companies to expand their influence in emerging creative markets.