Gresham Group partners with SESAC

Gresham Music Group, one of the biggest independent music companies in Africa, says the partnership will assist both African and international songwriters and publishers on the continent.

The partnership will also involve other companies such as the Harry Fox Agency, SUISA Digital Licensing and Mint Digital Services, which is the alliance between SESAC and SUISA.

The new deal will see GRM represent SESAC and the Harry Fox Agency in sub-Saharan Africa while jointly working with SUISA Digital Licensing. Mint Digital Services will do the data administration.

“The new company will enable creators to enjoy faster distributions, lower admin costs and provide African songwriters and publishers access to a broader spectrum of music users across the continent and around the world,” a press statement about the partnership reads.

GRM says its vision is to unlock as much value for African and international rights holders as possible through the convergence of data and technology, and establish a new rights management relationship between copyright owners and music users.

Through Gresham Music Group’s entities, including David Gresham Media, the joint venture is expected to allow the new partners to reach more listeners in retail, gyms, hotels and restaurants.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Gresham Music Group as they open the door to a new form of licensing, administration and collection for our writers and publishers in sub-Saharan Africa,” SESAC International president Alexander Wolf said.

Mint Digital Services CEO Fabian Niggemeier said: “Being able to provide superior administrative services on every continent is and always has been the goal of Mint. We are thrilled that GRM chose to work with us and we are looking forward to bringing the proper value of music to one of the most exciting and diverse music markets in the world: Africa.”