Sony Music Publishing promotes Sarah Pickering to the position of Vice President for Creative and Writer Services, and she will also serve as co-head of synchronization.
Sarah 'Pixie' Pickering, a renowned figure in the music industry, has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Creative & Writer Services, and Co-Head of Sync at Sony Music Publishing UK. This elevated position marks a significant step forward in her career, as she continues to co-lead the UK Sync division while taking on new responsibilities to advance creative activity for SMP’s songwriters and catalogues across the entire Sony ecosystem.
Pickering's new role will involve implementing creative strategies to grow opportunities for SMP’s UK and global roster across all media. This includes creating new and innovative opportunities beyond the traditional sync model, driving creative collaboration across the Sony family of companies, and putting songwriters closer to strategic initiatives that open doors to wider multimedia uses and new income streams.
The promotion is effective immediately, and Pickering will continue to report to Sony Music Publishing's co-managing director UK Tim Major and president & co-managing director UK, SVP international David Ventura. Major expressed his excitement about Pickering's promotion, stating that her role will bring her closer to songwriters and the company's mission.
Pickering's journey with Sony Music Publishing began in 2009 when she joined EMI Production Music as a music consultant. Since then, she has played an integral role in the growing sync business for SMP UK, later transitioning into commercial sync at SMP (then Sony/ATV) in 2012. In 2020, she was elevated to vice president, creative, taking on a leadership role co-heading the UK sync team alongside Chris Jones, vice president, licensing.
Pickering is passionate about the One Sony initiative and is thrilled to be able to work towards new and exciting innovative ventures in this space. She is based out of Sony Music Publishing's London office and will work in close collaboration with Sony's sister companies to fuel synergies.
This promotion comes at a time when Sony Music Publishing UK is thriving. The company recently won in the Publisher category at the Music Week Awards earlier this year. Pickering's expanded role is expected to further strengthen Sony Music Publishing UK's mission to foster greater creative development and lucrative opportunities for its roster, enhancing songwriter support with a more holistic, cross-company strategic approach.
- With her new role as Vice President, Creative & Writer Services, and Co-Head of Sync at Sony Music Publishing UK, Sarah 'Pixie' Pickering's career in the music industry has progressed, moving further into music publishing's finance and business aspects, healthily integrating her expertise with the entertainment sector.
- As a result of her recent promotion, Pickering's responsibilities now encompass devising innovative strategies to expand opportunities for Sony Music Publishing's roster across various media, including the exploration of new financing avenues to foster cross-company collaborations and bolster income streams for songwriters.
- Throughout her time at Sony Music Publishing, starting as a music consultant in 2009, Sarah 'Pixie' Pickering has substantially contributed to the growing sync business, and her elevated position signifies her commitment to the company's goals, driving creative business innovations and strengthening Sony Music Publishing UK's position in the dynamic field of music entertainment.
