Warner Chappell Music is welcoming indie rock veteran Liz Phair into its stable as part of a global administration deal covering her entire catalog, including her influential 1993 Matador debut Exile in Guyville.

"My songs represent my life’s work, and I am excited to take a fresh look at my catalog with the support of such a unique and maverick team at Warner Chappell," said Phair.

In addition to Guyville, Phair’s expansive catalog includes 1994’s Whip-Smart and 1998’s whitechocolatespaceegg, both of which earned Grammy nods. She’s also had success in television, composing tunes for USA’s In Plain Sight and the CW reboot of 90210, which earned her the 2009 ASCAP award for Top Television Composer.

"She continues to influence music today, and we're proud to be working together to introduce even more audiences to her incredible songs," said WCM Co-Chair/COO Carianne Marshall of Phair. Added WCM SVP/A&R and Catalog Greg Sowders, "Her work is more relevant today than it was when she first changed all the rules. There are many more great things in store for Liz and her career as she takes on this next chapter.”

Rob Stratton continues his rise at Sony Music Publishing U.K. with a promotion to Vice President, Visual + Media Rights.

Stratton joined the company 10 years ago as a promotions executive and moved into his current department in 2019. In 2022, he was upped to Director, Visual + Media Rights. He's credited as furthering the successes of existing clients and running point deals with Hasbro, Mattel and All3Media during his tenure.

In his new position, Stratton will spearhead SMP’s Visual + Media efforts in the U.K., and will also continue to work alongside SVP Cathy Merenda and the US Visual + Media Rights team to expand the business globally.

Co-Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing Tim Major said "[Rob] is a thoughtful and intelligent executive who is focused on delivering great service to our partners and who brings a calm and positive energy to our leadership team. We are delighted to see him growing within the company and he truly deserves this promotion."

Merenda echoed that sentiment, adding, "Rob is a star who has only just begun to show us the depth of his talents, and I’m excited to see what’s to come. I could not be happier for this well-deserved promotion."

"I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Vice President and leading the Visual + Media Rights team in the UK.A big thank you to Tim, [SVP] David [Ventura] and Cathy for their support and trust," said Stratton.

Primary Wave is waving the flag for its writers’ roles in some big radio records. At the top of the heap is “Too Sweet” by Columbia’s Hozier, co-written by PW-affiliated Serge Gherman and Tyler Reese. The track is currently #2 at Top 40 and #1 at Hot AC and Alternative.

A key catalog credit is the Ray Charles sample on Kendrick Lamar’s monster “Not Like Us” (pgLang/Interscope), which has blasted its way to #1 at Rhythm and Urban and is Top 25 at Pop.

What else are they waving about? Well there’s artist-writer Jeremih’s cut “Wait on It,” f/Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown (PULSE), which is Top 25 at Rhythm and about to chart at Urban; YG Marley’s indie phenomenon “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” (written by catalog icon Bob Marley), which charted at Urban/R&B; fellow catalog legend Whitney Houston's Clean Bandit remix “How Will I Know” (out via RCA and now on the chart at AC); and two cuts happening on the Dance chart, Badger x Natasha Bedingfield’s “These Words” (Cheeky/Sony U.K.) which is Top 10 and boasts a contribution from tunesmith Steve Kipner, and CYRIL’s “Stumblin’ In” (Spinnin Records), co-penned by pop luminary Nick Chinn and now Top 25.

PW's Larry Mestel and Justin Shukat are now working on a bumpin' remix of this news item.