Warner Chappell Music is launching in India under its own name, transitioning from the sub-publishing model it has relied on to date to a full-scale, direct-to-market presence.
The global publishing arm of Warner Music Group said Warner Chappell Music India, or WCM India, aims to offer Indian songwriters access to the company’s global creative network and rights management infrastructure, according to a Wednesday (April 22) announcement.
Jay Mehta, who currently serves as Managing Director of Warner Music India since its launch in 2020, will lead the new division, overseeing both recorded music and publishing operations across India and neighboring South Asian markets.
As MBW previously reported, India is a big priority for Warner Music Group. Mehta told MBW in December 2024: “One of the things we always aimed for when I started Warner Music India was to become a top three label in the country. It seemed very ambitious when we started because we were the last big player to enter the market.”
“To have that kind of dream in an extremely competitive Indian market, without having a domestic catalog, almost felt unreal. But [we’ve already] had success,” Mehta said at the time.
Mehta will continue reporting to Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, and Lo Ting-Fai (Lofai), President, Warner Music APAC.
“By bringing our publishing and recorded music operations under Jay Mehta’s proven leadership, we’re creating a unified powerhouse that can better serve creators and fans alike.”
Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group
The new WCM India division will provide songwriters with exclusive access to the wider WMG’s studios within its Mumbai headquarters. WMG claims to be “the only major music company in India to offer such a localized, high-tech creative hub.”
The launch comes as domestic creator collections in India jumped 42% YoY in 2024 to INR ₹7 billion (USD $83.7 million at the average exchange rate for 2024), WCM India said, citing data from CISAC. India now ranks 15th globally in recorded music, according to the IFPI.
WCM India noted that Bollywood, which once accounted for roughly 80% of digital consumption in India, now represents less than half. Independent and non-film music has taken on a larger share, according to the press release. Domestic repertoire still dominates, accounting for 89% of all music streaming in the country.
Going direct for WCM means songwriters in its roster in India will have access to creative and rights management services, enhanced digital licensing capabilities, and a dedicated on-the-ground team in Mumbai, the company said.
Additionally, Indian songwriters and catalog partners will also have full access to WCM’s proprietary technology and administration infrastructure, including WCM’s AI-driven royalty matching tool Global Match, the Client Portal for real-time visibility into earnings and catalog performance, and Pulse, the company’s client app developed in direct partnership with songwriters.
Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Recorded Music and Publishing, India and SAARC, WMG, said: “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
“India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
Jay Mehta, Warner Music India
Added Mehta: “We’re now positioned to offer Indian creators the sophisticated resources and international reach that only a world-leading publisher can provide, ensuring their music resonates on a global stage.”
Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music, added: “India has some of the most talented songwriters in the world, and they are increasingly making their mark globally.
“What excites us most about this move is not just the expansion of our presence, but the opportunity to help shape an evolving publishing ecosystem that truly works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere. With Jay Mehta at the helm and our global team behind him, our songwriters couldn’t be in better hands.”
“India has some of the most talented songwriters in the world, and they are increasingly making their mark globally.”
Guy Moot & Carianne Marshall, Warner Chappell Music
Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG, added: “India is a key part of our global growth strategy, and the talent emerging there is truly world-class. By bringing our publishing and recorded music operations under Jay Mehta’s proven leadership, we’re creating a unified powerhouse that can better serve creators and fans alike. This is the right moment to double down on our investment in India’s vibrant creative economy.”
WMG has aggressively expanded its presence in India in recent years, notably through a 2020 distribution deal with Tips Music, a popular Bollywood music company.
In 2024, it expanded that deal to include commercial and distribution responsibilities for all of Tips Music’s repertoire of more than 30,000 songs.
In 2023, WMG acquired a majority stake in digital media and music company Divo, which has a presence across all four South Indian language music markets. That same year, Warner Music acquired India-based artist management and live events company, E-Positive.
In November, Warner Music India struck an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Indian music label Ultra Music, which has a catalog of more than 14,000 tracks.
In December, Warner Music India partnered with Rthyms.Life, described as a “creator-first music ecosystem” that’s headquartered in India and Dubai.
Music Business Worldwide
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