Richard Stumpf, previously the CEO/Founder of Atlas Music Publishing (HYBE US), President of Imagem Music, US (Concord) and SVP at Cherry Lane Music (BMG), is launching a new company called Hawkeye Music Publishing.
According to a press release, the company “serves to both connect relationship-driven catalog clients” to its strategic partner Round Hill Music “as well as work closely with active writers who are creating meaningful works”.
The new company’s advisors include Ann Mincielli, a Grammy-winning engineer who has worked with Alicia Keys, and the founder of She is The Music and co-founder of Jungle Studios.
Also amongst the company’s new advisors are Josh Gruss, Founder and CEO of Round Hill Music, Sean Garrett, producer/songwriter (Usher, Beyonce), Barry Ehrmann, founder/video producer Enliven Entertainment (Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Travis Scott), Brandon Young, Head of Music Affairs, Activision Blizzard, Chris “Coach” Rodriguez, Assistant Program Director and Disc Jockey at 107.1 The Peak (NY), Julio Guiu, President of Clipper’s Music Group in Spain, and Amy Berkholtz, digital media strategist (Variety, various consultant roles in entertainment, media, tech, social impact).
Stumpf’s former company Atlas was founded in 2013 and represented writers including Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Brandi Carlile, Warren Haynes, and Dan the Auotomator.
Songs by writers on Atlas’ roster have been performed by artists such as Andrea Bocelli, John Legend, Pearl Jam and Carrie Underwood.
In February 2019, Atlas announced that it had been acquired by Ithaca Holdings, the investment vehicle of Scooter Braun, founder of SB Projects.
Stumpf stayed on as CEO of Atlas until January 2021. In April 2021 Scooter Braun sold Ithaca Holdings to HYBE for $1 billion.
Stumpf says that upon leaving Atlas, he advised several tech companies such as RightBox and MerchCat, as well as “helped companies looking to acquire and/or administer catalogs” including Pythagoras Music Fund, GoldState Music, and Round Hill Music.
“What was clear to me working alongside tech and catalog companies was that there is an enormous and growing appetite for copyrights – both from a consumer and ownership perspective.”
Richard Stumpf
“What was clear to me working alongside tech and catalog companies was that there is an enormous and growing appetite for copyrights – both from a consumer and ownership perspective,” said Stumpf.
He added: “I wanted to put myself in a position where I could bring relationship driven catalog business to a home where I knew the music would be treated with the utmost respect and at the same time have a partner who could assist in administering Hawkeye, which would be dedicated to active writers.
“I found that strategic partner in Round Hill Music. Josh and his team exemplify what it means to be a proactive partner who puts the music and writers first.”
“Rich is a real music guy with a lot of creative ideas about maximizing value for copyrights and writers.”
Josh Gruss
Added Josh Gruss: “Rich is a real music guy with a lot of creative ideas about maximizing value for copyrights and writers. He’s a respected industry vet that I’m happy to have working alongside Round Hill Music.
“We’ve already been able to welcome Warren Haynes as a Round Hill Music client and are grateful to Rich for the introduction and endorsement.”
