Music veteran Richard Stumpf has launched Hawkeye Music Publishing, an independent banner that aims to help tunesmiths navigate the maze of copyright concerns among an ever-increasing number of digital platforms.
Stumpf was previously founder and CEO of Atlas Music Publishing, which was involved in the careers of such notables as Van Halen, Brandi Carlile, Counting Crows, Dan the Automator, Sean Garrett, Ashley Gorley and the estate of Al Jackson Jr., the famed Stax songwriter and session player. The company, founded in 2013, was acquired in 2019 by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings.
Stumpf has consulted with a handful of tech firms since he exited Atlas in early 2021. That experience helped him shape the strategic focus for Hawkeye. His advisory group in the launch of the banner includes rapper/producer/songwriter Garrett, Grammy-winning engineer Ann Mincielli and Round Hill Music founder-CEO Josh Gruss.
“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,” Stumpf said. “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.”
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Stumpf left Atlas in early 2021 amid a report that he engaged in workplace misconduct. A representative for Ithaca would only confirm that Atlas was acquired in 2019 and that Stumpf was asked to remain CEO through January 2021. Stumpf would only say of his departure from Atlas: “Any and all matters between myself and Ithaca are resolved and I was not involved in any type of misconduct.”
Other members of Hawkeye’s launch advisory group include Barry Ehrmann, founder/video producer Enliven Entertainment, Brandon Young, head of music affairs for video game giant Activision Blizzard, and digital media strategist Amy Berkholtz.
“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,” said Gruss.
