Warner Chappell Music Doubles Down on India with Direct Publishing Launch

Warner Chappell Music has established direct operations in India, marking a shift from its previous sub-publishing model to a full-scale, on-the-ground presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.

The move brings the publishing arm of Warner Music Group closer to Indian creators, offering access to its global network, rights management infrastructure and creative resources. Jay Mehta, currently managing director of Warner Music India, has been appointed to lead the new division, overseeing both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets.

He will report to Guy Moot, co-chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, and Lo Ting-Fai, president of Warner Music APAC. The structure is designed to create a more integrated ecosystem for creators, spanning both recordings and compositions.

The launch comes amid rapid growth in India’s music economy, with creator collections rising 42% year-on-year to INR₹7 billion (AU$104 million) in 2024, according to CISAC.

India is now ranked the world’s 15th-largest recorded music market by IFPI. The market is also evolving, with independent and non-film music gaining share as Bollywood’s dominance declines, and streaming shifting toward paid subscription models.

Warner Chappell will provide local songwriters with access to high-tech studios in Mumbai, alongside global tools, including Global Match, its AI-powered royalty-matching system, and real-time data platforms for tracking earnings and performance.

Mehta said the move connects local talent with 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,” he said.

Moot and co-chair Carianne Marshall added the expansion will help build a more effective publishing ecosystem for creators. “With Jay Mehta at the helm and our global team behind him, our songwriters couldn’t be in better hands.”

Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, said India is central to the company’s long-term strategy. “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,” Kyncl said. “This is the right moment to double down on our investment in India’s vibrant creative economy."