Warner Chappell Music Launches in India

Photo Credit: Warner Chappell Music India

Warner Chappell Music launches in India, with Jay Mehta appointed to lead the charge in one of the world’s fastest-growing creative economies.

Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group (WMG), has announced its launch in India in a strategic move that marks a transition from its previous sub-publishing model. Now, with a full-scale, direct-to-market presence, WCM offers Indian songwriters expanded access to the company’s global infrastructure.

Jay Mehta, who has served as Managing Director of Warner Music India since its launch in 2020, has been appointed to lead the new division. In this expanded role, Mehta will oversee both recorded music and publishing operations in India and neighboring South Asian markets. WMG says this unified leadership structure will allow the company to provide a “seamless, holistic ecosystem for creators.”

Mehta will report jointly to Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, and Lo Ting-Fai (Lofai), President, Warner Music APAC.

The launch arrives at a pivotal moment for the Indian music economy. According to recent CISAC data, domestic creator collections surged to ₹7 billion ($75 million) in 2024—a 42% year-on-year increase. India now ranks as the world’s 15th largest recorded music market, according to the global trade body IFPI.

The country’s domestic music landscape is diversifying; while Bollywood soundtracks once represented 80% of digital consumption, they now account for less than half, as independent and non-film music takes the spotlight. Domestic repertoire accounts for 89% of all music streaming in the country, at a time when the format is shifting from an advertising-supported basis to a paid subscription model.

To that end, WCM India songwriters will have access to the state-of-the-art studios within the company’s Mumbai headquarters. Crucially, WMG remains the only major music company in India to offer a localized, creative hub of this caliber.

Indian songwriters and catalog partners will also have full access to WCM’s proprietary tech and admin infrastructure, including Global Match, WCM’s AI-driven royalty matching tool. This also includes the Client Portal for real-time visibility into earnings and catalog performance, and Pulse, WCM’s client app developed in partnership with songwriters.

“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,” said Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Recorded Music and Publishing, India and SAARC, WMG. “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.”

“India has some of the most talented songwriters in the world, and they are increasingly making their mark globally,” added Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music. “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 is a key part of our global growth strategy, and the talent emerging there is truly world-class,” concluded Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG. “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.”