Partisan Music Acquires OTM to Strengthen Publishing Division
Partisan Music has acquired Firebird's shares of OTM Music, merging it with Left Music to create an independent publishing operation with staff in London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles. The combined roster includes Sub Focus, Sudan Archives, and Leon Michels. Alex Sheridan will remain CEO of OTM, working alongside Graig Michie and Kate Sweetsur.
The acquisition unites two previously separate entities under one independent umbrella, creating a publishing operation with a global footprint across four major music markets. OTM's existing infrastructure in London and Paris will now be complemented by Left Music's presence in New York and Los Angeles, expanding the combined company's reach for synch opportunities and creative services.
Left Music was originally launched in 2022 with Sony Music Publishing U.K. handling administrative duties, establishing Partisan's initial foothold in publishing. The leadership structure brings together experienced industry figures, with Sheridan's synch expertise complemented by Michie's North American oversight and Sweetsur's A&R direction. The deal follows recent recognition for Partisan's leadership, as White and Putnam were named Billboard's 2026 Indie Power Players executives of the year.
This consolidation may strengthen independent publishing's competitive position against major music conglomerates, potentially offering songwriters more personalized attention while maintaining global reach. Artists and writers on the combined roster could benefit from expanded resources across multiple territories, though the long-term effects on creative autonomy remain to be seen. The move reflects broader industry trends where independent labels increasingly build vertically integrated operations, which may influence how emerging songwriters evaluate their publishing options.