Music Industry Moves: Ashe Inks With Atlantic; Virgin Announces New Upper Management Structure, Post-Downtown Acquisition
Singer-songwriter Ashe has signed with Atlantic Records and has struck a publishing deal with Doomsday/ Universal Music Publishing Group. She will be on tour this summer supporting Benson Boone. Last year she teamed up with Finneas as the Favors, with the duo releasing their debut album “The Dream”; her most recent solo album was 2024’s “Willson.”
“I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole career for the partnership I’ve found at Atlantic. Joining the label and this team was an effortless decision,” Ashe says. “From our first meeting, I felt uniquely understood. They’re thoughtful, intentional, and genuinely care. The fact that our first meeting involved tacos, cookies, and painting pottery told me they understood me. I’m immensely grateful to begin this next chapter with people I trust so deeply.”
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+ Virgin Music Group, the independent distribution and artist-services wing of Universal Music Group, has today announced its new global and regional leadership team, bringing together senior executives from both Virgin Music Group and Downtown Music, which UMG acquired earlier this year.
VMG is organized into six key regions, with regional leaders reporting to VMG Co-CEO’s JT Myers and Nat Pastor. In their respective markets, VMG’s regional and country leaders have oversight of FUGA and Downtown Artist & Label Services’ local functions, with Downtown executives taking key positions as below.
North America is led by Jacqueline Saturn as President, North America & EVP Global Artist Relations. Sarah Landy is appointed SVP, Business Development, North America, reporting to Saturn.
LATAM is led by Victor González as President, LATAM, US Latin & Spain. Brazil and Portugal are led by Cris Falcao as President. Renato Vanzella is appointed Managing Director, Brazil, reporting to Falcao.
Europe is led by Nick Roden as President, Europe. Liz Northeast is appointed as SVP & General Manager, Europe, reporting to Roden.
Asia, Middle East, Africa are led by Michael Roe as Managing Director, AMEA. Australia and New Zealand are led by Nathan McLay as Managing Director.
In other VMG moves, Tom Allen has been named as Chief Technology Officer; Christiaan Kröner has been named EVP of Global Operations; David Driessen has been named Chief Product Officer; Matt Sawin has been named EVP, Physical & Direct-to-Fan Growth; Gareth Mellor has been named as SVP, Communications & Brand Strategy, while former Downtown Artist & Label Services President Ben Patterson will lead a new premier artist-focused enterprise in collaboration with VMG.
+ Singer-songwriter-actress Meg Donnelly has signed with WME for representation in all areas.
Donnelly is known for her roles in Disney’s musical “Zombies” franchise and the ABC sitcom “American Housewife.” This past year, Donnelly starred as Satine in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical “on Broadway. Her latest EP is titled “Dying Art.”
+ Firebird has launched a music catalog acquisition platform in partnership with global investment firm Ares and global investment and advisory firm the Raine Group, with more than $750 million available.
As part of the launch, Ares funds have also invested directly into Firebird and announced Jeevan Sagoo will be joining Firebird’s Board of Directors. “We believe Firebird’s innovative platform is helping artists build longer lasting, more impactful, and more profitable careers by investing in IP,” said Jeevan Sagoo, Managing Director at Ares.
+ Electric Feel Publishing and Sony Music Publishing have partnered to sign producer London Cyr, who has collaborated with Drake, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Doja Cat, Don Toliver, and more
“I am happy and blessed to be with Electric Feel and Sony Music Publishing. I have looked up to [Electric Feel founder-CEO] Austin Rosen’s approach to the music business for a long time, and I’m excited to work alongside both teams. I believe that together we can build something really special” says Cyr, who is managed by Forge Music Group and represented by the Zia Firm.
+ Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Ace High Music, has signed songwriter-producer-artist Chris Sligh to a worldwide publishing deal. Sligh’s songs have been recorded by Rascal Flatts, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Austin Giorgio, and Mary Kutter, among many others.
“Ace High is the publishing company we as writers dream of – attentive and challenging; cheerleaders and critics when they need to be; friends and champions,” Sligh said. “Years ago, when I came back to music, my first dream publisher was Sony. I’m proud to call Ace High and Sony Music Publishing home!”
+ Amazon Music has hired Hrishikesh Aradhye as its new Vice President of Product and Tech. He will report directly to Ryan Redington, VP of Amazon Music.
Aradhye joins from Google, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Engineering leading YouTube Music and Podcasts. Earlier in his career, Hrishi spent time at Google Research pioneering computer vision and machine learning systems for YouTube and Android.
“The music industry is going through a tectonic shift that will unlock entirely new kinds of customer experiences through AI,” said Aradhye. “From my early days in research to building products used by hundreds of millions of people, I’ve learned that the most meaningful growth happens when you put yourself at the center rather than on the sidelines.”
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Brewers Make Surprise Move, Option Robert Gasser to ACL Brewers
Brewers Make Surprise Move, Option Robert Gasser to ACL Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers made a change on Tuesday and optioned lefty Robert Gasser.Patrick McAvoy|
In this story:
Milwaukee BrewersLeft-handed hurler Robert Gasser has made seven starts for the Milwaukee Brewers this season, but his next one will not be in the majors.
Gasser took the hill for Milwaukee on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Gasser struck out five batters and walked just one batter. He was solid overall and now has a 4.54 ERA in seven starts this season. But the Brewers announced on Tuesday that the lefty is being optioned down to the minors. But he's not heading to Triple-A Nashville right now. Instead, the Brewers are sending him down to the ACL Brewers.
In Gasser's place, the Brewers opted to promote right-handed pitcher Garrett Stallings to the big leagues.
The Brewers Are Sending Robert Gasser Down
Today's transactions pic.twitter.com/W2Lc8InSi5
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 30, 2026
Welcome to the Show, Garrett! #ThisIsMyCrew x @TMobile pic.twitter.com/3E5fSBB4Lz
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 30, 2026
Stallings has not made his big league debut yet. The 28-year-old was a fifth-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels back in 2019. He has been working his way up through the minors ever since. He was traded from the Angels to the Baltimore Orioles back in 2020. Stallings began his professional career in 2021 in the Orioles' system and was a part of the Baltimore organization until he was traded to Milwaukee in 2024.
He has been Triple-A depth for Milwaukee ever since. In 2024, he pitched in 17 games with Triple-A Nashville and had a 4.27 ERA. In 2025, he pitched in 30 games, including 15 starts, and had a 3.99 ERA. So far this season, he has pitched in 16 games, including 12 starts, and has a 3.45 ERA. Now, he's getting his big league opportunity.
When it comes to Gasser, it's not exceptionally shocking that he's going down to the minors. What is surprising is the fact that he's going all the way down to the ACL Brewers. The Brewers will be in Arizona over the weekend to face off against the Diamondbacks. The Brewers and Diamondbacks will kick off a three-game series on Friday that will go through Sunday. Maybe this is just a way to get Gasser over to the area before the Brewers come to town. That's just speculation at the moment, though.
The Brewers have churned through arms this season as injuries have popped up all over the place. Gasser will likely be back in the majors in the not-so-distant future, but for now, he's going all the way down to the Arizona Complex League.
Published 5 minutes ago
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PATRICK MCAVOYPatrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick received an MBA at Brandeis University. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "Milwaukee Brewers On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: [email protected]
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Scratched From Scheduled Pitching Start on Wednesday
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Scratched From Scheduled Pitching Start on Wednesday
This is a surprise.Noah Camras|
In this story:
Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani won't be pitching in Wednesday's series finale against the Athletics, the team announced on Tuesday.
While Ohtani was initially scheduled to start on Wednesday, the team will now use a bullpen game instead, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Ohtani's next pitching start has been pushed back to Friday against the San Diego Padres. That is the second game of a four-game set with the Padres at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
Shohei Ohtani will not start tomorrow against the A’s and will pitch Friday against the Padres.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 30, 2026
Why Isn't Shohei Ohtani Starting on Wednesday vs Athletics?
It's currently unclear why Ohtani isn't making his start on Wednesday, and is instead pitching Friday.
Manager Dave Roberts recently said Ohtani still isn't 100 percent in his recovery from a knee injury. However, that hasn't stopped him from pitching the last couple of weeks.
Ohtani has been on a once-a-week pitching schedule, starting every Wednesday for LA. It remains to be seen how this change shakes up his schedule moving forward.
It's possible that the Dodgers wanted Ohtani to get some extra rest because of his knee. It's also possible the team planned on pushing him back at this point in the year with them playing 13 games in 13 days.
Ohtani has only pitched on less than six days' rest once this season. In order to keep that going, he would have had to be pushed back at some point in this stretch.
Shohei Ohtani Struggling After Dominant Start to Season
Ohtani's last three starts have been significantly less sharp than his first 10 this season.
Through 10 starts in 2026, Ohtani had allowed just five earned runs and sported a 0.74 ERA.
In his last three starts, he's allowed nine earned runs, and has seen his ERA rise to 1.58.
Ohtani has not only been pitching with a blister on his hand, but he's also thrown to Dalton Rushing in his last three starts since Will Smith went on the injured list.
Shohei Ohtani with Will Smith as his catcher this year: 10 G, 5 ER, 0.74 ERA
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 25, 2026
Shohei Ohtani with Dalton Rushing as his catcher this year: 3 G, 9 ER, 4.34 ERA pic.twitter.com/BltB2rBqxF
Ohtani and Rushing weren't on the same page in his start last week, leading to some viral disagreements and more publicity than the team would have wanted.
For what it's worth, Rushing took accountability for his actions after the fact, and vowed to be better moving forward.
“Look, he’s the greatest player to play this game,” Rushing said to the California Post. “And he has every right to, one, call whatever he would like, and two, just attack the way that he wants to on the mound. Because no one on this earth can tell him that he doesn’t know what he’s doing out there.
“So we’re gonna move forward from it. I’ve talked to him a lot. Never in a million years could you ever have a bad thing to say about a guy like that. Never in a million years could you ever feel like a player like that is in the wrong. So it’s kind of up to me, as a young guy, to wear the situation, wear it on my chest, get over it, move past it, and make sure that we allow a guy like that to do what he wants to do.”
Roberts said earlier this week he hadn't yet decided if Rushing would catch Ohtani's next start. That decision has now been pushed back a couple days.
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Published 2 hours ago | Modified 2 hours ago
NOAH CAMRASNoah Camras graduated from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in sports media studies. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and has extensively covered Southern California sports in his career. Noah is the publisher of Dodgers on SI after contributing as a writer and editor over the last three years.
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