80
DANNY STRICK, 61
RICK KRIM, 58
Co-presidents of the United States, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Last Year’s Rank: 84
The Year Of “Despacito”: Strick worked alongside Sony/ATV president of Latin America and U.S. Latin Jorge Mejia to nurture the massive crossover hit, co-written by the publisher’s songwriters Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Erika Ender. (The track tied Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” for the longest run at No. 1 in Hot 100 history: 16 weeks.) “The global success of the song is unprecedented for our company,” says Strick, who recently moved to Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
What’s Next: The duo predicts two key signings will be among the big music stories of 2018: the continued rise of American Teen singer Khalid, whom Krim and his team signed out of the West Coast office, and Russ, whom Strick calls “the poster child for the new way that music is consumed.” The outspoken artist has generated north of 1.8 billion streams without a radio hit.
