Company Overview

Reservoir Media, Inc. is an independent music company focused primarily on music publishing and recorded music rights management. The company operates within the global music and entertainment industry, generating revenue by owning and administering copyrights and monetizing them across streaming platforms, physical media, synchronization licensing, and performance royalties. Its core customers include digital service providers, film and television studios, advertisers, video game publishers, and artists. Reservoir is positioned as a scaled independent alternative to the major music conglomerates, emphasizing long-term ownership of high-quality intellectual property rather than short-term licensing.

Founded in 2007, Reservoir Media began as a private music publisher built through disciplined acquisitions of catalogs from established and legacy songwriters. The company expanded steadily over the following decade, adding recorded music capabilities and international operations. In July 2021, Reservoir Media became publicly traded following a business combination with a special purpose acquisition company, listing on Nasdaq under the ticker RSVR. Since going public, the company has continued to grow through acquisitions while maintaining a catalog-driven, cash-flow-focused business model.

Business Operations

Reservoir Media operates through two primary business segments: Music Publishing and Recorded Music. The Music Publishing segment represents the majority of revenue and consists of owning and administering songwriting copyrights, earning income from mechanical royalties, performance royalties, synchronization fees, and digital streaming. The Recorded Music segment includes ownership of master recordings and related artist services, generating revenue from streaming, physical sales, and licensing. Revenue is diversified across platforms and usage types, reducing reliance on any single distribution channel.

The company manages a global catalog encompassing tens of thousands of songs and recordings and operates through a network of wholly owned subsidiaries, including Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Chrysalis Records, and Blue Raincoat Music. Reservoir controls proprietary rights management infrastructure and leverages long-term administration agreements with collection societies worldwide. Its operations span both domestic and international markets, with localized teams supporting rights administration, licensing, and artist relations.

Strategic Position & Investments

Reservoir Media’s strategy centers on acquiring enduring music catalogs with proven historical performance and stable cash flow characteristics. Growth initiatives include selective catalog acquisitions, expansion of recorded music activities, and increased exposure to synchronization licensing in film, television, and digital media. The company has completed multiple acquisitions since its public listing, including Chrysalis Records, which expanded its recorded music footprint, and additional songwriter and artist catalogs that strengthen long-term royalty generation.

The company also invests in emerging revenue streams tied to digital consumption trends, including short-form video platforms and global streaming growth. Reservoir maintains a conservative capital allocation philosophy, emphasizing predictable returns and disciplined leverage. Its portfolio of subsidiaries and catalogs is structured to maximize cross-collaboration between publishing and recorded music assets while retaining creative independence for artists and songwriters.

Geographic Footprint

Reservoir Media is headquartered in the United States, with its principal executive offices in New York City. The company maintains a significant international presence across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, reflecting the global nature of music consumption and royalty collection. Key operational hubs include the United Kingdom, which serves as a major center for both publishing and recorded music activities.

Through subsidiaries and local administration partnerships, Reservoir’s catalog is monetized globally, with revenues derived from virtually all major music markets. The company’s international footprint allows it to participate in growth from emerging streaming markets while maintaining strong exposure to established territories such as the United States and Western Europe.

Leadership & Governance

Reservoir Media is led by its founder, who continues to shape the company’s long-term strategic vision centered on intellectual property ownership and disciplined growth. The leadership team combines experience in music publishing, recorded music, finance, and global rights management. Governance emphasizes alignment between management and shareholders, with senior executives holding meaningful equity interests.

Key executives include:

• Golnar Khosrowshahi – Founder, Chief Executive Officer
• Rell Lafargue – President and Chief Operating Officer
• Drew Davis – Chief Financial Officer
• Faith Newman – General Counsel
• Dan Cox – President, Recorded Music

The leadership philosophy focuses on balancing financial rigor with creative stewardship, aiming to preserve the cultural and economic value of music assets over the long term.