LONDON (CelebrityAccess) – Jonathan Tester, head of sync at Bucks Music Group, has launched his own independent publishing company, Groove Bound Songs, in a joint venture with Bucks Music. Groove Bound will benefit from Bucks’ administration, creative A&R, sync services, and expertise.
Tester has been with Bucks since 2002, where he has led a highly successful sync division. Under his leadership, Bucks’ sync team has won several prestigious awards, including Sync Team Independent Publisher at the Music Week Sync Awards in 2015 and 2017, and Sync of the Year in 2014.
Before Bucks, Tester worked as creative licensing director at The Soundlounge, where he negotiated music rights for high-profile campaigns for brands like Adidas, KFC, and Ford. He also serves as a director and board member of the Music Publishers Association.
Iraina Mancini, a singer/songwriter and DJ from London is the first artist signed to Groove Bound. Mancini released her debut album, Undo The Blue, in 2023. Tester expressed excitement about her signing, saying she embodies the “Groove Bound ethos” with her timeless melodies and creative spirit.
On launching Groove Bound, Tester shared, “Groove isn’t meant to point to a particular genre, but stands for music being a joyful and shared experience. We are not just signing songs, but moments and memories… I’m looking for songs that will serve as someone’s soundtrack to life.”
Sarah Liversedge Platz, Director of A&R at Bucks, praised Tester’s instincts and success at Bucks and expressed confidence in the new venture, saying, “His expertise and instincts have served Bucks incredibly well over the years, and we are sure he will be equally successful with Groove Bound Songs.”
Mancini added, “My songwriting is the most precious part of what I do, and I can’t think of a better fit than Jonathan and Bucks to look after my songs. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
