What is a Pub Admin Deal?

A Publishing Administration Deal (commonly referred to as a Pub Admin Deal) is an agreement where a songwriter or composer partners with a publishing administrator to manage the business side of their music. This includes handling copyrights, registering works with performing rights organizations (PROs), collecting royalties, and ensuring the songwriter gets paid for all uses of their music.

Unlike a traditional publishing deal where the publisher might take ownership of a percentage of the rights, a pub admin deal allows the songwriter to retain full ownership of their music. The administrator typically takes a smaller commission—usually between 10% and 20%—of the revenue they collect on the artist’s behalf.

This type of deal is particularly popular with independent artists and composers who want to maintain control of their work but lack the time, knowledge, or resources to handle the complex administrative tasks involved in managing their music rights. A pub admin deal can cover various types of royalties, including performance royalties, mechanical royalties, and synchronization fees from TV, film, and ads.

In short, a pub admin deal is an ideal option for creators who want to ensure their music is earning its full potential while keeping ownership firmly in their hands. It’s a flexible, artist-friendly arrangement that simplifies the business of music while protecting the artist’s creative rights.