John P. Luneau, Head of Business Affairs of Primary Wave Music, has taken on an additional role as General Counsel of Primary Wave Music. John joined Primary Wave as its Head of Business Affairs in 2011, bringing to the table over 25 years of significant, diverse experience in entertainment and copyright law. In addition to filling his new role as Primary Wave Music’s General Counsel, John will continue his responsibilities as Head of Business Affairs.
“Primary Wave is poised for incredible growth as a music publisher right now, so it’s a very exciting time to be here. I look forward to helping the executive team grow the company through the acquisition of iconic catalogs and signing of new songwriter deals.”
While at Primary Wave, John has been instrumental in negotiating, drafting and helping close key publishing and management deals with major artists and writers such as CeeLo Green, Melissa Etheridge, Kiiara, Mac Davis, Steven Curtis Chapman, Eric Benet, Sir the Baptist, Joe Thomas, and key strategic alliance and administration deals with BMG, Rough Trade, Kobalt and other major publishers. John also handles legal work for Primary Wave’s major catalog acquisitions, including those of Steve Cropper and Glenn Gould, and is currently involved in the company’s ongoing negotiations for other important catalogs.
Before joining Primary Wave, John was Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs at Razor & Tie; Head of Business Affairs/Music at Chris Blackwell’s Palm Entertainment; Director of Business Affairs at Rykodisc; General Counsel of the Pennsylvania Ballet; proprietor of his own entertainment law firm; and intellectual property and litigation associate at a major international law firm. Over the years John has drafted and negotiated countless music publishing, recording, music & film distribution, artist management, joint venture, live engagement, branding, new media and other entertainment deals on behalf of his clients. He is an active member of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A., for which he served as an officer and trustee and as chairman of both its New York and Philadelphia chapters, and is a former Vice President of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.