Carlos Souffront, president of Rimas Publishing, says music publishers can serve a broader role as independent artists and songwriters navigate rights, deals and international opportunities. In his view, support with career decisions can sit alongside the core work of administering songs and collecting royalties.
Registering works, managing rights and securing payment remain central publishing responsibilities. Souffront argues that creators may also need help assessing collaborations, placements in film or advertising, entry into new markets and the long-term value of a catalog.
Those decisions can be especially consequential early in a songwriter’s or producer’s career, when attention is often focused on creating music. Understanding rights and the terms of a deal can shape opportunities years after a song’s release.
Souffront says working with a publisher can be compatible with independence if creators retain control over their direction. He describes a publisher’s role as providing expertise, relationships, creative support and international reach while working alongside a creator’s existing team.
Cross-border work can add business complexity. A songwriter based in Puerto Rico, for example, might collaborate with a producer in London, write for an artist in Mexico and reach listeners elsewhere. Rimas Publishing manages publishing licenses for clients globally, including for film, television and advertising.
