Syn Welcomes Derek McNeill as Head of US Music Licensing

Syn has expanded its global team with Derek McNeill as head of US music licensing. Derek is a Los Angeles-based entertainment professional with almost two decades of experience in licensing, client relations and digital content management. He has negotiated and managed agreements with every major record label, as well as a variety of indie labels, music publishers and artists. In addition to his music work, Derek has brokered deals with entertainment studios, tech companies and consumer brands. 

As Syn co-founder and creative director Nick Wood explains: “We welcome Derek’s vast experience, knowledge and passion for music to Syn Songs. Like the rest of our global team, Derek is a music “Otaku,” an obsessive record collector with an ear for detail, quality and style that enhances everything we stand for and truly appreciate.”

Over the course of his career, Derek has music supervised and curated music for a variety of creative ventures, including two recent feature documentaries and a 2021 Webby Award nominated Amazon Alexa project. Clients he has provided music solutions for include American Idol, AT&T, Coca-Cola, LACMA, Rock The Vote, Tony Hawk, Univision and more. Derek’s role with Syn expands the company’s Los Angeles presence to deepen new licensing opportunities for film, television, advertising and gaming. 

“I’m excited to be working with Syn because the team's core commitment is to provide the most authentic and innovative music solutions for every project they are involved with,” notes McNeill. “Syn is able to draw upon the diverse perspectives and capabilities of an international team working in a collaborative manner. As a result, they have built a reputation amongst global brands as a one-stop provider of highly bespoke music.”

In addition to his licensing and music supervision experience, Derek is a founding member and resident DJ at the pioneering Internet radio station, dublab.com, where he hosts a monthly program exploring a variety of genres.

Syn is a music studio and agency founded by Nick Wood and Simon and Yasmin Le Bon. The global company creates sonic branding, original music, and sound design for advertising, entertainment and networks, along with location-based sonic environments and live curated music for hotels.