How to Pitch Your Music for TV and Streaming Shows When Platform Executives Move Roles
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How to Pitch Your Music for TV and Streaming Shows When Platform Executives Move Roles

UUnknown
2026-02-20
10 min read
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Re-engage platform content teams after promotions with exact outreach templates, timing rules, and sync-ready pitch checklists for 2026.

When execs shuffle, your sync pipeline shouldn’t stall — how to re-engage content teams after promotions

Hook: A promotion at a platform like Disney+ can put your song front of mind — or off the list entirely. Executive moves in late 2025 and early 2026 (including Disney+ EMEA's reshuffle under Angela Jain) changed commissioning teams across regions. For songwriters and indie publishers that means a narrow window to reconnect or risk losing momentum. This guide gives exact outreach templates, timing rules, and placement timing tips so you can re-open doors with content teams and music supervisors — without being pushy.

Why promotions matter for sync right now (2026 context)

In late 2025 Disney+ EMEA publicly promoted several commissioning leads while Angela Jain set a new regional strategy focused on longer-term growth. A move like that ripples across show lineups, commissioning priorities, and the people who choose music. At the same time, publishers and service partners (see early 2026 deals like Kobalt expanding global publishing reach) are accelerating cross-border sync opportunities. Put simply: executive promotions reshape opportunity maps and open new windows — but only if you re-engage at the right time and with the right message.

The practical impact on your sync chances

  • New decision-makers: VPs or chiefs bring different taste profiles and preferred collaborators.
  • Rethink of slate strategy: Content chiefs (like Angela Jain) may steer EMEA content toward specific genres, local talent, or format experiments.
  • Staff realignment: Music supervisors and music execs may change shows they touch — creating both gaps and openings.
  • Publisher movement matters: Partnerships (e.g., Kobalt-Madverse) increase cross-territory placements but require stronger local pitching.

High-level re-engagement rules (the executive-move playbook)

  1. Congratulate immediately — don’t pitch. A short, sincere message within 48–72 hours is the right first step.
  2. Wait for a context-aware follow-up. After a promotion, teams are busy. Schedule your pitch outreach when the executive has likely settled: typically 4–8 weeks for mid-level promotions, 8–12+ weeks for a new content chief.
  3. Use relevant hooks. Tie your pitch to the executive’s remit: scripted, unscripted, regional strategy, or a new format they’ve announced.
  4. Lean on insiders. If you work with a publisher, sync agent, or a music supervisor contact, use that relationship to introduce or back your outreach.
  5. Be concise and product-ready. Execs and supervisors need to know rights, clearance speed, and whether the track can be adapted for temp or underscore.

Timing recommendations by role (practical windows)

Different roles mean different calendars. Use the following as your default timing matrix and adapt when you learn specific show cycles.

New Content Chief (e.g., Angela Jain at Disney+ EMEA)

  • Initial message: Immediate congratulations (48–72 hours).
  • Pitch follow-up: 8–12 weeks — at this point strategic priorities and commissioning focus will start to emerge.
  • Best content to offer: sonic palettes that reinforce regional strategies, high-quality masters, and publishing-ready tracks.

VPs of Scripted / Unscripted (e.g., Lee Mason, Sean Doyle)

  • Initial message: Congratulate right away.
  • Pitch follow-up: 4–8 weeks — VPs are closer to show teams and can surface needs faster.
  • Best content to offer: single-track pitches tied to a specific show mood, temp-track-ready versions, and source music that works in scene context.

Music Supervisors & Heads of Music

  • Initial message: Congratulate if they were promoted, then follow-up in 2–6 weeks.
  • Pitch cadence: You can pitch more frequently (every 2–4 weeks) if you add value (new edits, stems, instrumentation options).
  • Best content to offer: stems, clearances, and flexibility to rework for edit needs.

Placement timing: when music actually gets placed in production (quick primer)

Understanding production timelines makes your outreach relevant. In 2026, cross-border productions and co-productions have extended prep windows — but music selection still coalesces during these phases:

  • Development / Commissioning: Execs decide tone and regional talent. Your pitch here is strategic — emphasize how the track supports the show’s identity.
  • Pre-production / Spotting: Music supervisors begin temping and scouting. This is when source music and temp-track pitches can succeed (often 3–6 months before shooting or during editorial).
  • Post-production: Final music choices are locked and clearances negotiated (0–3 months before release).

Actionable rule: If you reach an exec during commissioning, sell concept and vibe. If you reach a supervisor during editing, sell immediate availability, masters, stems, and license speed.

Practical outreach templates — copy, paste, adapt

Below are templates you can use on email, LinkedIn, and for follow-ups. Keep messages short, personalize the first line, and always point to a single track link with a clear password and one-sheet.

1) Congratulatory LinkedIn DM (48–72 hours)

Hi [First Name], congrats on your new role as [New Title] at [Platform]! I’ve followed the [show/X] slate and am excited to see where you take [regional/genre] stories. Quick note — I’m a songwriter/composer who’s placed music on [similar show/platforms]. Would love to share one track aligned to the tone you’ve been championing when you’re ready. Very happy to connect or send a single link. Best, [Your Name] — [One-line credential]

2) Short follow-up email with one-track pitch (4–8 weeks — adapt per role)

Subject: One track for [Show or Tone] — quick listen (30s hook)

Hi [First Name],

Congrats again on the promotion — I’ve been tracking the [EMEA/local slate or show]. I’ve got a song that fits the mood you explored on [reference show or exec quote]. It’s a 2:10 track with a 30s hook that works as source music and can be adapted for underscore.

Listen (private): [link]  // password: [pw]

Quick facts:
- Writers: [Names]
- Publisher: [If applicable]
- PRO: [e.g., PRS/BMI]
- Rights: Available for sync + master license
- Stems: Available within 48 hrs

If useful I can send a short temp edit timed to a scene (30–60s). Thanks for considering — happy to connect at your convenience.

Best, [Your Name] | [Phone] | [Website]
  

3) Follow-up 1 week after pitch (if no reply)

Hi [First Name], I wanted to check that the link worked — one-line reminder: [Track title] (30s hook). If now’s not the right time, I totally understand — can I check back in [timeframe: 6–8 weeks]? Thanks again, [Name]

4) Follow-up at 8–12 weeks (for content chiefs / big-role outreach)

Subject: Re: sync idea for [platform / EMEA slate]

Hi [First Name],

When you have a moment: I wanted to share a short deck (one page) showing how two songs from my catalog map to the tones you signaled in [public comment or show]. If helpful I can coordinate with my publisher for fast clearance.

Link: [one-sheet link]

Appreciate your time — I’ll freeze outreach if now isn’t ideal.

— [Name]
  

5) Template for publisher-backed intro

Hi [First Name], [Publisher rep name] suggested I reach out — they’re cc’d. One track we think fits [show]. Link + clearance note below. Happy to jump on a 10-minute call to discuss usage and split mechanics.

What to include with every pitch (no exceptions)

  • One-streaming link — private SoundCloud or link with password; no large attachments.
  • One-sheet — 1 page with quick credits, publishing split, PRO details, ISRCs, and license availability.
  • Rights status — master and publishing availability, exclusivity windows, and any pre-existing syncs.
  • Stems availability and turnaround time (48–72 hours preferred).
  • Use case suggestion — two one-line ideas: e.g., "Dreamy intro for cold-open" or "upbeat source for montage".

Pitching music supervisors vs content execs — different rules

Music supervisors want actionable files and clearance certainty. Content execs want strategic fit and a sense of long-term sonic direction. Tailor accordingly.

Music supervisor pitch checklist

  • Send stems and alternate edits quickly.
  • Be clear about license speed and fees.
  • Offer turnaround for custom edits or temp tracks.

Content executive pitch checklist

  • Lead with why the track supports the show’s identity.
  • Offer a one-sheet that ties to audience and regional strategy.
  • Mention publisher or label support for fast clearance.

Tracking outreach (simple CRM fields that matter)

Track these five fields so you know when to re-engage after a promotion:

  • Executive name + new title
  • Platform / region (e.g., Disney+ EMEA)
  • Last contact date + message type (congrats, pitch, follow-up)
  • Show(s) associated + production window
  • Outcome (no response, interested, asked for stems, placed)

Quick troubleshooting: common rejection reasons and fixes

  • No reply: Execs are busy. Try a publisher-backed intro or wait the recommended window and then pitch with new material.
  • Asked for exclusivity: Push back realistically — offer short exclusivity (e.g., 6–12 weeks) if needed but avoid long-term exclusives without proper compensation.
  • Needs edit or different arrangement: If you can adapt quickly, confirm delivery timeline and cost up front.

Real-world example: How Disney+ EMEA reshuffle created a pitch window in 2026

When Angela Jain signaled a long-term EMEA strategy, the platform promoted commissioning leads who’d run scripted and unscripted slates. That created two immediate opportunities:

  • Content-level: New leadership opened commissioning conversations about regional authenticity, so songwriters with localized sounds reached execs with one-sheet pitches highlighting regional credentials.
  • Show-level: Newly promoted VPs often re-assigned or re-commissioned formats — quick, targeted pitches to those VPs during the 4–8 week settling window led to two temp usages for indie artists in late 2025/early 2026.

Lesson: watch trade press for promotion announcements, send a rapid congrats, then plan a strategic pitch in the timeframe above — and involve your publisher for legal and clearance confidence.

Advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

  • Cross-border pitching: With publishers expanding global reach (see 2026 partnerships), craft localized one-sheets that explain why a track will resonate with a target territory.
  • Leverage data: Use short streaming or engagement stats to show relevance (e.g., "20k streams in UK in last 6 weeks") but don’t lead with raw numbers — tie stats to audience fit.
  • Offer short exclusives tied to promo windows: Small-term exclusivity for marketing campaigns can be attractive if accompanied by a reasonable fee and clear end date.
  • Prepare show-ready stems: Faster clearance and better supervisor uptake in 2026 comes from being production-ready the minute a supervisor shows interest.

Wrap-up: the 3-step action plan to execute this week

  1. Scan trade press and LinkedIn for platform promotions (set a Google Alert for "[Platform] promotion" and "content chief").
  2. Send a short, personal congratulation within 48–72 hours (use template #1). No pitch — just connection.
  3. Schedule your pitch based on role: 4–8 weeks for VPs, 8–12 weeks for chiefs. Prepare a one-sheet, stems, and a single-track link before you reach back out.

Call to action

If you want a plug-and-play package, download the editable outreach templates and one-sheet checklist from our resource hub or book a 15-minute sync review. We’ll audit your current pitches, pick the best 3 tracks to push based on recent platform moves, and attach a timing calendar tailored to your catalog and territory targets. Re-engage smart — the next promotion could be your best shot at a placement.

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Related Topics

#sync#pitching#music industry
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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.

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2026-02-22T00:26:19.790Z