If you’re looking for a jack-of-all-trades in the music industry, look no further than Ryan Tedder. He’s not only a hugely successful recording artist as the leader of OneRepublic but also one of the top songwriter-producers of the past 15 years. His impressive resume includes hits for Beyoncé, U2, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, and many more. But that’s not all – Tedder is also a savvy music publisher, and last year, he launched his own publishing company, Runner, to great success.
Runner has wasted no time in making its mark. Recently, the company had not one, not two, but three songs in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Tate McRae’s “Greedy” and “Exes” and Renee Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Not My Fault” all garnered significant attention. And if that’s not impressive enough, OneRepublic’s Super Bowl ad for T-Mobile, featuring Bradley Cooper, Laura Dern, Common, and others, was also a Runner production.
With a roster of 13 talented writers, Runner is based in Tedder’s West Hollywood studio compound. Tedder envisions this studio as a modern-day hit factory, much like the renowned Motown or the Brill Building. “We have five functional rooms, so there’s always space for everyone to work,” says Tedder. “And we’ll be working on anything from OneRepublic to Lil Nas X to U2. For 20 years, my dream has been to have something like the Brill Building, a culture of cultivation and development.”
So, how does a small upstart company achieve such success? According to Amanda Hill, President of A&R and Co-Chief Creative Officer at Runner, it all comes down to talent. “You can’t really fake it with talent,” she says. “I think everyone we work with is uniquely talented, and their work ethic is really strong. It’s on our end to provide opportunities and get them relationships with artists.”
Runner is known for its tight focus and discipline in both songwriting and pitching. Tedder explains, “Probably seven out of eight sessions I do are with specific artists for a particular project, and maybe one session is a pure pitch session with a curated room of writers.” With a curated approach, they ensure that at least one person in the room has a direct connection to the artist they are targeting.
What sets Runner apart is not just its talent but also the atmosphere it creates. Hill says, “I think songwriters are just looking for something different, and the opportunity to work with Ryan, who’s one of the greatest songwriters today, and myself, who has 20 years of experience in both publishing and records. Between us, there’s almost no person or artist that we can’t reach. And we can do it in a more family atmosphere where there’s more time and space for each person that we work with.”
Runner’s launch in January 2023 was a decade-and-a-half in the making. Tedder had been working as a solo independent publisher while fronting OneRepublic and writing and producing for other artists. The opportunity to partner with Blackstone and their transparent and forthcoming approach convinced Tedder that it was time to start the second phase of his career, focusing on songwriting and production. And with OneRepublic still relevant worldwide and doing arena tours, Tedder can fully embrace his love for songwriting.
Hill highlights Tedder’s rare ability to multitask at a high level. “Ryan’s one of the only people I know who can use their creative brain and business brain at the same time,” she says. Tedder’s curiosity, openness to ideas, and desire to understand the industry truly set him apart.
Now, at Runner, Tedder’s dream job has become a reality. With multiple rooms buzzing with writers and artists, the songs are flowing. His vision of a modern-day hit factory is alive and thriving. Runner’s success is a testament to the passion, talent, and dedication of its team, led by the multi-talented Ryan Tedder.
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