Association News
Below, you’ll find the latest Association press releases, updates on our upcoming events, introductions to our newest member companies, links to the latest content from Music Biz and our partners, and more.
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May 20, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #253 — The Music Merchandising Experience with Kerstyn Inouye of Top Drawer Merch
Top Drawer Merch began their journey through collaborating with artists to create charity bracelets. Today, they service clients both in and out of the music industry, producing apparel & a variety of other merchandise. Implementing a traditional brand approach, they understand that merch is not just a band’s logo on a t-shirt – it’s a story told through the product that comes back full circle, tying into a much larger ecosystem. Kerstyn Inouye, Marketing Director of Top Drawer Merch joins us this episode to discuss the opportunities superfans bring to merchandising,... Listen
May 15, 2025 – Music Business Association Names 2025 Bizzy Award Winners
Nine award winners crowned during 4th Annual Bizzy Awards Dinner on May 14th May 15th, 2025 — The Music Business Association (Music Biz) announces the winners of this year’s Bizzy Awards, who were honored during the fourth annual Bizzy Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, May 14th during the Music Biz 2025 conference at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. The 2025 Bizzy Awards Dinner was sponsored by Warner Music Group, hosted by artist & Reach Records founder, Lecrae,... Read More
May 15, 2025 – Music Business Association Names 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Three academic institutions will each receive $20,000 to support their financial aid programs May 15th, 2025 — The Music Business Association (Music Biz) announces the list of three academic institutions that will receive financial assistance from its Braylin Campbell Memorial Music Business Scholarship Foundation. Each institution will receive a $20,000 financial aid package from the total of $60,000 the Foundation collected in its latest fundraising period. The 2025 Braylin Campbell Memorial Music Business Scholarship Foundation financial aid recipients are as follows: Berklee College of Music University of Miami Frost School of Music University of North Texas “Congratulations to the schools who will receive funding from the Braylin Campbell Memorial Scholarship Foundation this year,” said Music Biz President,... Read More
May 5, 2025 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — Should Music Be Free For Brands on Social Media? Op-Ed by Larry Mills of Vobile
Should rightsholders really be going after brands for using music commercially online without a license? The answer is absolutely yes. I rage-baited you with the headline to get you fired up for what’s to come in this think piece, because the amount of copyright infringement by brands on social media should make you angry. And if you’re already angry, then it should make you take action. Every time I see a new music lawsuit against a brand,... Read More
April 29, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #252 — How Friends of Noise is Creating Music Business Opportunities for the Youth of Portland
Friends of Noise, an organization supporting the creative youth of Portland, Oregon since 2016, is expanding their educational programming with the opening of their all-ages venue, “The Off Beat.” The nonprofit hosts professional development workshops and produces all-age concerts where teens can perform on-stage, run sound, accept tickets & create posters, with their youth sound engineers being hired to produce local events ranging from block parties to weddings. In this episode, we speak with their Executive Director,... Listen
April 23, 2025 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — Authentic Community Building In Marketing & Artist Management: Interview with Jaclyn O’Connell
The digitization of the music industry and our world as a whole has led to vast changes in the places fans listen to music and engage with their favorite artists. The challenge for our entire industry — particularly for those who directly deal with artists and music marketing — has been to meet fans where they already congregate or create spaces for them to connect with the artist & each other. This month, we spoke to Jaclyn O’Connell on their experience building communities for the artists &... Read More
April 22, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #251 — Music Biz in Atlanta: The Horne Brothers Highlight ATL’s Booming Music Economy
Building on our series of interviews with Atlanta locals, we spoke with Byron, Ryon & Tyson Horne, better known as The Horne Brothers. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, the brothers highlighted Atlanta in their 2024 documentary, “The South Got Something To Say.” Though Hip-Hop’s birthplace is credited as New York, the documentary discusses how a large share of popular hits and collaborations have come from Atlanta. It also covers the city’s status as a music melting pot that has created unique,... Listen
April 15, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #250 — Angry Mob Music’s Marc Caruso Addresses What Indie Publishers Need
Independents make up 40% of the publishing industry, and yet, they struggle to leverage deals. Why? It all comes down to industry fracturing that is preventing the emergence of their collective voice. Angry Mob Music CEO, Marc Caruso touched upon this in his Billboard op-ed, “Why It’s Time for Indie Publishers to Get Angry,” where he highlights how the collaborative environment of the indie publishing space makes rallying together for change an easier and more organic process.... Listen
April 10, 2025 – A Statement From The Music Business Association
As a trade organization formed to serve the needs of the entire global music industry, the Music Business Association (Music Biz) is committed to building community, driving innovation and removing roadblocks. To accomplish this, it is necessary to have open dialogue and unfettered collaboration among music business professionals regardless of their race, their gender, their sexual orientation, any disabilities they may have, their creed, their economic background, or their area of music industry expertise. Our commitment to increasing representation and thereby leveling the playing field for all music industry workers is driven by our global membership,... Read More
April 8, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #249 — Girlilla Marketing’s Jennie Smythe on the Evolution of Digital Marketing & Female Representation
Jennie Smythe, CEO of Girlilla Marketing, not only brings on unique & interesting clients, ranging from local businesses to well-known actors, but has proudly ensured her agency remains female-led throughout the 17 years she has been running it. With her tenure as a woman in both the music and digital marketing industries comes a great deal of lessons imparted onto her – thus, she decided to compile them all into a memoir. In this episode, we dive into Smythe’s journey that led to her memoir,... Listen
