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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July 22, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #259 — Democratizing Artist Marketing: A Conversation with Chuka Chase of SymphonyOS @ Music Biz 2025!
We sat down with Chuka Chase, co-founder of SymphonyOS, during Music Biz 2025 to talk about his company, his experience at the Conference, and the convergence of the music and tech industries. He discusses his professional journey which led him from the tech space to music, as he compares and contrasts how both industries operate. He also covers how the internet has made the music industry less siloed, and how SymphonyOS continues this democratization of knowledge for today’s artists.... Listen
July 15, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #258 — The Impacts Of The Current PRO System On Small Venues
In this episode, we discuss the motivations behind NIVA’s letter to the US Copyright Office in conversation with Tobi Parks of the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF). Tobi disputes the narrative that licensees are just trying to cut costs, explaining how the current PRO system, combined with a lack of education provided to licensees and artists, leaves an untapped pool of money waiting to be fairly distributed. She also dives into the unique issues faced within the US due to having multiple PRO entities,... Listen
July 8, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #257 — A Conversation With Virginie Berger @ Music Biz 2025
We caught up with Virginie Berger, Founder of Don’t Believe the Hype and Advisor at MUSICx; fmr. MatchTune during Music Biz 2025 for a conversation covering the sentiments of fear and concern surrounding the uncharted territory that is AI. She addresses the complications and confusion today’s music market faces, current copyright wins & losses, the fine line AI walks in terms of what is & isn’t forbidden, and MatchTune’s AI detection and audio fingerprinting solutions. Touching on legislation in the US,... Listen
July 7, 2025 – July Is Disability Pride Month — Learn About RAMPD
In recognition of Disability Pride Month this July, Music Biz is highlighting an initiative that is amplifying Disability Culture and inclusion within our industry: RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). If you are looking for a welcoming community offering resources for disabled working music creators and professionals such as career development, innovative partnerships, and educational resources, our friends over at RAMPD have you covered! RAMPD is a consultancy group and networking platform that equips the music,... Read More
July 1, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #256 — Jonathan Azu of Culture Collective Walks Through Recent Projects, the State of the Live Industry & Inclusivity!
This week we speak with Jonathan Azu, founder of Culture Collective, on the state of the live industry, along with some exciting projects & collaborations he’s working on! Jonathan discusses how important it is for executives to diversify themselves in the same way today’s artists do, highlighting the multi-hyphenate approach he has taken for his business by working on tours, TV specials, philanthropic and DEI-related work, and developing artists. Jonathan provides us his expertise, evaluating the consistency of our industry’s DEI initiatives born out of the self-reflection that came from the COVID era,... Listen
June 30, 2025 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — The Confidence to Modernize Sync: Op-Ed by Jennifer Freed & Selina Meere of Trevanna Tracks
A sales department without a CRM. A finance team without accounting software. Publicists without a media database. All unheard of. Look down the list of departments in the entertainment industry and each one has a system built for what it does. Until you get to music. And suddenly, you have stumbled upon a business unit built on spreadsheets — that may even be saved to individual computers — despite the nuances of getting clearances right and the risk a production company,... Read More
June 24, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #255 — The Tech and Music Industry Crossover: A Conversation with OpenPlay’s Edward Ginis @ Music Biz 2025!
Edward Ginis, Founder and CEO of OpenPlay, attended his 15th Music Biz Conference this year. In this episode, he discusses how the Conference continues to evolve with the times, providing true substance and debate over platitudes and hype. In the same vein, Edward touches on just how crucial it is for our industry to nurture entrepreneurs and startups in a mutually beneficial relationship. He discusses how the Conference’s startup programming, including OpenPlay’s “Break The Silos. Build The Future.” Hackathon,... Listen
June 17, 2025 – The Future of What Episode #254 — Hear from Lauryn Menard, Creator of the GOB Sustainable Earplug Brand!
The difficulty common earplugs have conforming to each person’s unique anatomy leads to frequent struggles with actually keeping these devices in our ears – not to mention the poor sound quality they create by blocking out only the top frequencies. Biomaterial professor and industrial designer, Lauryn Menard may very well be revolutionizing the future of earplugs, as she has pioneered a solution that not only resolves these issues but also provides a more sustainable option for our environment.... Listen
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
