Member Updates
Music Biz broadcasts the latest announcements from around our community on our social feeds as our member companies continue to push the industry forward. If you are launching a new product, have been featured in an industry trade publication, or have a major announcement coming soon, we’d love to help spread the word — share it with Henryk Bik, Music Biz’s Communications & Content Manager, at henryk.bik@musicbiz.org.
NEW FOR 2024 Music Biz’s member news will be shared exclusively on our social channels, as the Member Updates section of our website is set to go offline later this year.
July 7, 2023 – Music Biz Member Big Machine Music Promotes Mike Molinar to President
Big Machine Music has appointed Mike Molinar as the publishing company’s newest President, a role which sees him report to Big Machine Label Group Chairman and CEO, Scott Borchetta. Big Machine Music has also promoted Alex Heddle to SVP of Publishing and Grayson Stephens as VP, overseeing royalties and finance. “I’m so proud to announce that Mike Molinar has been appointed President of Big Machine Music,” said Borchetta. “His leadership, vision, artist relations and song sense are unmatched.... Read More
July 6, 2023 – Music Biz Member Concord Launches Label In Partnership With Pulse Music Group
Independent music company, Concord has partnered with Pulse Music Group to launch Pulse Records, a new label that will complement the company’s music publishing and artist management arm. Per the agreement, Concord will provide Pulse Records a global footprint, financial resources, administration and label services, while Pulse Music Group will lead its A&R, creative and marketing services. Scott Cutler, Josh Abraham and Ashley Calhoun of Pulse Music Group will lead Pulse Records. “Scott, Josh, Ashley, and the team at Pulse have been a great collaborator with Concord in publishing some of the highest charting songs in the world,” said Bob Valentine,... Read More
July 5, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Group Acquires Stake In Hungarian Label Magneoton
Warner Music Group has acquired a stake in one of Hungary’s leading record labels, Magneoton. The partnership builds on a longstanding licensing agreement between both parties, adding a new distribution deal and strategic plan to develop a joint local roster. Artists Lotfi Begi and Cecilia Gault’s “Heartbreak” collaboration marked the first release under the new agreement, followed by the release of Hungary’s most streamed artist, Stadiumx’s ‘Heaven” with Sam Martin and Azahria. “This latest phase in our relationship with Magneoton marks a significant return to Hungary by Warner Music,” said Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska,... Read More
July 3, 2023 – Music Biz Member YouTube Unveils Free AI-Powered Language Dubbing
Video streaming platform, Youtube has partnered with dubbing service, Aloud to test a new AI-powered tool that makes dubbing videos in non-English languages easier at no cost. To use the service, creators submit a transcription to the service and can review & edit their text before the translated dub is created. The streaming platform is currently testing the tool with hundreds of creators including popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast. Once the feature is out of its testing stage,... Read More
June 30, 2023 – Music Biz Member UMPG Recruits Annette Gentz As General Manager GSA, Classics & Screen
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has appointed Annette Gentz as the company’s General Manager GSA (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Classics & Screen. Based in Berlin, she will report to Thomas Vidovic, Managing Director of UMPG Germany and Natasha Baldwin, EVP, UMPG Classics & Screen. In addition to her new role, Gentz’s film and stage music agency, Annette Gentz/ Music & Film Arts, will begin operating under UMPG as its own name. The initiative will make UMPG the first major to provide expanded composer services in the film,... Read More
June 29, 2023 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Hires Geoff Taylor For New EVP Of AI Position
Sony Music has recruited former BPI CEO, Geoff Taylor to take on the company’s newly created position of EVP of AI, which appears to be the first AI-specific executive level role introduced by a major label. In his new position, Taylor will oversee the label’s business efforts surrounding artificial intelligence, in addition to managing the global digital business and business and legal affairs division. He will report to Sony Music’s COO, Kevin Kelleher. “In these roles,... Read More
June 28, 2023 – Music Biz Member ASCAP Introduces AI Initiatives To Help Music Creators Protect Their Work
Performance rights organization, ASCAP has introduced a slate of AI initiatives including creator education, startup incubation, and policy development to help music creators navigate a future of AI tech while protecting their work. With the following initiatives, the organization aims to educate and inspire its members, champion music creator rights and help how new technologies are deployed and licensed across the music industry. “ASCAP has been adapting to disruption for more than 100 years,” said Elizabeth Matthews,... Read More
June 28, 2023 – Music Biz Members EMPIRE, Spotify Music, Amazon Music & More Form Streaming Fraud Global Task Force
Music Biz member companies Downtown, TuneCore, DistroKid, UnitedMasters, Symphonic, EMPIRE, Vydia, CD Baby, Spotify and Amazon Music have partnered to form a global task force to address the growing problem of streaming fraud. The objectives of the new initiative, called Music Fights Fraud, are “to detect, prevent, mitigate and enforce anti-fraud measures, thereby moving closer to an industry where fraud has no place.” All participating companies have stated they will “work to ensure that the global music streaming market is fair and that all members actively contribute to solutions intended to balance the equity of its operations”. ... Read More
June 27, 2023 – Music Biz Member Capitol Music Group Revives Tamla Records
Capitol Music Group and Capitol Christian Music Group (Capitol CMG) has relaunched Motown Records’ precursor label, Tamla Records as a mainstream imprint focusing on positive R&B and Hip-Hop music. The partnership marked its revival with the signing of Quality Control’s longtime mix engineer and collaborator, Thomas “Tillie” Mann, who has worked with artists including Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Drake and Migos. Tamla Records and its roster will be supervised by EJ Gaines, SVP, Marketing at Capitol CMG. ... Read More
June 27, 2023 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Renews Talent Project Partnership With MBA Africa
Media distribution company, The Orchard has renewed its partnership with Music Business Academy for Africa for the 2023 edition of The MBA Talent Project, a program which develops upcoming music industry executives in Africa. Per the partnership, The Orchard will provide ten rising African artists and the 2023 Talent Project cohort the opportunity to learn key tenets of the global music business through hands-on experience by writing, producing, recording, marketing and releasing an album that will be distributed by The Orchard. ... Read More
