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.
May 9, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music UK Partners With Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings
Warner Music UK has struck a new partnership with Brownswood Recordings, founded by DJ and broadcaster, Gilles Peterson. Per the agreement, Warner Music UK will help boost the label’s reach and offer its artists new opportunities for development in addition to support for distribution, marketing and promotion. Brownswood Records will continue to operate as an independent label. “Brownswood Recordings has a proven track record of discovering and developing an eclectic range of artists and music, and in Gilles,... Read More
May 9, 2023 – Music Biz Members Merlin and SoundCloud Strike Fan-Powered Royalties Deal
Independent digital music licensing company, Merlin has partnered with SoundCloud to offer its clients the music streaming service’s Fan Powered Royalties (FPR) platform. Per the partnership, Soundcloud’s FPR offering will allow Merlin labels and distributors to collect royalties on a per-track basis. “The FPR model makes streaming royalties more equitable, helps artists benefit directly from their fans, and opens the door for more meaningful fan to artist connection,” said SoundCloud CEO, Eliah Seton. ”I’m thrilled that Merlin’s extraordinary community of independent labels and distributors,... Read More
May 8, 2023 – Music Biz Member Decca Records Records & Releases Coronation Album Day-And-Date
British record label Decca Records has recorded and released the official Coronation album of King Charles III & Queen Camilla that took place Saturday, May 6th at Westminster Abbey. The album includes all music and spoken word from the global event, as well as an official photograph from the day as the cover art. The complete digital Coronation album is available to stream now. Physical copies of the album will be available globally on May 15th. ... Read More
May 5, 2023 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Germany Launches 2023 Female* Producer Prize
Sony Music Germany has partnered with non-profit artist association, Music Women* Germany to launch the 2023 Female* Producer Prize. The prize will support and promote the careers of up-and-coming female-identifying producers from Germany. Winners of the producers will receive a package of production grants, vouchers for music equipment, and a producer workshop at Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios. The winners will also receive exposure from the Female Producer Register at Sony Music and Neubau Music Management putting them in touch with various labels and artists.... Read More
May 4, 2023 – Music Biz Member OpenPlay Recruits Justin Levenson As Professional Services Product Lead
Asset management platform, OpenPlay has named Justin Levenson the company’s Professional Services Product Lead. In his new role, he will work with OpenPlay’s engineering team, clients and stakeholders to ensure the platform is operating properly, meeting client needs, and designing new features to improve functionality. For over 15 years, Levenson served in both the Licensing and Writer/Publisher Relations departments at SESAC, where he helped engineers build and launch an analytics project that streamlined the company’s licensing process.... Read More
May 3, 2023 – Music Biz Member Downtown Promotes Ben Patterson To President Of Artist & Label Services Division
Downtown has appointed Ben Patterson as President of the company’s Artist & Label Services division. In his new role, Patterson will continue to scale the company’s services to new genres and markets while providing support for marquee artists and labels. With more than 20 years of experience working with artists, Paterson joined Downtown’s COO since 2019 when the company acquired DashGo, the distribution company he founded in 2004. As COO, he grew the company’s business revenues by 250% year-over-year,... Read More
May 1, 2023 – Music Biz Member WMX Launches Visual Podcast Series Exploring Notorious B.I.G’s Final Album
Warner Music’s artist services, media and creative content division, WMX has released a visual podcast series centered around The Notorious B.I.G’s final album, Life After Death. Hosted by radio personality, Angie Martinez, the series, named Iconic Records: Life After Death has launched on The Roku Channel and premiered on Roku’s new WMX Hip-Hop channel. The series features appearances from Hip-Hop artists including Lil Cease, Fat Joe, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Too $hort and more. Viewers can also watch the visual podcast on The Notorious B.I.G’s YouTube Channel and stream the podcast on all major audio podcast platforms now. ... Read More
April 27, 2023 – Music Biz Member Vevo Launches Vevo For Artists Hub
Music video network, Vevo has launched its “Vevo for Artists” hub that will serve as a one-stop-shop for artists and their teams. The initiative will provide in-depth teaching on how to leverage Vevo’s extensive network to multiply growth and maximize exposure. Artists and their team will gain access to the network’s upload process, editorial opportunities, audience viewing habits, sales and research capabilities. Vevo for Artists is now available globally. Click here to read more from Vevo.... Read More
April 27, 2023 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Ups Tricia Arnold To EVP, Global Artist/Label Services & Sales
The Orchard has promoted Tricia Arnold to EVP, Global Artists/Label Services and Sales.In her newly appointed role, she will continue to oversee the company’s global distribution strategy and international sales and label services team. Arnold will report to company President and COO, Colleen Theis. Under Arnold’s direction, The Orchard has achieved global success for high visibility releases across the company’s 45 territories worldwide. She joined The Orchard in 2012 as the European Sales & Distributor Director based in the UK.... Read More
April 26, 2023 – Music Biz Member Concord Promotes Jeff Van Driel To GM of International Operations, John Minch To Advocacy Role
Concord has promoted Jeff Van Driel to General Manager of International Operations; the company also announced that long-time executive and President of International Publishing, John Minch will refocus his efforts in an advocacy role. In Van Driel’s new role, he will relocate from Nashville to London and will be responsible for fulfilling Minch’s music publishing operations duties as well as the European operations of all of Concord’s businesses. He will report to COO, Vic Zaraya. After nearly 25 years at Concord,... Read More