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.
February 13, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Group Takes Eco-Friendly Approach to Vinyl Production
Warner Music Group has issued its second annual Environmental Social Governance report, in which it states that the company will be shifting away from 180g vinyl production. Over the years, WMG has invested in ways to produce records without using PVC to reduce the environmental impact of record manufacturing, as well as the practice of producing “re-vinyl” products from recycled scraps of PVC. After experimenting with less harmful production practices in 2022, WMG released re-vinyls for Coldplay,... Read More
February 13, 2023 – Music Biz Member Universal Partners with TIDAL to Develop Artist-Focused Streaming Payout Model
Universal Music Group has partnered with music streaming platform, TIDAL to further develop alternative streaming payout models that they say, “…might better reward the value provided by artists.” Both companies plan to research how “harnessing fan engagement” can “generate greater commercial value for every type of artist.” The research will also extend to evaluating how different economic models, “could accelerate subscriber growth, deepen retention, and better monetize their fandom to the benefit of artists and the broader music community.” This partnership comes off the heels of a New Year note penned to UMG staff by the company’s Chairman and CEO,... Read More
February 10, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Launches Rhythm City on Roblox
Warner Music Group has launched “a first-of-its-kind music themed social roleplay experience” named Rhythm City on virtual gaming platform, Roblox. Developed in partnership with gaming and content company, Gamefam, WMG says that Rhythm City will expose users to artists and music through social roleplay and provide them with a collection of digital items sold exclusively on Roblox. Players of the game will be able to choose from a variety of roles including music producer, DJ, dancer and more.... Read More
February 9, 2023 – Music Biz Member Concord Recruits Colton McGee As VP of Business and Legal Affairs
Independent music company Concord has appointed Colton McGee as their new VP of Business and Legal Affairs. He will report to and work alongside the company’s EVP of Business and Legal Affairs, Gregg Goldman at the company’s headquarters in Nashville. McGee will work within Concord’s recorded music division and is responsible for supporting Concord Label Group and Craft Recordings through new artist signing, acquisitions and management of historical rights. Prior to joining Concord, he spent 13 years at BBR Music Group in Nashville.... Read More
February 8, 2023 – Music Biz Members SoundCloud & SiriusXM Renew US Advertising Partnership
SoundCloud and SiriusXM have extended their US Advertising partnership until 2024. Initiated in 2018, the agreement enables advertisers and brands to continue purchasing SoundCloud’s US advertising inventory directly from SXM Media. The renewed agreement leverages SXM Media’s direct sales capabilities, targeting data, auto programmatic product, and innovative ad-tech solutions via SiriusXM’s subsidiary, AdsWizz. Combined, SoundCloud and SiriusXM’s US offering reaches more than 150 million unduplicated listeners. “We are excited to extend our SXM Media relationship and continue bringing innovative and creative music-first brand offerings to advertisers,” said Vanessa Baria,... Read More
February 7, 2023 – Music Biz Member Columbia Records Appoints Jenifer Mallory As President
Columbia Records has named Jenifer Mallory as the company’s next President. In her new role, she will continue to oversee marketing, publicity, digital, brand partnerships, licensing and video departments at Columbia. In 2006, Mallory joined Columbia Records and Sony Music where she gradually rose through a series of marketing roles. She later became Senior VP of International at Sony in 2015 before becoming Executive VP/ General Manager of the label in 2018. Mallory will continue to report to Chairman/CEO Ron Perry. ... Read More
February 6, 2023 – Music Biz Member Music Tech Works’ rightsholder.io Study Reveals Data Gaps For Top GRAMMY Award Categories
Music Tech Works has used its music rights search engine, rightsholder.io, to analyze global song registrations for some of this year’s GRAMMY Award categories, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Best Rock Song, Best R&B Song, and Best Rap Song. According to the company’s findings, 10% of the nominated songs were not registered with North America’s rights societies; 20% were not registered in Europe &... Read More
February 3, 2023 – Music Biz Member TuneCore Names Rapper Papoose As Head Of Hip-Hop
Independent music distributor, TuneCore has named rapper Papoose as the company’s Head of Hip-Hop. In his new role, he will report directly to TuneCore’s CEO, Andreea Gleeson, and will lead the company’s Artist Ambassador program for Hip-Hop and Rap. Papoose will scout rising talents and oversee artist education and career advice workshops while acting as a brand advisor for TuneCore’s upcoming initiatives. Both TuneCore and Papoose strive to promote the value of self-releasing artists throughout the music industry,... Read More
February 2, 2023 – Music Biz Member TikTok Launches Talent Manager Portal For Negotiating Brand Deals
Short form video platform, TikTok has launched an alpha test of a new Talent Manager Portal in its Creator Marketplace tool, allowing artist managers to negotiate brand deals directly in the platform. Once a creator authorizes use of the tool, talent managers will be able to oversee and analyze brand opportunities & campaigns presented to their clients, manage deals, negotiate contracts, handle creative feedback, and review metrics regarding a campaign’s performance. The new expansion allows TikTok to appeal to the needs of both smaller creators and those at the “celebrity level.”... Read More
February 1, 2023 – Music Biz Member Apple Music: Over 80% Of Subscribers Listen To Spatial Audio In 2022
Apple Music has reported that more than 80% of its subscribers worldwide used the streaming service’s Spatial Audio feature in 2022. The feature provides users with a surround-sound experience, and monthly plays in the format have grown by over 1,000% since its debut last year. that has amassed over 1,000% in monthly plays. According to Apple, “…with Spatial Audio, Apple Music set a new quality bar for music streaming, giving fans a deeper and more immersive experience than ever before.” Click here to read more from Music Business Worldwide.... Read More
