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.

November 13, 2023 – Music Biz Member BMG Speeds Up Mechanical Royalty Payments For Songs Released By Its US Recording Artists

International music company, BMG has launched an initiative to speed up the payment of mechanical royalties to its US-based publishing clients whenever their songs are used by BMG’s US recording artists. Clients can expect their mechanical royalty payments to be paid within the same quarter, instead of the standard industry practice of three to six months down the line. The new initiative will directly benefit BMG songwriters who write for BMG-signed artists, as well as clients who choose to let the company represent both their songs and recordings. ... Read More

November 10, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Classics Promotes Sean Michael Gross to VP of UK & North America

Warner Classics has promoted Sean Michael Gross as the new VP of Warner Classics UK & North America. This expanded role will see him divide his time between London and the US. Prior to joining Warner Classics, Gross oversaw digital development and organizational transformations in senior leadership roles of top classical music agencies in London and New York. He will continue to report to Alain Lanceron, President of Warner Classics & Erato.  “Sean has been a tremendous asset to our global Classics team in the last couple of years,” said Lanceron.... Read More

November 9, 2023 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Promotes Ian Dutt and Chris Manning

Media distribution company, The Orchard has promoted Ian Dutt to President, UK and Chris Manning to Managing Director, UK & Europe. Collectively, Dutt and Manning will be leading global distribution efforts and day-to-day operations,and oversee the company’s team of more than 150 employees. Manning will also manage the regional European strategy, as well as provide direct leadership to The Orchard’s offices in France, Benelux and Scandinavia. Both executives will continue reporting to the company’s President &... Read More

November 8, 2023 – Music Biz Member Pex Launches PEX Search ACR Solution

Copyright technology company, Pex has launched Pex Search, a new automatic content recognition (ACR) solution designed to detect user-generated content (UGC) and recordings with modified audio across UGC platforms and DPSs. The tool allows rightsholders to determine if modified versions of their audio content is generating revenue on music & social platforms without proper licensing, constituting a form of music fraud and leading them to miss out on potential revenue. In tandem with the launch, the company used Pex Search in addition to publicly available streaming data to estimate that more than 1 million modified audio tracks are diverting revenue away from their rightful rightsholders.... Read More

November 8, 2023 – Music Biz Member Reactional Music Partners With Defected Records To Introduce Dance Music To Games

Interactive music tech company, Reactional Music has partnered with Defected Records to bring Dance music from its catalog to video games. Per the new deal, game developers can access licensed tracks from Defected artists including Bob Sinclar, Dennis Ferrer, Kings Of Tomorrow, ChanelPhat and Honey Dijon via Reactional’s music delivery platform & personalization engine. This allows Defected Records and its roster of artists to access the global games market, valued at $188 billion.  “Right from the first conversation,... Read More

November 7, 2023 – Music Biz Member Kobalt Partners With Morgan Stanley Tactical Value To Invest Over $700 Million In Music Copyrights

Independent rights management company, Kobalt has struck a new partnership with Morgan Stanley Tactical Value to manage the company’s investment of over $700 million to acquire music copyrights over the span of a few years. Per the new venture, Kobalt will oversee the creative, synch, licensing, administration, and investment services for the copyrights.  “Kobalt is a pioneer in investing in music, increasing the value of copyrights, and creating music as a viable asset class,” said Laurent Hubert,... Read More

November 6, 2023 – Music Biz Member Audius Debuts Direct Artist Payments Feature

Blockchain-based streaming platform, Audius has added a direct payments feature to the beta version of its music marketplace, which will allow users to pay their favorite artists for content they list on the marketplace. Over 40 acts including RAC, Matt Ox, and Cheat Codes will participate in the beta program, allowing artists to set prices for fans to stream unreleased music or download stems. Fans will also be able to pay artists more than the listed price if they’re excited about an artist’s offerings.... Read More

November 3, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Launches New Creative Hub In Amsterdam

Warner Music Group has opened The Amsterdam Music Harbour, a new creative hub designed to house three WMG-owned units under one roof. The hub will include Warner Music Benelux, Warner Chappell Music Benelux and Spinnin’ Records.  “We can’t wait to welcome our artists, songwriters and WMG teams from all around the world to collaborate with us at the Amsterdam Music Harbour so we can do what we do best – enable our artists and songwriters to create amazing new music,” said Niels Walboomers,... Read More

November 2, 2023 – Music Biz Member TikTok Debuts First-Ever ‘TikTok In The Mix’ Live Concert

Short-form video streaming platform, TikTok has announced its first-ever TikTok In The Mix live music event, which will be headlined by Cardi B, Niall Horan, Anitta and Charlie Puth. The concert will also feature performances from artists including Sam Barber, Isabel LaRosa, Kaliii and LU KALA, who all have participated in TikTok’s Elevate emerging artist program. The live event and global broadcast via TikTok Live will take place Sunday, December 10th at Sloan Park in Mesa,... Read More

November 1, 2023 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Publishing Names Robin Nastri SVP, Global Business Office

Sony Music Publishing has appointed Robin Nastri to the company’s newly created role of SVP, Global Business Office. In her new role, she will oversee Sony’s “global transformation initiatives to streamline operations, enhance technology and optimize processes.” Prior to joining Sony, Nastri spent more than 25 years in strategy consulting for Accenture, where she led many global initiatives with a number of Fortune 100 companies. Nastri will report directly to Sony Music Publishing’s CFO, Tom Kelly. ... Read More