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 18, 2022 – Music Biz Members Spotify And Roblox Partner To Launch “Spotify Island”
Earlier this month, music streaming service, Spotify launched a new metaverse destination called Spotify Island within the Roblox ecosystem. The virtual area will allow for music fans and artists alike to play interactive quests, unlock exclusive content and purchase merch in themed islands draped in Spotify’s iconic green, along with shades of orange and purple. The space will expand and evolve over time to create experiences catering to music fandoms, with the themed K-Park island celebrating Kpop culture and artists such as Sunmi and Stray Kids.... Read More
May 18, 2022 – Music Biz Member UnitedMasters Launches Beat Exchange Platform For Beat Makers
Independent music company, UnitedMasters has announced the launch of its new buying and selling platform for beat makers, Beat Exchange. The platform is set to, “simplify browsing for beats when looking for specific sounds (genre, mood, instrument, etc.) and drive discovery through editorial playlists that highlight both emerging and established producers,” according to the company. Beat Exchange will be available on the UnitedMasters iPhone and Android apps, as well as on the UM desktop app. “Producers determine the sounds of our era,... Read More
May 17, 2022 – Music Biz Member DistroDirect Expands Global Footprint With New North America, Latin America Offices
Australian white-label distribution platform, DistroDirect has announced they are opening two new headquarters in the Americas, along with two key hires to head up the new offices. These updates come after the company’s global launch in August 2021, which included 250+ “hyper-local micro-distributors” launched in more than 40 International markets. Dalmar “Biz Dev” James Jr. will serve as DistroDirect’s VP of North American Business Development and Partnerships. He has more than 25 years of experience in digital marketing,... Read More
May 16, 2022 – Music Biz Member Linkfire Is Hiring — Growth Marketing Manager
Linkfire is looking for a Growth Marketing Manager who’s experienced in growing awareness and driving sales for tech organizations. If you have a great understanding of digital marketing, and have a love for data and delighting customers, this one’s for you. The position Your mission will be to grow awareness about two of Linkfire’s newest products – Linkfire for Partners, and Linkfire’s Advertising Network. You will be driving Linkfire’s Traffic Partner product adoption, and customer advocacy initiatives –... Read More
May 16, 2022 – Music Biz Member SoundCloud Acquires AI Music Company, Musiio
Next-generation music company, SoundCloud has announced its acquisition of AI music curation company, Musiio. The company’s AI algorithm analyzes music to identify similarities between tracks and curate them into playlists based on shared characteristics, helping music fans discover new music that is in line with songs they already enjoy. More details on the integration of Musiio’s offerings into the SoundCloud ecosystem are forthcoming. “SoundCloud hosts more music from more creators than any platform on the planet.... Read More
May 5, 2022 – Music Biz Member Hit Songs Deconstructed Partners With MyPart To Launch ChartCipher Analytics Platform
New platform to be showcased at Music Biz 2022 panel next week ChartCipher is a new AI-driven analytics platform created in partnership by Hit Songs Deconstructed and MyPart. The duo has combined their expertise in hit song/trend reporting and AI song search/analysis, respectively, to develop a platform that delivers real-time insights and metrics on what compositional, lyrical and sonic components goes into crafting today’s most popular songs. The platform will include analytics for 11 of Billboard’s most popular charts at launch: the Billboard Hot 100,... Read More
May 3, 2022 – SoundCloud Doubles Earned Royalties For Artists During One-Day “Fan-Powered Friday” Event
Last week, next-generation music company, SoundCloud launched “Fan-Powered Friday”, a one day event that took place on Sunday, April 29th. The company promised to double the revenue its artists earned streaming music on its platform, encouraging fans to play their favorite artists’ music. This event served as a celebration after the success of SoundCloud’s fan-powered royalties method, first implemented in 2021. Insights shared from the first year of SoundCloud’s new royalties system showed that independent artists earned 60% more money through fan-powered royalties than through the traditional pro-rata streaming model.... Read More
May 2, 2022 – Jaxsta Names Beth Appleton As Next CEO
Beth Appleton, formerly Jaxsta’s Chief Marketing Officer, has been promoted to the role of CEO. In her new position, she will focus on the marketing, management and operations for the company. With an extensive background in the industry, Appleton has held positions such as General Manager and Senior Vice President Marketing Australasia at Warner Music Australia and has been recognized for her hard work by Billboard’s Women In Music. “There comes a time of evolution,” says Appleton.... Read More
May 2, 2022 – Sony Music Publishing Promotes Nick Bral to Vice President, Creative
Sony Music Publishing has promoted Nick Bral to the role of Vice President, Creative. In this capacity, he will focus on managing songwriter relations, continuing to advance songwriter discovery, and develop efforts to foster creative collaboration on behalf of the company’s U.S. roster. He will report directly to SVP, Creative, Jennifer Knoepfle. Bral joined the company in 2013 as an A&R assistant, and through his time there has worked with artists including Wallows, Gus Dapperton and Lindgren. ... Read More
April 28, 2022 – Music Biz Member Interscope Records Promotes Tim Glover to Executive Vice President of A&R
Interscope Records has named Tim Glover as the company’s new Executive Vice President of A&R. Glover started his career in the music industry as a college rep at Universal Music Group and a field marketing rep at Universal Music Group Distribution. Since joining Interscope Records in 2014, Glover has worked with a roster of more than 20 artists including Summer Walker, J. Cole and JID, among others. “Tim’s dedication to the artists and partners he works with,... Read More
