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.
March 14, 2022 – Music Biz Member TikTok Creates In-House Music Distribution Platform
TikTok has launched SoundOn, the platform’s all-in-one service for music marketing and distribution designed to empower new and undiscovered artists. Artists can directly upload their music to TikTok and onto DSPs including Spotify and Apple Music, as well as onto other content sharing platforms such as Instagram. SoundOn will pay out 100% royalties to music creators in the first year and 90% after that, while providing a range of promotional tools and support. Released in beta mode in September,... Read More
March 14, 2022 – Music Biz Member Symphonic Distribution Launches Women Empowered Mentorship Program
Symphonic Distribution has announced Women Empowered, a new mentorship program aimed at furthering the progress of women throughout the music industry. Mentees will be connected with industry professionals who will offer valuable guidance and advice, helping to open doors in an industry where women have been underrepresented in leadership roles. Mentees will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the music industry’s business practices and culture, focus their efforts, and hone their skills with some of the best in the business.... Read More
March 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member The Recording Academy Releases Findings From The Women In The Mix Study
In recognition of International Women’s Day 2022, The Recording Academy released the findings from their Women In The Mix study launched in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and Berklee College of Music Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship (BerkleeICE). More than 1,000 industry professionals provided insight on employment experiences, career challenges, job satisfaction, among other topics. The study is designed to influence advocates, allies and leaders in music to work toward a more inclusive and equitable industry,... Read More
March 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member Jaxsta Utilizes Database To Support Fix The Mix Initiative
Jaxsta’s music credits database is supporting Fix The Mix, an initiative committed to finding and amplifying opportunities for women and non-binary music industry professionals. To contribute to the cause, Jaxsta has pledged to prioritize the inclusion of gender pronoun identifiers in their creative professional profiles. Jaxsta’s database houses more than 220 million credits for 13 million creatives including producers, songwriters, engineers, artists & musicians. All data is sourced from more than 280 official data partners and Jaxsta serves the official source of credits for the GRAMMYs’... Read More
March 7, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Names Christine Pepe VP, Business and Legal Affairs
Music-minded financial tech company, Utopia Music has appointed Christine Pepe as its VP of Business and Legal Affairs, a role which sees her based in the New York Metro area and reporting to company Chief Legal Officer, Paul Stuart. She joins Utopia after stints with NBCUniversal, TIDAL and Twitter, which saw her focus on negotiations for streaming integration partnerships and global music licensing, legal counsel for product launches in the subscription space, and digital & tech transactions.... Read More
March 6, 2022 – Music Biz Member Disney Music Group Taps GREATERTHAN For Global A&R Research & Scouting
Disney Music Group has appointed music tech startup, GREATERTHAN to assist its A&R research and scouting efforts. GREATERTHAN’s efforts will provide for Hollywood Records, Disney’s flagship label, as well as for its publishing division and multiple joint venture labels & platforms. Disney’s SVP of A&R and Head of Creative, Mio Vukovic, and GREATERTHAN’s Founder, Paula Moore, have previously worked together as VPs of A&R for Warner Bros. “Mio and I are so excited to work together again,... Read More
March 6, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Recruits Alexandra Sufit, Partners With Women In Music To Expand DEI Efforts
Utopia Music has announced initiatives to support diversity, equity & inclusion efforts, including the recruitment of Alexandra Sufit, who will serve as the company’s Director, Public Affairs and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DI&E). In this role, she will be responsible for leading all internal and external DI&E efforts. She will report directly to Utopia Music Vice President and Head of Policy, Yvan Boudillet. “I’m delighted to be joining Utopia, to help it reach its goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive company and drive change within the Music Industry,” said Sufit.... Read More
March 2, 2022 – Music Biz Member TuneCore Promotes Ace Elijah Burgess to Senior Director of Engineering
Independent music distributor, TuneCore has promoted Ace Elijah Burgess to the role of Sr. Director of Engineering. He will continue to supervise the team of software engineers that develops TuneCore’s digital products and will focus on new innovative technology solutions to provide for the unmet and evolving needs of today’s independent artists. “I’ve had an amazing journey here at TuneCore with the best team, and challenging tasks that make my work exciting,” said Burgess. “From royalty payments to distribution services,... Read More
March 1, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Acquires UK-Based Absolute LabelServices
Utopia Music has announced its acquisition of Absolute Label Services, a distribution and services provider to independent artists and record labels based in the UK. Absolute’s co-owners and joint Managing Directors, Henry Semmence and Simon Wills now join Utopia as their VPs of Distribution Services, and will work alongside the company’s VP of Physical Distribution, Drew Hill. All three will report directly to Roberto Neri, Utopia’s Chief Operating Officer. The move follows Utopia’s acquisition of Proper Music Group as the fintech company expands its distribution services.... Read More
March 1, 2022 – Music Biz Member Universal Music Group Launches Def Jam India
Universal Music Group has launched Def Jam India, focused on developing Hip-Hop and Rap talent within India and the South Asian region. The new label division follows Def Jam’s expansion into Africa and Vietnam in 2020. Def Jam India’s first flagship artist signings include rappers Dino James and Fotty Seven. “The launch of Def Jam India could not come at a better time for music in India,” said Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director and CEO, Universal Music India &... Read More
