Member Updates
Here you’ll find updates on the latest companies who have joined Music Biz’s membership throughout the year. Music Biz also broadcasts the latest news from our member companies — product/service launches, personnel announcements, new partnership signings, and beyond — on our socials and the homepage of our site.
If you’re a member that has news to share with our community, share it with our Social Media Specialist, Samantha Writt!
February 16, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Recruits Steve Markland As VP For Nashville Office
Utopia Music has appointed Steve Markland as Vice President for the company’s Nashville office. Markland will lead Utopia’s activities in Nashville as the company expands operations internationally. He will report directly to Roberto Neri, COO of Utopia Music. Markland joins Utopia from Downtown Music Publishing, where he served as EVP, Creative. Previously, he held roles at Warner Chappell Music and Windswept Music Publishing. “I’m delighted to join Utopia on its mission towards ‘Fair Pay for Every Play’ and ultimately create new income streams for creators,” said Markland.... Click Here To Read
February 16, 2022 – Music Biz Member Vydia Launches Directory For Service Providers
Vydia has created the Vydia+ Partner Directory, a platform highlighting reputable and vetted third-party vendors offering various industry services. Accessible to all industry professionals, the directory features providers in digital marketing, publicity, booking/touring, recording equipment, merchandising, video/audio production, and more. The creation of the Partner Directory is an effort to solve an ongoing industry gap for independent label owners. According to research conducted by Vydia’s team, 80% of label owners found it difficult to find reputable third-party service providers that would allow them to scale their business and artists.... Click Here To Read
February 15, 2022 – Music Biz Member Exceleration Music Is Hiring — Digital Operations Associate
Exceleration Music is a new global music venture focused on investing in and providing personalized solutions to independent labels and artists. Our goal is to establish a world-class, future-facing entity. We strive to be a record company for the future, based on flexibility, deep values and a passion for independent culture. We are building a team to join us on that journey. You will be joining a fast growing, values-focused organization, led by a team of renowned industry experts working with a broad range of music genres.... Click Here To Read
February 15, 2022 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Group Launches Global DEI Institute
Warner Music Group is creating a Global DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Institute as part of the company’s commitment to cultural and social change. The hub, led by WMG’s Global Head of Diversity, Dr. Maurice A. Stinnett, will offer resources, programs, and workshops as well as a DEI Innovation Lab to employees. The initiative will accelerate strategies to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion internally. “It’s not enough to just acknowledge problematic histories or the resulting discrimination and miseducation that remain in place,”... Click Here To Read
February 15, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Appoints Ulf Zick as Chief Marketing Officer
Utopia Music has recruited Ulf Zick as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, in which he will oversee the overall strategic vision and direction of marketing, positioning, communications, content strategy efforts and execution of the brand direction. He will report directly to Utopia’s CEO, Markku Mäkeläinen. Prior to his appointment, Zick served as International Managing Director at Universal Music Germany, where he led the strategic development and marketing for the music company’s diverse international talent roster and was an important driver of the digital transformation of the business.... Click Here To Read
February 14, 2022 – Music Biz Member Twitch Inks New Partnership With Merlin
Livestream platform, Twitch has entered a new partnership with independent music licensing group, Merlin, in an effort to expand Twitch’s offerings outside of the gaming space and allow Merlin artists to leverage the platform. In addition to offer streamers legal access to the catalogs of Merlin artists, the partnership will create new marketing channels for artists through The Collective, Twitch’s incubator program exclusively for musicians. “Our partnership with Merlin affords their members’ independent artists an on-ramp to our devoted and engaged Twitch community,” said Twitch’s Head of Music,... Click Here To Read
February 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member Catch Point Is Hiring — Investment Associate
Catch Point Rights Partners LP is an alternative investment firm focused on acquiring and financing music royalties. We source, acquire and manage a broad spectrum of rights and royalties on behalf of our investors with the goal of maximizing the value of our portfolio. The Catch Point catalog includes thousands of sound recordings and musical works. Job Title: Investment Associate We are seeking an investment associate who will be part of the team analyzing and modeling acquisition opportunities and the overall portfolio of the firm.... Click Here To Read
February 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member DistroDirect Is Hiring — Business Development and Client Manager, N. A. & Canada
Are you an experienced music industry professional with incredible connections both nationally and internationally? Would you describe yourself as an expert networker and deal-maker? Do you thrive on data-driven businesses and a fast paced environment? Are you a self starter who can work both independently and remotely? Are you excited about the prospect of building a new innovative music business from the ground up? The DistroDirect team is looking for a Business Development and Client Relations Manager to build the DistroDirect brand in North America.... Click Here To Read
February 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member Verifi Media Launches Verifi Rights Data Alliance (VRDA)
Verifi Media has debuted the Verifi Rights Data Alliance (VRDA) initiative, in an effort to streamline information collaboration for music catalogs throughout the digital value chain. Inaugural members of the alliance include fellow Music Biz members, Warner Music Group and FUGA. The alliance facilitates delivery and ongoing maintenance of better music rights data directly to DSPs and rights management entities or societies. In the process, the company’s engine verifies data via normalization, enhancement, and scoring. Verifi also provides ISRC and ISWC matching services,... Click Here To Read
February 10, 2022 – Music Biz Member FUGA Partners With Mascot Label Group To Handle Distribution
FUGA has agreed on a partnership with Mascot Label Group, and will carry out distribution efforts for the independent music company. In addition, FUGA will provide global marketing expertise, including DSP and editorial-focused services such as playlist-targeting and user-generated content. Mascot Label Group represents six labels and more than 6,000 songs in its current catalog. “We are very excited to be working closely with the globally esteemed Mascot Label Group to support their digital goals and provide their talented roster with quality distribution services,” said Anneke Stulp,... Click Here To Read
