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 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.... Read More
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,... Read More
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,... Read More
February 9, 2022 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Publishing Launches Mental Wellness Services
Sony Music Publishing has announced the launch of free, confidential counseling services and wellness resources that will be accessible to its songwriters and composers. Beginning this month, Songwriter Assistance will offer global hotlines with round the clock support, as well as ongoing counseling services for artists experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and family or relationship challenges. Songwriters will also have unlimited access to customized resources for childcare and eldercare, co-parenting, life transitions and budgeting for major life events.... Read More
February 8, 2022 – Music Biz Member MediaRow Announces Rebranding As Fan Engagement-Inspired Digital Marketing Agency
MediaRow has announced that its company will be rebranding its services and will be focusing on fan-centered digital marketing campaigns for the clients they represent. Along with the new initiatives, MediaRow has assigned new leadership roles: current Owner & COO, Steve Gray will also serve as CEO; Kellie McAteer has been appointed as Director of Operations; and Sidney Campbell has been recruited as Creative Director. “As a team at MediaRow, we are excited about this new rebrand and the possibilities that it will present to our clients,” said Gray.... Read More
February 7, 2022 – Music Biz Members Exceleration Music and Kill Rock Stars Announce Acquisition Deal & New Partnership
Independent music venture, Exceleration Music has announced its acquisition of indie label Kill Rock Stars’ catalog. Along with this deal, the companies have formed a new partnership with KRS founder, Slim Moon, who will continue signing & developing new artists for the label’s roster. The Exceleration team will also work with Moon to support the label’s new release program and collaborate on marketing initiatives. “Kill Rock Stars is one of the quintessential indie labels,” said Exceleration Managing Partner,... Read More
February 7, 2022 – NEW MEMBER PROFILE: SongVest
We’d like to welcome SongVest to the Music Biz member community! SongVest provides music financing and investment opportunities for artists, songwriters, producers, investors and fans. Founded by Sean Peace in 2007, the company originally sold royalties as memorabilia to fans. This led to the creation of Royalty Exchange, the first online market to buy and sell music royalties at auction in 2011, which Peace then sold in 2015. SongVest relaunched in 2020, selling songwriter or artist catalogs and advances to investors.... Read More
February 3, 2022 – Music Biz Member Symphonic Distribution To Offer TikTok Royalty Analytics
Independent music distributor, Symphonic Distribution has announced that they will begin offering royalty analytics for TikTok within the company’s existing analytics toolset, becoming the first music distribution company to do so. The tool offers users comprehensive and easy-to-read metrics on how many videos have been created using the artist’s music, a crucial data point when calculating TikTok royalties, as well as how many views, likes, comments and shares the video generated. “How people are consuming and interacting with music is evolving at such a rapid pace,”... Read More
February 3, 2022 – Music Biz Members Universal Music Group, Twitch, and Amazon Music Expand Content Partnership
Twitch and Amazon Music have expanded their agreements with Universal Music Group to provide customers access to various music content across their platforms. Amazon Music subscribers will gain enhanced access to livestreams, high quality and spatial audio, artist merchandise, and exclusive experiences with UMG artists. Twitch will provide commercial opportunities for UMG and its artists that will facilitate direct engagement with fans through artist & label channels, alongside a series of exclusive artist features & experiences specifically produced for the service.... Read More
February 3, 2022 – Music Biz Member Utopia Music Acquires Proper Music Group, Launches Distribution Services
Music-minded financial tech company, Utopia Music has acquired Proper Music Group, the UK-based distributor which services more than 1,000 independent labels and companies. The acquisition will expand Utopia’s capabilities to include physical distribution and sales, manufacturing and digital distribution services. Utopia’s newly launched Distribution Services unit will offer marketing for creatives, digital retail marketing, reporting and budgeting, real-time analytics, and music synchronization. “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of Proper, which will serve the whole industry and digitize operations and processes when it comes to distribution,” said Utopia Music COO,... Read More
