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.
October 21, 2021 – Music Biz Member Def Jam Names Lena Franklin as VP of Marketing
Def Jam has recruited Lena Franklin as the label’s new VP of Marketing. Franklin’s recent projects include Alessia Cara’s newest album, In the Meantime, and Ludacris’ Netflix children’s show, Karma’s World. Prior to joining the company, Franklin worked in Interscope Records’ marketing department for five years. “Def Jam has a rich history of breaking incredible artists,” said Franklin. I believe marketing is a core pillar of that success story, and I can’t wait to break the next generation of stars.”... Read More
October 19, 2021 – Music Biz Members MRC Data and Soundtrack Your Brand Share Study On Impact of Background Music In Retail, Hospitality Environments
MRC Data and Soundtrack Your Brand have partnered to conduct a study on U.S. consumers’ music listening habits while visiting brick-and-mortar businesses such as grocery stores and fitness centers. As U.S. consumers collectively make 90.9 billion business visits each year, the study reports that background music has the potential to reach 95% of U.S. adults. In addition, 79% of respondents notice music being played in the background to a varying degree. The findings also analyzed the following: Music has the ability to affect behavior like time and money spent at a businessHow listening to music that consumers enjoy will make them more likely to return to a businessThe competitive edge of businesses with an enjoyable atmosphere “The insights uncovered demonstrate the power of background music in engaging consumers,... Read More
October 19, 2021 – Music Biz Member HIFI Acquires The Music Fund To Power Artist Funding
Business and financial management platform, HIFI has acquired AI-powered artist funding startup, The Music Fund, which provides artists with funding solutions based on the performance of their music on digital streaming services. The Music Fund utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to offer artists up-front cash within 24 hours for a portion of their royalty income for a defined period of time. This business model also allows creators to retain 100% of their copyrights and all earnings from future releases.... Read More
October 18, 2021 – Music Biz Member UnitedMasters Teams With Coinbase to Allow Cryptocurrency Payments
Distribution and music services company, UnitedMasters has announced a new partnership with Coinbase, making the cryptocurrency platform’s payroll product and allowing its independent artists to be paid in crypto. Artists also now have access to Coinbase’s full slate of spending, earning, trading and borrowing tools as well. “Working with Coinbase to give independent artists the ability to be paid in crypto is a natural next step for us, using technology to ensure that the economics of the music business favor the creators behind it,”... Read More
October 18, 2021 – NEW MEMBER PROFILE: Session
This week, we welcome Session to the Music Biz Member community! Formed by Swedish music creators Björn Ulvaeus, Max Martin and Niclas Molinder, Session envisions a more transparent and fair music industry for creators all over the world. Through innovative technology and collaboration with industry partners, Session aims to create a trusted reference point, open to everyone who needs to register, credit and pay the right people. The company’s app collects and injects authoritative creator metadata into the music ecosystem,... Read More
October 14, 2021 – Music Biz Member RCA Records Promotes Jamie Abzug to Senior Vice President & Head of Publicity
RCA Records has announced the appointment of Jamie Abzug to the roles of Senior Vice President & Head of Publicity. Abzug started her career with RCA in 2004 as an assistant in the company’s publicity department; most recently, she served as RCA’s VP of Publicity. Abzug has led publicity campaigns in television, print and web for artists including Khalid, Doja Cat, Christina Aguilera, Kesha, Becky G, Kygo, Bleachers, Wolf Alice and WALK THE MOON, among many more.... Read More
October 14, 2021 – Music Biz Member Qobuz Acquires e-onkyo Music To Expand Into the Asian Music Market
Hi-res music streaming & download platform, Qobuz has acquired Japanese music download platform, e-onkyo music, as part of the company’s plan to expand into the Asian music market. Since the launch of Qobuz in several European countries as well as in Australia and New Zealand, the acquisition is a major step in Qobuz’s strategy for international expansion. “Thanks to the acquisition of e-onkyo music, Qobuz has taken a new step in its international development and is successfully pursuing its growth ambitions in the Asian market,” said Qobuz deputy CEO,... Read More
October 14, 2021 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Creates Artist Assistance Program To Promote Wellness Among Signed Talent
Sony Music has launched the ‘Artist Assistance’ wellness program, an extension of the company’s Artist Forward initiative. Through the program, Sony’s artists can access free and confidential counseling services related to mental & emotional wellbeing and family & relationship matters. In addition, many artists signed in the U.S. are also eligible for qualifying health care and retirement services available through Sony Music’s affiliations with artist organizations. Sony Music has also appointed Susan Moultrie as SVP of Artist Initiatives and Business Administration,... Read More
October 14, 2021 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Launches Ad Sales Division for Global Video Network
The Orchard has launched a new ad sales division, giving brands and advertisers access to the distributor’s extensive YouTube portfolio. Additionally, the company has recruited Eric Tjahyadi to lead the new department in the role of VP of Ad Sales. Tjahyadi will report to Mathew Reiffe, The Orchard’s SVP, Global Business & Partner Development. The ad sales division has already generated successful campaigns with brands including Toyota, Universal Pictures, Jack in the Box and Wells Fargo,... Read More
October 13, 2021 – Music Biz Member Capitol Music Group Names Mike Sherwood EVP of Global Commercial Marketing & Strategy
Capitol Music Group has tapped Mike Sherwood to join the company as its EVP of global Commercial Marketing and Strategy. In this new role, he will take the helm of CMG’s commercial and D2C marketing strategies, interact with the company’s digital & physical partners for new releases, and assist Universal Music Enterprises on catalog releases. Sherwood joins Capitol after a long stint with Warner Records, where as SVP of Streaming & Revenue he played a major role in breaking artists including Dua Lipa,... Read More
