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.
June 11, 2021 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Promotes Melissa Thomas To EVP, International Marketing For U.S. Repertoire
Sony Music has announced that Melissa Thomas has been named the company’s EVP, International Marketing for U.S. Repertoire. In her time with Sony, Thomas has led global marketing campaigns for U.S. signed artists such as Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello, Harry Styles, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and AC/DC, as well as for breakout artists including The Kid Laroi, Rosalía and Giveon. “Melissa knows how to harness the global power of our company to help break our U.S.... Read More
June 11, 2021 – Music Biz Members TuneCore and Qobuz Announce New Partnership
Digital music distribution company TuneCore has partnered with high-resolution audio platform Qobuz to allow TuneCore artists to distribute their music in hi-res format to Qobuz. While TuneCore has distributed independent artists’ music to popular platforms all over the world, this partnership will target music fans who have a distinct ear for lossless, high-quality audio. In addition to offering hi-res music via streaming and its download store, Qobuz also delivers its users quality editorial content, along with the option to choose which audio file format they want to use.... Read More
June 10, 2021 – Music Biz Member PlayTreks Announces Blockchain-Based Services and New TREKS Cryptocurrency
This week, PlayTreks has announced the addition of a blockchain-based music distribution service for all music DSPs and decentralized marketplace, in service of adding greater levels of transparency to the company’s machine learning/AI—driven marketing SaaS platform. Integrating blockchain technology enables easier tracking of contributions to musical works so all participating stakeholders are compensated for their work, and artists using the PlayTreks platform will receive equitable royalty payments as a result. “We built PlayTreks to put artists in control over distribution;... Read More
June 10, 2021 – Music Biz Member LANDR Audio Announces Acquisition of Synchro Arts
AI mastering service LANDR Audio has announced that it will acquire Synchro Arts, makers of the popular VocAlign and Revoice Pro audio softwares. This move allows LANDR to offer these two invaluable vocal processing products as part of its robust slate of music production and distribution offerings, further empowering artists to create, collaborate on, and promote new musical works. “This deal is a natural fit,” said LANDR CEO, Pascal Pilon. “Vocal processing is a key piece of the music creation process,... Read More
June 9, 2021 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Names Naledi Nyahuma Seck VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Last week, The Orchard announced that Naledi Nyahuma Seck will join the company as its Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In her newly appointed role, Nyahuma Seck will continue the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, as well as establish talent pipelines and employee development programs. “As we record this chapter in history, it is imperative that we show compassion while we educate and elevate our communities, and take collective action through our efforts in diversity,... Read More
June 7, 2021 – Music Biz Member Symphonic Distribution Expands to Africa and Mexico
After successfully establishing operations in Brazil in early 2021, Symphonic Distribution have announced that it will expand into the African and Mexican music markets. Tamsanqa Ngxeketo will lead Symphonic’s team out of South Africa, which will work with key partners and aggregators in the region focused on Afrobeats, Gospel, Gqom and other popular genres to expand the company’s reach. Ariel Etbul — a more than 18-year industry veteran who helped pioneer digital music distribution in Mexico — will lead the organization’s efforts in that region.... Read More
June 3, 2021 – Music Biz Member Clio Music to Honor Brandi Carlile and NIVA During 2021 Awards Program
The Clio Awards will honor six-time GRAMMY Award winning artist and activist, Brandi Carlile and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) with Clio Music Impact Awards during the organization’s 2021 Clio Music Awards program, taking place virtually June 10 via Clios.com. Carlile will be honored for her efforts to amplify the voices of underrepresented people in the music industry and beyond, and for working to bridge the gender and age gaps in Country music.... Read More
June 3, 2021 – Music Biz Member The Orchard Enters Deal With Nas’ Mass Appeal Records
Independent music distributor The Orchard has signed a new deal with Mass Appeal Records, a label co-founded by GRAMMY-winning rapper Nas. The partnership will allow artists to sign directly with Mass Appeal and receive access to The Orchard’s full-service marketing, sync licensing, data analysis, advertising, rights management and radio services, to name a few. Nas himself will also release music through this partnership. “As a company and strategic partner, The Orchard will continue to empower and reinforce their creative vision and help all artists under the partnership [to] expand their global reach,” said The Orchard CEO,... Read More
June 2, 2021 – Music Biz Member Vevo Launches Vevo Rewind Advertising Product
Music video network Vevo has launched a new contextual ad targeting product called Vevo Rewind. Powered by the company’s data-backed content recommendations, Vevo Rewind allows brands to place their campaign alongside the top Vevo music videos of a particular decade from the 1970s through the 2010s, as well as targeting a specific genre or country. The product is now available within the Vevo network — including on-demand and linear TV channels — in Australia, Canada, Mexico,... Read More
June 2, 2021 – Music Biz Member RCA Promotes Lori Giamela and Kevin Valentini to SVPs of Promotion
RCA has announced that Lori Giamela and Kevin Valentini have been promoted to SVPs of Promotion, with Giamela based in LA and Valentini based in New York. The duo will also continue to lead the label’s Rhythm promotion, a role which they have held for the past five years. In that time, RCA received multiple #1 records on the Billboard charts from artists including Miguel, Khalid and G-Eazy. The duo also helped launch four #1 records in 2020.... Read More
