News Def Jam CEO Steve Bartels to deliver keynote at Midem Veteran exec to discuss scouting talent, developing new artists and the iconic label’s brand identity
News Sean Parker leads $5m funding round for music GIF developer Emoticast Black Eyed Peas co-founder will.i.am and DJ and producer David Guetta also amongst investors
News Vivendi to host cross-cultural festival in London at Universal Music’s new Kings Cross base Inaugural event, titled Le Crossing, will take place in October and is expected to return annually
News Music Sales acquires French publisher Bleu Blanc Rouge BBR was established by Huguette and Jean Kluger in Paris in 1967
News Lee Brice signs US performance rights deal with SESAC Brice joins the music rights organisation ahead of the release of his fourth studio album later this year on Curb Records
News Global hires Live Nation’s Debbie Ward after aggressive UK festival acquisition run Ward named Commercial Director of a team that will develop strategic campaigns for brands
News Amazon partners with UK events and venues to offer prime experience Online retailer to offer pre sale tickets for gigs, and exclusive lounges at venues and festivals
News Streaming subscription revenue rises 133% in Australia to top $80m The market is up 5.5% in 2016 after generating AUS $352.2m (US $269.7m) in revenue
News Facebook set to challenge YouTube and Spotify with ‘comprehensive music strategy’ Mark Zuckerberg's company is hiring for THREE new senior music licensing roles
Interviews We must show people that music is worth more than just ‘consumption’ TEN Music Group Founder Ola Håkansson discusses breaking artists - including Zara Larsson
News Warner Music bolsters Korea operation with local hip-hop label Brand New Music Korean hip-hop artist and producer Rhymer founded Brand New Music in 2011
News Manny Smith named SVP of A&R at Interscope Records Smith signed Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Rae Sremmurd
News ASCAP relaunches royalty admin services arm Songwize The business offers rightsholders a royalty administration service for digital platforms