This week, new MBW analysis revealed that catalog music is surging across Spotify‘s Top 200 charts — leaving frontline hits fighting for ever-less space.
Meanwhile, a fresh wave of senior executive departures hit Universal Music Group as its $270M cost-cutting program continued.
Elsewhere, Ben Katovsky was named CEO of Matt Spetzler‘s $200M-backed financing platform, Pipeline.
Also this week, AEG Presents acquired Paris-based concert production and artist development company Auguri Productions, which has worked with Stromae, Angèle, and David Guetta.
Plus: YouTube Music began rolling out labels for songs created primarily using generative AI, drawing on disclosures from music industry partners and its own detection tools.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. Catalog Is Surging On Spotify – Making Frontline Hits An Even Harder Game
Are you noticing fewer new hits ‘sticking’ in the public’s consciousness these days?
This was on my mind last week when I read that Miley Cyrus’ latest album, Bass Persuades, had fallen 156 places on the Billboard 200 – from No.1 to No.157 – in its second week: the biggest-ever drop for a No.1 debut.
There’s no doubt that we still witness generational smash hits from fresh artists. (MBW)
2. Multiple layoffs at Universal Music Group, as $270M cost-cutting program continues
Time moves fast: it’s been two-and-a-half years since Universal Music Group announced a cost-cutting program to slash EUR €250 million (approx. USD $270 million) in annual expenses.
That move came amid a broader wave of layoffs across the music and entertainment industry, and followed the launch of a comparable cost-cutting program at Warner Music Group in 2023.
UMG‘s program, initially announced in February 2024 and due to be concluded next year, was always planned to include “a combination of headcount reduction and other operational efficiencies.” (MBW)
3. Ben Katovsky joins Matt Spetzler's Pipeline as CEO
Ben Katovsky has joined Pipeline as Chief Executive Officer.
Pipeline is the USD $200 million-backed financing platform for the music and creative industries that launched in January through Matt Spetzler‘s investment firm Jamen Capital.
Katovsky will team with Co-Founder and Chairman Matt Spetzler, operating across Pipeline‘s offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles. (MBW)
4. AEG Presents acquires Auguri Productions, which has worked with Stromae, Angèle, and David Guetta
AEG Presents acquires Auguri Productions, which has worked with Stromae, Angèle, and David Guetta
AEG Presents has acquired Auguri Productions, the Paris-based artist development and concert production company co-founded by Charles Bensmaine.
The deal, announced today (October 15), marks “the next step” in AEG Presents‘ growth plans in France, according to the company. (MBW)
5. YouTube Music starts labeling AI-generated songs, using partner disclosures and its own detection tools
YouTube Music has begun rolling out labels for songs created “primarily using generative AI.”
The Google-owned platform announced the rollout in a blog post on Wednesday (October 14).
YouTube gave the example of a track made “using a generative model to create the composition and vocals.” (MBW)
