News Spotify integrates with UK’s Skiddle to connect streaming listeners with live events The partnership allows Spotify users in the UK to discover concerts, club nights and festivals directly on the app
News Epidemic Sound’s revenues jumped 29% to $181.6m in 2024, as EBITDA soared 150% YoY to $13.9m The company expanded its audio library with the acquisition of sound effects company Soundly
News For Google and OpenAI, the UK’s proposed loosening of copyright laws for AI isn’t enough – they want to be ‘free’ of copyright “We believe training on the open web must be free,” Google said in a submission to a parliamentary committee
News German collection society GEMA distributed $1.22bn to rightsholders in 2024, up 4.7% YoY Performance rights collections have seen a sharp spike amid tepid growth from online music
News Marshall Nolan elevated to EVP, Head of Commercial Strategy at Island Records The appointment follows Nolan’s contributions to campaigns for Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter
News HYBE America strikes distribution deal with So So Def Recordings, founded by Scooter Braun’s mentor Jermaine Dupri The deal gives So So Def access to HYBE America’s global distribution network and marketing resources
News Sabrina Carpenter named ‘icon’ for Fortnite Festival Season 8 Carpenter joins other artists who have been featured as “icons” on Fortnite including The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Metallica
News Bill Ackman, who wants to move UMG’s financial HQ to the US, calls for ‘time out’ on Trump’s tariff war Ackman, a Trump supporter, says the tariff war could destroy international confidence in the US as a trading partner and investment destination.
News Sarah Gabrielli promoted to Head of A&R at Sony Music Publishing UK Gabrielli first joined the company in 2016 as an A&R Assistant
News David Massey retires from Arista Records, will step down in June The news comes seven years after Massey re-launched the legendary record label at Sony
Analysis On… OpenAI, Bain Capital, Daniel Ek, and reasons to be cheerful Tim Ingham's latest Review, exclusively sent to MBW+ subscribers
Interviews Per Sundin on Pophouse’s $1bn+ ambitions in music rights: ‘We don’t buy catalogs to put them on a shelf.’ Per Sundin reveals what sets Pophouse apart from other music investment firms, and shares his thoughts on the future of catalog investment...
News ATC Group acquires majority stake in Jamie Osman’s Easy Life Entertainment The deal brings Easy Life’s artist management, recordings, and PR services under the ATC umbrella
News Trump grants TikTok ban extension as US deal falters over tariffs Talks on new ownership for TikTok reportedly broke down when Trump announced new tariffs on China
Analysis News From Pophouse’s $1.3bn music rights fund to Morrissey’s legal action… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up The biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
News Global independent music publishing sector was worth $2.8bn in 2023, up 5.7% YoY (report) The Independent Music Publishers Forum (IMPF) has published its latest Global Market View report
News Donald Trump denied dismissal of Isaac Hayes heirs’ copyright lawsuit A federal court judge in Georgia rejected Trump lawyers' arguments that the estate of Isaac Hayes couldn't prove they own rights in 'Hold On, I'm Coming'
News Warner Music Group, Josh Groban honored at Harmony Program gala The Harmony Program provides children from underserved communities with a music education