News Actually… Universal Music Group spent nearly $3 BILLION on catalog acquisitions and artist advances last year Vivendi's annual report shows that UMG splashed out $2.87 billion on catalogs and artist advances in 2020
Interviews ‘Managers should be well compensated and own equity in what we’re developing.’ Music managers Ty Stiklorius and Lily Crockford discuss their newly agreed partnership, why the UK’s traditional artist/manager deal is no longer fit for purpose and the issue with ‘hustle culture’ in the US
News Indian rapper Badshah was the world’s No.1 songwriter on YouTube last year, says new report Second biggest songwriter on YouTube last year was Tones and I, shows Blokur data
News Primary Wave buys 50% stake in master recordings of musician Chris Isaak in ‘multi-million dollar’ deal Deal includes a strategic alliance that will allow him to sign new artists to a joint venture, as well as a recording contract with Sun Records
News Rolling Stone to launch in the UK Stream Publishing has signed an exclusive licensing deal with Penske Media Corporation (PMC) to launch the brand in the UK
News Warner Chappell Music inks publishing deal for works by jazz legend Cab Calloway Deal includes classics such as Minnie the Moocher, Are You All Reet? and Are You Hep to the Jive? (Yas, Yas)
News LiveXLive inks multi-year deal with merchandise platform Merchbar LiveXLive expanded into the merch business in October 2020 by acquiring 100% of Custom Personalization Solutions
News Universal Music Publishing Group launches in Israel Itamar Shafrir appointed UMPG Israel’s General Manager, Publishing and Production Music
News Atlantic Records UK and ADA UK partner with new Latin music label Candela Records The deal is the first time a UK frontline label has partnered with a UK based Latino label, says Warner
News Chris Brown sued for alleged copyright infringement by UK music publisher Greensleeves Publishing sues US superstar and Sony Music
News Shamrock just raised $196m to loan music and entertainment rights-holders money Fund targets owners of entertainment IP across the film, television, games, sports media rights and other content sectors, including music
News Jay Z’s Roc Nation makes VR move with purchase of SENSO tokens from $100m-backed Sensorium Corporation SENSO tokens are the in-platform currency of Sensorium Galaxy
News Beth Appleton joins music credit resource Jaxsta as Chief Marketing Officer Appleton previously served as the GM and SVP Marketing Australasia at Warner Music Australia
News Roberto Razzini steps down as Warner Chappell Music Italy Managing Director Razzini joined WCM Italy in 1990 as a Product Manager and became Head of International in 1993.
News Hipgnosis Songs Fund raises $215m with new share placing – as investor demand exceeds target Over-subscribed offer of new shares significantly boost warchest of acquisitive UK-listed firm
News Finneas O’Connell was the world’s No.1 songwriter on Spotify last year, says report Thomas Hull aka Kid Harpoon also did well on charts
News Sony Music Entertainment inks strategic partnership with Roblox Partnership follows collaborations in the past year including the Lil Nas X Virtual Concert and Zara Larsson Launch Party
News Britney Spears manager Larry Rudolph resigns after 25 years Rudolph co-founded ReignDeer Entertainment with Adam Leber in 2005