News UK startup Forever launches Nile Rodgers VR Q&A experience. Is this the future of virtual meet and greets? Project was created in association with Universal Music UK and the National Portrait Gallery, with the involvement of Abbey Road Studios
News Indie labels call for end to streaming ‘payola’ – as IMPALA unveils 10-point plan to reform sector In new report, trade body makes a number of key suggestions for change
News Bob Valentine promoted to President of Concord, Kent Hoskins named CFO He will continue to work with CEO Scott Pascucci to guide the company’s overall business strategy
News Warner and Tencent Music to launch a joint record label, as they ink multi-year licensing deal Deal means Tencent is launching JV labels with Warner and Universal in China
News BMG inks global partnership with Montreux Jazz Festival Deal includes a three-part documentary series celebrating the history of the music festival
Interviews ‘We are entering a golden age for independents in Italy.’ Claudio Ferrante, founder of distribution company and record label Artist First, on thriving during the pandemic
News MBW’s Weekly Roundup: Spotify, Hipgnosis, Grammys, YouTube, Universal x Boomplay The biggest music industry stories of the week, all in one place
Analysis Artists have a 0.2% chance of generating $50k a year on Spotify. Let’s kick this stat around. Spotify's new website has started a debate. The world of soccer might provide some answers.
News EMPIRE hires Elliott Peters as VP of Global Business Development, promotes Mike Gallegus to VP of Business and Legal Affairs Peters has previously worked for SoundCloud, Apple and Warner Music
News Distiller Music Group signs global deal with Believe Global agreement includes new releases and back catalog
News African distribution company Freeme Digital launches new services platform for indie rightsholders Freeme+ will provide A&R, marketing, sync licensing and publishing services for independent African rights holders
News Universal and music streaming service Boomplay expand license to cover 47 countries across Africa New markets include South Africa, Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Senegal
Analysis News Hipgnosis reveals how it values songs (and that its catalog is worth slightly more than it originally forecast) New disclosures show that Hipgnosis' assets were earning 0.4% more than company predicted they would when it acquired them
News Nearly 98% of 18-to-49-year-olds in the US didn’t tune in to the Grammys on Sunday Nielsen figures reveal that 2021's pared-down show drew a TV audience of less than 9m
News Belgian Association of Authors, Composers and Publishers joins pan-European ICE Core license Sabam manages the rights of more than 42,000 members