Merlin's Position on AI 17 Dec 2024
NEWS & PRESS
Christmas break news 2024
Record of the Day's daily email will return on 6 January. This page will be updated daily with news and features.---------------------------------------------BUSINESS---------------------------------------------NEWSDrake claims Spotify helped UMG boost Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us', but Spotify now says the action is a "subversion"...more
Ticketmaster Makes £60,000 Donation to Music Venue Trust
Fan Donation & Matching Initiative Has Raised £150,000 Over Two Years Music Venue Trust (MVT), the UK charity which represents hundreds of Grassroots Music Venues has welcomed a donation of over £60,000 from Ticketmaster. This contribution comes from Ticketmaster’s optional fan donation,...more
European Talent Exchange presents final 2024 results
European Talent Exchange, previously ESNS Exchange, the renowned European music Exchange programme, is proud to reveal the final 2024 results. The programme was established in 2003 to overcome the significant challenges faced by the European pop music industry in international...more
Mercury Studios announces Def Jam Recordings 40th anniversary Fast channel
Available to U.S. fans through Tubi, Def Jam 40 is Tubi's first-ever music focused FAST channel where it will showcase Def Jam artists' live content Def Jam Recordings will cap 2024, its 40th anniversary year, with the first-ever music-focused FAST channel on Tubi. The...more
TikTok celebrates #Christmasmusic
TikTok's festive in-app experience offers exclusive content, profile frames and playlists Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You is the #1 track for Christmas 2024 With Christmas just around the corner, TikTok invites users to search for #Christmasmusic and #Holidaymusic for the very best Christmas music on...more
New Black music incubator launches to empower Northern creatives in music industry
The OPEN SAUCE x Generator - Black Music Incubator Project is created to support Black industry professionals by giving them practical industry experience outside London A viable industry model designed and led by Yaw Owusu, in partnership with Generator, who eye...more
European World Music scene – in the new UPBEAT platform – steps ahead in future of talent booking: gigmit as biggest European talent platform and technology leader joins the party
The largest music booking and discovery platform in Europe, gigmit, has teamed up with the leading Hungarian world music festival promoter Hangvető who developed and leads the UPBEAT platform with 33 international music festivals. The partnership with gigmit is set to develop the new artist...more
The independent label behind Ndotz's global hit 'Embrace It' launches with bold ambitions
The new label backed by Broke Records makes its mark with viral successes and a new vision for artist development. Isekai Records, a new joint venture with Broke Records (owned by Create Music Group), has officially launched with the vision of...more
Festival Congress announces programme and extends event as fight for independent festivals takes next step
Registration and information at festivalcongress.co.uk After one of the most turbulent years for the independent festival sector - with some of the fastest sellouts for some shows but also a record number of cancellations - the first wave of sessions for the...more
Global Independent Music Community Warns of Consolidation Risks as UMG Expands
Independent music organizations worldwide are raising the alarm about the potential negative consequences that UMG-Virgin Music's acquisition of Downtown would have on the music ecosystem. The operation combines Downtown’s extensive portfolio—comprising services like FUGA, CD Baby, Songtrust, and others, collectively serving over...more
IMPF comment on the potential sale of Downtown Music to Virgin Music Group
"IMPF is both saddened and concerned by news of a potential sale of Downtown Music to Universal-owned Virgin Music Group. Downtown Music Publishing and Sheer Publishing Africa are valued members of the independent music publishing community and indeed of IMPF....more
Warner Chappell Music Benelux has signed Australian DJ CYRIL
Warner Chappell Music Benelux has signed superstar Australian DJ CYRIL. Born and raised in rural Australia, CYRIL is undoubtedly one of the hottest names in electronic music. Bursting onto the scene back in 2023 with 'Stumblin' In', which has almost 570...more
Sam Ryder Joins mtheory Under New Management Deal
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sam Ryder has announced a signing with mtheory, a leading management services company with a reputation for supporting world-class artists. Lewis Allen, who has been a key part of Sam’s previous setup over the last few years, is collaborating with Derek...more
PPL distributes £45.3 million to over 137,000 performers and recording rightsholders in Q4 payment
Today PPL has paid out £45.3 million to over 137,000 performers and recording rightsholders either as direct members of PPL or indirectly through other collective management organisations (CMOs). Over 9,400 members are receiving payment from PPL for the first time. Today's...more
Inspired by Voices: Amped Studio Lets Producers Transform Vocals with New Voice Changer Feature
Amped Studio wants to give music makers a new voice. Thanks to the power of AI, Amped’s latest creativity-boosting tool, Voice Changer, now lets producers, artists, and audio creators modify or completely transform their voice. Voice Changer expands Amped’s existing suite...more
Cooking Vinyl Publishing sign Korean R&B songstress Jacqui to worldwide admin agreement
Cooking Vinyl Publishing is delighted to announce the signing of Korean alt-R&B artist Jacqui to a long-term worldwide administration agreement. Born in South Korea, Jacqui spent her childhood in China before moving to the U.S. in her teens, where a friend...more
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Electric Feel Sign Eddie Eberle to Global Deal
Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced it has partnered with Electric Feel to sign Eddie Eberle of the band Eddie and The Getaway to a global publishing agreement.Eddie Eberle is a 24-year-old artist, songwriter, and producer who has achieved significant...more
Council Of Music Makers statement on the UK government's consultation on copyright and AI
This consultation provides a unique moment for the government to protect individual creators' rights and facilitate a dynamic licensing market for the use of music and other creative works in building generative AI. This is the only way that the...more
Kylie Minogue, Pulp, Michael Kiwanuka, Bad Gyal, and Raye headline the first lineup announcement for Bilbao BBK Live 2025
Bicep present CHROMA (AV DJ set) | L’Impératrice | Nathy Peluso | Orbital | The Blessed Madonna presents WE STILL BELIEVE | Amyl and The Sniffers | Amaia | Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso | Carolina Durante | English Teacher |...more
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Alessi Rose, Amble, Aziya KiLLOWEN, LYVIA, Myles Smith, Orla Gartland, Sammy Virji, Sienna Spiro, swim school Ticketmaster has revealed their ten Breakthrough acts set to dominate the live scene in 2025. Alessi Rose - UK's next pop girlie Amble - Irish folk trio TikTok stars Aziya -...more
Creative Rights In AI Coalition Calls On Government To Protect Copyright As GAI Policy Develops
A new coalition of rights holders including publishers, authors, artists, music businesses, specialist interest publications, unions, and photographers has called on government to spur growth in the creative and tech sectors by protecting copyright ahead of an imminent consultation. Launching today,...more
Artist One Entertainment Group x Tata Communications announce Arena One: The first globally connected arena
EXCLUSIVE LAUNCH WITH AMC THEATRES SET FOR EARLY 2025 Artist One Entertainment Group in partnership with Tata Communications, supported by a deep bench of the most revered live production companies, have collaborated to revolutionize live entertainment - unveiling the first Globally Connected Arena. Exclusively...more
Bootleg.live Launches Apps for Live Concert Audio
New collectible audio merch unlocks added revenue for touring artists Bootleg.live, the company that helps artists sell high-quality concert recordings to fans, has launched its official web and iPhone app. Touring is a major revenue contributor for artists, but going on...more
Merlin's Position on AI
Merlin is the independents' digital licensing partner. Merlin's primary function is to enable innovative and properly-compensated uses of its members' music. This is clearly demonstrated by the partnerships Merlin has in place with so many of the world's leading digital...more
Global Independent Music Publisher Third Side Music Appoints Melanie Santa Rosa as Head of Copyright
Global Independent Music Publisher Third Side Music (TSM) announces the appointment of industry veteran Melanie Santa Rosa as its new Head of Copyright based in New York. Santa Rosa is one of the most respected executives across the industry, with over 20 years of experience...more
Virgin Music Group set to acquire Downtown Music - comment from Gee Davy, CEO of the Association of Independent Music (AIM)
Gee Davy, CEO of AIM, commented: "The potential sale of Downtown Music - including FUGA, a longstanding favourite with independents - to Universal's Virgin Music Group is more concerning news for the global independent music community. Following on from the recent...more
IMPALA warns of serious regulatory barriers to UMG's acquisition strategy as Virgin moves to buy Downtown hot on the heels of [PIAS]
Following the announcement that UMG-owned Virgin Group has struck a deal to buy Downtown, European independent trade association IMPALA raises concerns about concentration and reducing independent routes to market. The move is hot on the heels of UMG acquiring control...more
Inside Out launches new publicity offering for events and special projects
AGENCY EXPANDS INTO RADIO FOR INTEGRATED PUBLICITY AND PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS Today, inside out announces the launch of a new offering from its award-winning communications agency, specialising in publicity for Events and Special Projects. Rebecca Mason is promoted to Head of Publicity for...more
Participants from 2024's Accelerator Programme for Music Managers reveal future plans - while the MMF and YouTube Music confirm the programme's return in 2025
18 more independent music managers complete the MMF and YouTube Music's groundbreaking funding and training programme at a final two-day retreat in Rye Over 135 individuals from around the UK have benefitted from Accelerator's unique approach to business development and future...more
Drew Hill comment: DP World acquires assets of Utopia Distribution Services Ltd
Drew Hill, Managing Director at Proper Music Group, said: "Following the bankruptcy of the Swiss entity, I had hoped to keep UDS and Proper Music Group together. Whilst it's disappointing to see the companies part ways, clients and customers of UDS...more
THE HEADLINES
The "ugly truth" about Spotify is finally revealed (see News)
WMG CEO Robert Kyncl addresses staff: ‘The industry is at a pivot point’ (see News)
Concerns raised over Virgin Music Group acquisition of Downtown (see News)
Creative Rights In AI Coalition calls on government to protect copyright as GAI policy develops (see News)
Virgin Music Group to acquire Downtown Music (see Business)
Majors labels' primary physical distributor Utopia Distribution Services collapses (see Business)
General Product Safety Regulation comes in to effect (see News)
End of year tours report: Coldplay recorded the most tickets sold by any artist on a single tour (see Analysis)
US media groups warn UK over AI content-scraping rules (see News)
Spotify’s music editors pick their songs of the year (see Digital)
For anyone who values music - know your enemy (see Comment)
Paul McCartney warns AI ‘could take over’ as UK debates copyright laws (see News)
Taylor Swift’s Eras tour smashes touring revenue record (see News)
Sony Music pulls catalogue from Boomplay over non-payment issues (see Digital)
What will Taylor Swift do next? (see Features)