Universal Music Group (UMG) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the global giant of advertising and public relations WPP which will center around audience engagement strategies “harnessing the power of music,” according to a press release. The deal will give WPP clients access to UMG's music catalog, with the two companies working together to “unlock additional areas of data-enhanced and technological innovation” and explore ways in which AI “can better help brands and artists to connect and create authentic cultural moments,” the statement added. The partnership builds on a pre-existing relationship between UMG and WPP, who have previously collaborated on initiatives including music platforms Coke Studio and Sprite Limelight. In a statement, UMG's chief digital officer and executive vice president Michael Nash said that “by combining innovative new technologies with UMG's industry-leading data insights, we can create significant new commercial opportunities for our artists and songwriters. In addition, by working with WPP, we will leverage and enhance the unparalleled power and reach of music for WPP's clients and brands through new strategic initiatives and programs.”
Sony Music was launched in Greece after its acquisition Cobalt musicone of the largest independent companies in the country, for the re-establishment of Sony Music Entertainment Greece. The deal will enable Cobalt's artists to connect with audiences internationally. it was simultaneously announced that Anna Maria Antippa will serve as MD of Sony Music Entertainment Greece after holding leadership roles in the Greek music industry for almost 20 years. The revenue of the Greek music industry reached 70.4 million dollars last year, an increase of 14.91% compared to the previous year. Streaming accounted for 63.1 percent of that revenue, up 15.2 percent year over year, while sync revenue grew 49.4 percent, according to a press release.
Virgin Music Group entered into a strategic long-term agreement with Hungama Digital Mediaa leading digital entertainment company operating out of India. Through the deal, Virgin will help expand the global reach of Hungama's music catalog, including SVF, Grassroute, OTV and several film soundtracks. In turn, the deal will allow Virgin to deepen its presence in India's local music scene. “Hungama's extensive network will enable us to unlock incredible new opportunities for our artists,” he said Amit Sharmacountry manager of India for Virgin Music Group, in a statement.
CTS event acquired 17% of the French ticketing company France Billet from Fnac Dartymaking it the majority shareholder of France Billet. Fnac Darty retains a 35% stake after the transaction and will continue to be involved in the governance of the company. France Billet's management team will remain in place following the deal.
AEG presents took a corporate stake in a Germany-based concert promotion company MCT Agency. “I wanted a partner who shared my vision for how our business would work and could provide a little extra muscle in my corner when needed,” said the founder of MCT Agentur Scumeck Sabottka in a statement about the agreement. “Concert promotion is still a gamble… that's what makes it fun, but it's a full-contact sport at times. You need a teammate you can trust, and Jay and I trust each other.”
Warner Music Japan (WMJ) entered into a strategic partnership with NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan (NBCUJ) through which he will produce and promote new releases from NBCUJ artists. WMJ will additionally acquire distribution rights to more than 9,000 works in NBCU's music catalog, including anime-related tracks, and will begin distributing them digitally worldwide beginning early next year. WMJ will also handle physical product distribution and sales. The two companies will also work to expand opportunities for musical tie-ins with anime projects, exploring the possibility of WMJ artists contributing songs to NBCUJ titles. With the deal, WMJ also launched an anime business division, which brought in the former president/CEO of Aniplex Koichiro Natsume and former senior executive of TMS Entertainment Co Hiroyasu Shinohara as external consultants. “This partnership will not only allow us to bring NBCUJ's catalog to the world through our global network, but will also give our artists opportunities to further develop their careers by leveraging anime-related partnerships,” he said. Takeshi Okadapresident/CEO of WMJ, in a statement.
As part of a new strategic partnership, ODA — Warner Music Group's independent music distribution and artist services arm — will now oversee global distribution for music projects developed by FaroLatino musicthe tags section of ForoLatino. “This alliance marks an important chapter for both companies as we come together to champion Latin American music on a global scale.” Javier Feinzaithe president of FaroLatino, said in a statement. President of the EAB Kreidich cat added, “We are thrilled to partner with FaroLatino and help lead the global growth and recognition of the many diverse artists and genres that make up Latin music.” Started in 1995, FaroLatino offers artist services ranging from marketing and press to strategic partnerships. Some of her latest projects include Jessi Uribe and Alejandro Fernández's collaboration “Tu Maniquí” and Noche de Brujas and Jorge Celedón's cross-genre single “Vente Conmigo”. – Griselda Flores
Event management platform Events.com get it Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival outside of San Diego. “Under our ownership, we will simplify operations and create more digital engagement opportunities for guests,” he said Stephen Partridgepresident/COO of Events.com, in a statement. Wonderfront started in 2019 and had nearly 42,000 attendees at this year's edition of the festival. “With Events.com's event management expertise and innovative platform capabilities, we look forward to creating even more memorable experiences for our guests as we enhance our operational efficiencies, including ticketing, guest engagement and end-to-end management festival”. added the founder/executive producer of Wonderfront Paul Thornton. A repeat of the festival in 2025 is scheduled for May 16-18.
Create a music group acquired 50% of the London-based dance music label and music publisher Improved musicwhich features genre brands such as Enhanced Recordings, Enhanced Progressive, Colorize, Shapes of Solitude and Enhanced Chill. Enhanced has publishing rights to thousands of songs by artists such as The Chainsmokers, Elley Duhé, Tiësto and Steve Aoki.
Symphonic Distribution works with Masterchannel to provide artists with an AI mastering tool that makes tracks release-ready and stream-optimized. As part of the deal, Symphonic artists can upload as many tracks as they want and receive unlimited free full-length master previews.
Also in Symphonicthe company signed a South Korean lable EchoesInDream (EID) in a worldwide distribution agreement. Upcoming EID releases include “Swimmin',” a collaboration between Filipino R&B artist Jay R and emerging artists PAAK and AVN, along with new music from PAAK, an Afrobeats artist. Both are scheduled for release in January.
