Pandora has announced a rebrand, complete with a newly designed logo and slightly altered color palette. “As Pandora continues to evolve the most personal music experience, our new look embraces the dynamic range of sound and color, visualizing the energy and emotion that artists pour into the creation of music, and that we feel as listeners,” the online audio company said in a blog post. Continue Reading
Amazon has launched its new streaming music program. Carrying the name of Amazon Music Unlimited, the new service is muscling into the crowded territory with a unique integration with its existing home technology. The company was expected to have some interesting ties to its Amazon Echo voice-activated wireless speaker and it has delivered on that front. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves are two new additions to the ranks of ASCAP’s board and Spotify’s European team. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Interview with Universal’s top lawyer; show cancellation at Gimlet sparks questions. Continue Reading
T-Mobile’s Music Freedom program is under investigation by a Dutch regulator. The Authority for Consumers and Markets will examine whether it creates an unfair disadvantage for competing services under the Netherlands’ net neutrality rules. Continue Reading
The Music Business Association announced two new additions to its board of directors. The newest members are Elizabeth Moody, vice president of global content licensing at Pandora, and Rob Harvey, head of label relations in North America for Spotify. In addition to the new members from streaming companies, Matt Signore was elected as the board’s new treasurer. Continue Reading
Famed television talk show host Jerry Springer is among the celebrities who have jumped on the podcasting bandwagon. His weekly show – Tales, Tunes & Tomfoolery – is now on Westwood One’s podcast and on-demand platform via audioBoom. Continue Reading
Independent label network and rights agency Merlin announced the opening of a new office in Japan. “Merlin was conceived as an outward-looking global organisation, and the Japanese market will be of paramount importance to our international membership,” Merlin CEO Charles Caldas said. Continue Reading
BitTorrent announced plans for a limited streaming service in June, but that experiment appears to have been short-lived. The company has reportedly shut down the BitTorrent Now streaming operation, sources told Variety. The business also fired the co-CEOs it hired back in April, Robert Delamar and Jeremy Johnson, and laid off an unknown number of other staff members. Continue Reading
Vevo has hired Jon Gisby its new Head of Europe. He joins the company after working on the BBC’s digital strategy and running content and services at UK ISP Freeserve. In this new role, he will be responsible for delivering Vevo’s plans for content, technology, and monetization in that market. Jon Gisby has been a forward-looking executive during a career with many parts. Continue Reading
A mobile music app dubbed Soundtrap has finished a $6 million funding round. The company is developing a cloud-based music-making platform that allows for easy collaboration. The latest funding will go toward accelerating product development and rolling out in new markets. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Indian podcasting will boom in a few years; music leaders rank among the New Establishment. Continue Reading