YouTube is now a registration agency for the International Standard Name Identifier. This means that the video platform will request a unique identifier for every creator whose work is used on the service. The move is intended to ensure that the correct individuals are attributed to each distribution. Continue Reading
YouTube has its fair share of critics, especially in the music industry. According to a new report from Bloomberg, it seems that YouTube may be trying to create leverage that will keep musicians from making negative comments about the video platform. The publication said it has learned that YouTube has offered a few musicians hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial backing to produce videos and billboard promotion, with the caveat that these performers won’t say negative things about the company. Continue Reading
YouTube announced it is merging all of that performer’s subscribers into the Official Artist Channel, which will be identified with a music note icon. That could reduce the visibility of Vevo, which is owned by two major music labels, with investment from Alphabet (parent company of YouTube and Google). Continue Reading
Triton Digital and Edison Research have announced the date for the 2018 edition of The Infinite Dial, the influential annual study of how Americans listen to audio. It is Thursday, March 8. The live presentation is hosted annually by Tom Webster (SVP, Edison Research) and John Rosso (President, Market Development, Triton Digital). Continue Reading
Napster hired a new vice president of business development & operations for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Venesa Hoffman will be tasked with leading and executing the growth strategy, sales, marketing, and operations in that geographic region. Continue Reading
Apple has introduced an analytics dashboard that offers insights into listener behavior within the tech company’s streaming music service. Apple Music for Artists is only available to a few thousand performers in the initial rollout. Feedback from these artists made result in tweaks or improvements to the system before its broad launch in spring. Continue Reading
Information about the Spanish recorded music industry came to light over the weekend, with an optimistic report from Promusicae, a member organization of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). There were three headline points for the Spanish recording industry in 2017. Continue Reading
Mixcloud has furthered its relationship with W Hotels Worldwide, an arm of Marriott International. The companies are collaborating on special art and music events at six W Hotels around the world. Creative professionals have been invited to share their work for the series, dubbed Future Rising II: Wonderland. Continue Reading
Apple’s Siri voice assistant is getting a closer relationship with podcasts. When asking Siri for news, the platform can provide audio-based news updates from the Podcasts app. In the U.S., Siri defaults to audio updates from NPR, but a second voice command can change the default to The Washington Post, CNN, or Fox News. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has shifted its statistics to be updated in real time. The audio platform is making data around plays, likes, reposts, comments, and downloads available to artists in real time. The new data is available in the Today custom view within the stats page on the web version of the service or in the SoundCloud Pulse app. Continue Reading
Amazon announced that it will launch its Echo smart speaker line in Australia and New Zealand. Pre-orders for the devices begin today, and the first shipments are expected in early February. In addition the company is rolling out Amazon Music Unlimited in those two markets starting February 1. Continue Reading
Private equity firm Diversis Capital has acquired media software company Marketron from previous owner BlackRock Capital. In the deal, Diversis names Michael Collins as Marketron CEO, exiting previous chief executive Jeff Haley. Continue Reading