Quick Hits: Playlist payola; Privacy change at Spotify
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: An examination of pay-to-playlist; spotify changes its privacy policy to the disgruntlement of a Forbes columnist. Continue Reading
AudioHQ enters content creation with talent agency partnership
AudioHQ has announced a partnership with talent agency Paradigm to create long-form digital audio content. The two companies will collaborate on developing, distributing, and selling this on-demand audio programming along the traditional Hollywood studio model, which the two companies say is a new approach at large scale. Continue Reading
Beatport partners with T-Mobile for customer exclusives
Beatport announced a partnership with T-Mobile to offer exclusive content to the customers of both companies. Members of T-Mobile Backstage will get access to ticket giveaways and special access to SFX events sponsored by the telecom. Continue Reading
Broadcast radio groups become new targets of pre-1972 music licensing litigation
Traditional radio is now a litigation target over music licensing of pre-1972 recordings, thanks to an action filed in a California state court by ABS Entertainment. Will the lawsuit reach beyond the webcast streams of the radio groiups targeted? Continue Reading
SoundCloud stops reporting to Next Big Sound
The summer 2015 edition of Next Big Sound’s music industry report may be the last one to highlight SoundCloud. The online audio platform is no longer reporting to the data analytics expert. Next Big Sound tweeted to a client that SoundCloud opted to cease reporting last month, and a rep from SoundCloud confirmed the decision to Music Ally. Continue Reading
BandPage/Rhapsody partnership finds success with notification marketing
BandPage and Rhapsody released some insights from their partnership into ways to generate increased revenue within digital streaming. The pair found that push notifications had a vastly higher level of engagement than Google Searches, Facebook ads, and web display advertising. These notifications were delivered to artists’ most serious fans as identified by BandPage’s data analytics services. Continue Reading
Apple breaks silence, refutes MusicWatch study
Yesterday we reported on research published by MusicWatch that found Apple Music was facing an uphill battle in retaining its audience. Apple has interjected into that conversation, issuing a statement to The Verge claiming that 79% of the people who signed for Apple Music still use it. Continue Reading
On the Move: CueSongs development exec; AdLarge national account manager
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes in the audio industry. CueSongs brings on new development exec, while a new national account manager joins the team at AdLarge. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Bob Lefsetz on podcasts; T-Bone Burnett on streaming
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: Bob Lefsetz discovers podcasts; T-Bone talks streaming and tech. Continue Reading
Study shows big split in Apple Music’s audience retention
A study by MusicWatch reviewed the success rate Apple Music has had among the company’s pool of iOS users. The study found that 77% of iOS users in the U.S. are aware of the new streaming platform, but only 11% said they are currently using Apple Music. Among people who had tried the service, 48% said they are not using it at this time. Continue Reading
Apple rebrands iTunes Music Festival with streaming integrations
Apple has rebranded its iTunes Music Festival to the Apple Music Festival, pivoting the London event to focus on its recently launched streaming service. Outside of renaming the event, Apple also announced that it will have extensive tie-ins with the new streaming platform. The festival shows will be streamed live and on demand in Apple Music. Continue Reading
Deezer looking to fundraise for a $1 billion valuation
Deezer is reportedly looking to raise enough funds to be valued at about €1 billion ($1.1 billion). The company’s reps have not made any comment on the reports. If true, and successful, Deezer would be the third dedicated streaming-audio company to reach a valuation in the billions of dollars. Continue Reading