SoundCloud 12 - RAIN News

Next Big Sound examines streaming trends: Growth, social media, and specialization

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Next Big Sound released its summer report, and the focus for this season was streaming and social media. Even though Pandora purchased the music data specialist this spring, the company is still able to provide compelling insight across several streaming platforms. In fact, Next Big Sound has already tracked more than 1 trillion online plays in the first six months of the year. That covers activity from YouTube, Vevo, Vimeo, Spotify, Rdio, SoundCloud, and new owner Pandora. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud hires new marketing exec from Viacom

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SoundCloud announced the addition of a new executive to its leadership team. DeJuan Wilson has joined the streaming platform as the new vice president of global marketing and brand. In this role, Wilson will be responsible for working on SoundCloud’s brand story, developing its global marketing function, and communicating its value proposition for listeners and creators. Prior to joining SoundCloud, Wilson served as senior vice president of brand strategy and creative marketing for Viacom’s MTV2, MTVU, and Logo networks. Continue Reading →

adStream: SoundCloud self-promotion wins Cannes Lions award [AUDIO]

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Brad Hill

adStream is an ongoing journal of news and observations in streaming audio advertising.

Soundcloud, which is gradually introducing streaming audio advertising to its listening platform, won a Cannes Lions Grand Prix award at the International Festival of Creativity last week Continue Reading →

Spotify, SoundCloud, and Shazam execs recognized as top European entrepreneurs

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

The Financial Times published a list of the top 50 tech entrepreneurs in Europe, and the rankings included several key players from the music industry. The list of CEOs and founders was compiled with the help of Founders Forum. Any nominees had to either be European nationals or live in Europe while running a tech company. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek took the top spot. Continue Reading →

Missives from Midem: Streaming is a hot topic for the industry conference

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Anna Washenko

This weekend, some of the music industry’s biggest names gathered in Cannes for the Midem conference. Many of the talks and interviews this year addressed the business of streaming. Here are some highlights from leaders at Sony Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, Believe Digital, and Tidal. Continue Reading →

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Internet Radio Rewind #046: YouTube Analytics; Merlin magic for SoundCloud; FCC liberates Pandora; more

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Brad Hill

A weekly podcast from RAIN News

Sponsored by AudioBoom

The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: YouTube Analytics; DASH Radio emerges; Merlin magic for SoundCloud; FCC liberates Pandora; the ideal cost of music. Continue Reading →

Merlin is the newest partner for SoundCloud’s monetization program

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SoundCloud has signed an agreement with Merlin that will enable the independent agency’s more than 20,000 labels and distributors to earn money on the platform. The people represented by Merlin will be able to earn royalties from the On SoundCloud advertising program and they will reportedly have involvement in the streaming platform’s upcoming subscription service as well. Terms of the partnership have not been disclosed. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud’s proposed contract with publishers’ group leaked

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Paul Resnikoff of Digital Music News has uploaded a copy of the agreement SoundCloud is allegedly negotiating with the National Music Publishers Association. The two-year deal offers advances of about $350,000 to the participating publishers. In exchange, SoundCloud would get a license allowing its creator partners to monetize and promote their uploads. Continue Reading →

Editor’s Notebook: Spotify and YouTube cross into overlapping territory

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Brad Hill

When Spotify announced last week that it was adding video to its content catalog, it signaled a directional shift and a competitive thrust into YouTube’s territory. YouTube, meanwhile, is inching its Music Key subscription platform onto Spotify’s front lawn. Other brands like Deezer and SoundCloud are also blurring their lines of identity. It’s all about un-platforming … while trying to succeed as a platform. Continue Reading →

Sony artist skewers company over SoundCloud takedown

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Brad Hill

Electronica producer Madeon has been using Twitter this week to jab a sharp stick into his label’s side, over a reported Soundcloud takedown action. The tweet protest illustrates how rights-holder decisions about streaming access to music can conflict with artist values, especially in the EDM category. Continue Reading →

CEO of UK copyright agency calls for changes to improve streaming for songwriters

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Robert Ashcroft, CEO of PRS for Music, spoke about the concerns for UK publishers and songwriters at the performing rights organization’s annual general meeting. His critiques were focused on online platforms that thrive on user-generated content, such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Ashcroft said those services have been unfairly benefiting from safe harbor laws. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud lays groundwork for more international business with new hire and language

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SoundCloud made two big business announcements today. First is a new hire: Sonia Flynn is assuming the role of vice president for international at the audio platform. The second item improves SoundCloud’s global presence with the addition of Brazilian Portuguese as a second language option. Continue Reading →