Facebook has secured a licensing deal with pan-European online rights hub ICE. The multi-territory agreement provides the social media network with use of the rights hub’s catalog for Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Oculus. Continue Reading
Two Australian podcast companies have announced a merger. Placard Media, a platform for connecting podcasters and advertisers, has joined forces with Nearly, a podcast network that launched in August 2017. Continue Reading
Amazon Music has hired Dan McCarroll as global head of originals and artist relations. McCarroll joins the company after leaving his post as president of Warner Bros. Records last year. In the new role, he will be responsible for leading the team making exclusive, global music programming for Amazon. Continue Reading
Spotify is looking to make a hire in hardware development, the latest sign that the company might have aspirations beyond software. Music Ally found listings for three jobs at the streaming service. The current device du jour is the smart speaker; is Spotify aiming to enter this crowded segment? Continue Reading
Three audio industry experts have banded together for the launch of holding company Media Creek. The new operation will focus on businesses in audio. Media Creek is starting operation with the announcement that it is now the parent company of both Live365 and EmpireStreaming. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Two looks at Australia’s Kyle and Jackie O. UK nearing an FM shut-off? Much more from around the audio world. Continue Reading
Today Pandora sent an announcement that observers have been waiting for: The leading internet radio platform has launched a private programmatic marketplace for its digital audio advertising inventory. “It’s clear the future of advertising is digital audio,” evangelizes John Trimble, Pandora’s Chief Revenue Officer. Continue Reading
A trio of archivists and podcast fanatics have received a grant to help educate podcasters on how to preserve their work. The $142,000 grant from the The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will fund the creation of a podcast focused on topics in podcast preservation. Continue Reading
Audible is broadening its scope to include theater. The Amazon division is producing plays with the aim of recording the performances and turning them into audiobooks and podcasts. In addition to sponsoring performances to be recorded, Audible established a $5 million fund to commission new works by emerging artists. Continue Reading
France posted a 3.9% increase in recorded music revenue in 2017. The Syndicat National de l’édition Phonographique, or SNEP, reported annual sales of €583 million in a second year of growth. Streaming revenue increased 23% for the year, reaching €243 million and securing a 41.6% share of the French market. Continue Reading
The Los Angeles Times interviewed Neil Young, talking about music projects old and new with the rocker. He is still on the same crusade for audio quality with his recently unveiled Neil Young Archives as he was with Pono Music, his multi-million dollar crowdfunded project that recently shuttered. And Young has some definite, if bizarre, opinions on why Pono failed. Continue Reading
Ticket sales are open for the RAIN Podcast Business Summit , March 22, at New World Stages in New York. First Mover registrations benefit from the lowest price — just $299 for the only event examining and defining the business marketplace of on-demand audio, and the opportunity for advertisers. These early buyers will also receive a $15 RAIN-branded Starbucks gift card when they pick up their badges. The First Mover tickets last until February 22. Click through for special speaker reveals.
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