Apple Music is continuing its streak of major exclusive releases with the debut of a Frank Ocean "visual album." As with other streaming exclusives, we’ll be watching to see if Ocean’s fans sign up for Apple Music, try it free for 90 days and opt out or find an unauthorized…
Category archives: Major Labels
Building A Fanbase With Facebook Music Video Ads
Thanks to social media, buying advertising to promote music is no longer just for deep pocketed major labels. But where is the best place to spend limited funds? That’s a question we’re working to answer in a series of posts produced with the help of entertainment advertising experts Dash Two….
Spotify’s Most Viral Tracks US, UK And Globally
These lists represent the most viral tracks on Spotify, based on the number of people who shared it divided by the number who listened to it, from 8/5-11/2016 via Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Spotify. SPOTIFY’S MOST VIRAL TRACKS United States 1. Blkkathy, Lemon (Manimal Group) 2. DJ Snake, Let Me…
Universal Invests in Indie Petrol Records, Deal Includes New INXS Documentary and Records
UMG has taken a major stake in indie Petrol Records. Now that, thanks to streaming, the major music groups have found their footing, they’re again consolidating their dominate position with investments and acquisitions. No longer are the targets tangential businesses like merch, concerts or tech startups; but rather independent record…
Apple Music Makes Cash Money "Power Move"
Apple Music certainly does likes exclusives and is willing to open its checkbook to get them. A new deal with hip hop powerhouse Cash Money Records, which will officially begin with a documentary about the label, is the latest in a growing list. _____________________________________ "It’s official… Cash Money makes a…
How Frank Ocean, Drake, Kayne West, DJ Khaled, Others Are Using A Loophole To Game The Charts
[UPDATED] In late 2014, as part of a move to include digital consumption in its chart calculations, Billboard began counting 1,500 streams or 10 paid downloads of a song as the equivalent of one album sold. Recently, a growing number of top artists have released mega-albums that use this calculation…
Universal Music Wins $20M Global Eagle Entertainment Settlement
Universal Music is $20 million richer today after a settling a 2 year old legal battle with American Airlines inflight entertainment provider Global Eagle Entertainment. ____________________________________ Universal Music has settled its long running lawsuit against Global Eagle Entertainment for $20 million. In addition to the settlement, Global Eagle will issue…
Old Music Is Outselling New Music For The First Time Ever
Even Adele can’t save the legacy music industry… Old music is outselling new music for the first time ever, according to Nielsen. Some of its has to do with millennials preferring to consume music via streaming or not to pay for it at all. But how bright is the future…
UMG Names Former WMG Exec Oana Ruxandra As SVP Digital Strategy and Partnerships,
Universal Music Group has named Oana Ruxandra to the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Partnerships. Ruxandra will be tasked with developing UMG’s digital strategy in an increasingly important segment of the recorded music ecosystem. She will be based in Santa Monica and report to…
Sony Acquires Ministry Of Sound, One Of World’s Largest Indie Labels
Sony’s UK arm has acquired one of the world’s biggest remaining independent labels, Ministry of Sound. The UK indie label specializes in dance and house music and has scored cumulative album sales of 70 million including 40 #1 UK albums and 21 #1 UK singles. Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO,…