New Report Reveals Why Piracy Persists In The Streaming Era

Given the ubiquity of available content and ease of access which many of us now have to music and video in 2019, analysts had predicted that the streaming age would all but eradicate piracy. This hasn’t quite panned out however, according to a new study out of New Zealand, although…

The Art Of Marketing Music

For many listeners, music is far more than just sound, and acts as a strong emotional force. This makes music, and the inextricably linked if sometimes adversarial format of radio a uniquely powerful platform for marketing. Here Fred Jacobs looks at examples of music marketing from the beginning of the…

Ditto Music Launches Management Division

Independent distribution and marketing company Ditto Music announced the launch of a new artist management division. Ditto Management will operate as a stand-alone company and will be helmed by Matt Dodds, former A&R manager with the UK-based Jem Music. According to Rolling Stone, which first reported the launch, acts already…

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s Statement On EU Anti-Competition Complaint Against Apple [FULL TEXT]

Spotify it has filed an anti-trust complaint against Apple with the European Commission. The complaint centers on the 30% Apple charges for app store subscriptions and purchases and polices that Spotify CEO Daniel Ek says,"deliberately disadvantage other app developers." The full text of Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s statement: My goal…

Spotify Files EU Anti-Trust Complaint Against Apple

Spotify announced Wednesday that it has filed an anti-trust complaint against Apple with the European Commission. The complaint is centered on the 30% that Apple charges for in app purchase and polices that Spotify CEO Daniel Ek says,"deliberately disadvantage other app developers." "In recent years, Apple has introduced rules to…

YouTube Launches In India Priced 20% Under Spotify, With Licences From All 3 Majors

YouTube Music has launched in India just days after Spotify’s controversial launch there. YouTube Music Premium subscriptions are priced at 99 rupee, or 20% lower than the 119 rupees / $1.67 per month that Spotify charges for similar Premium subscriptions in India. Add in ad-free YouTube videos and the price…

Bandsintown Data-Driven Big Break SXSW Showcase Returns To Austin Wednesday

Concert discovery platform Bandsintown returns to SXSW on Wednesday with its second annual Big Break Showcase, the festival’s only fan data-driven official showcase. It will be held on Wednesday, March 13th from 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM on the rooftop of Maggie Mae’s on 6th Street in Austin. This year’s…

Austin’s Prism Raises $2.2M For Live Music Booking And Management Software

Austin-based music tech startup Prism has raised a $2.2 million seed round. Prism’s software simplifies the booking and management of live music events. Last night, Prism hosted the Annual Music Tech Mashup and is hosting the SXSW Official Live Music Meet-up at Empire Control Room from 4-7PM on Wednesday, March…

Video’s Rise Can Lift Music’s Fortunes, But Only If Music Clearance Catches Up Technologically

As the availability of content continues to balloon and the streaming technology on which it’s accessed continues to advance, the process of clearing music for picture remains stuck in the year 1989, even as the demand for synced, pre-recorded music is ever-increasing. _______________________________ Guest post by Scott Freiman, CEO of…

All Spotify Premium Subscribers Now Get Free Hulu

Spotify subscribers now get Hulu as part of their $9.99 Premium memberships, expanding their existing partnership. The promotion, which extends to all U.S. Spotify Premium individual subscribers adds Hulu’s ad-supported plan at no additional cost. The ad-supported tier of Hulu usually costs $5.99 a month. Existing Hulu-billed subscribers who have…