Deals
Indian food delivery giant Zomato has acquired the entertainment ticketing business of Paytm for $244.1 million, expanding its “going out” offerings. The deal includes Paytm’s ticketing services for movies, sports and events, with 280 Paytm employees joining Zomato. Paytm’s flagship app will continue to host these offerings for up to 12 months. Deepinder Goyal, Zomato founder and chief executive, says, “The proposed acquisition helps us add more scale and offer newer use-cases (like movie and sports ticketing) to our customers in this segment”.
Digital fitness company Fortë and fitness music streaming app Vibes Music have partnered to integrate Vibe’s library of over two million licensed songs into Fortë’s fitness streaming platform. Fortë, which describes itself as “the fitness industry’s only premium live and on demand digital solution” says that the collaboration will enhance user experience by providing popular tracks from artists like Taylor Swift and Drake during live and on-demand workouts. The integration will be available across Fortë’s branded websites, mobile apps and TV apps, which are used by fitness studios, gyms and influencers. Lauren Foundos, CEO of Fortë, says, “This partnership enables brands to create the most premium fitness app for their community with cutting-edge technology and music, which will set them apart from their competition”.
United Talent Agency has launched a new Christian music division, led by Jonathan Roberts who joined the company in May 2024. The division extends UTA’s Heartland initiative, founded in 2020, and aims to leverage the company’s music network and resources. UTA has also signed four-time Billboard Christian Airplay chart-topper Phil Wickham, who will be represented by Roberts. In June, UTA signed another contemporary Christian music artist, Brandon Lake. Scott Clayton, UTA partner and co-head of UTA’s music department, says, “UTA is deeply committed to the growth of the Christian music division”.
Downtown Music has signed a content deal with Hook, an AI social music app that enables fans to create authorised remixes of popular music for use on social media. The agreement allows millions of licensed recordings from Downtown’s catalogue to be added to Hook’s library, creating a new revenue stream for Downtown’s clients through compensation for user-generated remixes of their songs. Gaurav Sharma, Founder & CEO of Hook, says, “We believe fan remixing and UGC is a new form of active music consumption and rightsholders should be paid for it”.
Saregama India has fully acquired digital entertainment firm Pocket Aces Pictures, paying in the region of $45 million over two transactions. The RP Sanjiv Goenka Group-owned company will pay INR2.09 billion – around $24.9 million – for the remaining 48.2% stake in the business, following its initial purchase of 51.8% for just under $20 million in November 2023. Pocket Aces, which produces short-form video content aimed at young Indians, reaches around 50 million viewers weekly. In its annual report, Saregama said that it will leverage Pocket Aces’ reach to popularise its music library among the 18-35 audience segment. Avarna Jain, Saregama India’s Vice Chairperson, said that the company doubled its investment in new music over the last year, and notes, “In the coming years, diversification will remain a key strategy for us to leverage synergies across our business streams”.
Music distributor Ditto Music has launched an AI-powered online mastering tool in collaboration with Masterchannel. The service, aimed at independent artists, utilises technology that Ditto claims is “trusted by Grammy-winning producers”. A recent survey conducted by Ditto found that 66% of independent artists surveyed are open to using AI mastering for their music. Lee Parsons, CEO of Ditto Music, says, “Ditto Music Mastering is designed to give artists access to the same level of expertise as top recording studios, but with the convenience and affordability that independent musicians need”.
Sony Music Entertainment Korea has signed a global distribution deal with Attrakt, the management company behind K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY. Under the agreement, Sony Music Entertainment Korea will oversee worldwide distribution of FIFTY FIFTY’s music, as well as global marketing campaigns and business development initiatives. Sony’s Arista Records label in the US will manage marketing efforts in that market. The deal comes ahead of FIFTY FIFTY’s upcoming EP release in September, following the group’s recent reconstitution as a quintet. Bobby Ju, Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment Korea, says, “This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our K-pop strategy, and we are confident that FIFTY FIFTY’s immense talent, combined with our global reach, will create a powerful force in the music industry”.
Appointments
Warner Music has appointed Oscar Scivier as Senior Director, A&R, Asia. Scivier, an A&R executive, producer and artist manager, will be based in Hong Kong and work with the regional management team to develop A&R strategies. According to the company his role will include enhancing collaboration within Warner Music’s regional A&R network and supporting local teams with artist development, focusing on introducing Asian artists globally. Scivier has worked with artists including deadmau5, Madison Beer and Rita Ora. Kabiru Bello, VP of Global A&R, Warner Recorded Music, says, “Adding Oscar to our worldwide A&R team strengthens our ability to swiftly seize artist development opportunities and reaffirms WMG’s commitment to providing the best platform for the most impactful and popular talent”.
Stern Management has appointed Marisa Jeffries as General Manager. Jeffries joins the music management firm from TikTok, where she led the Music Partnerships And Operations team. In her new role, Jeffries will focus on maximising opportunities for Stern Management’s roster of artists, which includes Djo, Metric and The Black Angels. The company’s founder Nick Stern says, “As Stern Management is coming into its own, I am overjoyed that Marisa is going to be joining us at this exciting stage in a key leadership position”.
Legal
The Michael Jackson estate has won a final ruling from a California appeals court to proceed with a $600 million sale of the singer’s catalogue to Sony Music. The court rejected objections from Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, who wanted to block the deal. The ruling stated that the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, did not violate the terms of Jackson’s will when they agreed to the transaction, with the court noting, “The will gave the executors broad powers of sale, with no exception for the specific assets at issue in this case”.
Vans has settled a long-running trademark lawsuit with Brooklyn art collective MSCHF over rapper Tyga‘s ‘Wavy Baby’ sneakers, a parody of Vans’ classic Old Skool design. The settlement requires MSCHF to acknowledge infringement and cease selling the controversial shoe. MSCHF had previously argued the design was protected parody under the US First Amendment, intended to critique “sneakerhead” culture. However, federal courts consistently ruled in Vans’ favour, with Judge William F Kuntz stating, “Whatever the actual artistic merits of the Wavy Baby shoes, the shoes do not meet the requirements for a successful parody”.
Chris Crisman, a photographer, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the organisers of the Carolina Country Music Fest and marketing firm WhirlWind Designs in the North Carolina federal court. The suit alleges that the defendants used Crisman’s photograph of two women riding a mechanical bull without permission to promote the 2019 edition of the festival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Crisman claims he discovered the unauthorised use in June 2023, despite having created and registered the image with the US Copyright Office in 2011. Crisman says that he is seeking injunctive relief, damages with interest and attorney’s fees, after attempts to resolve the dispute have been unsuccessful.
Other industry news & events
BBC Music has announced details for the 2024 Mercury Prize ‘Albums Of The Year’ TV and radio programmes. The live TV broadcast will air on BBC Four from 8pm to 9.15pm on 5 Sep, filmed at Abbey Road Studios. BBC Radio 6 Music will present ‘Mercury Prize 2024 Live’ from 7pm to 11pm, hosted by Tom Ravenscroft and Deb Grant, featuring interviews with the twelve nominated artists. The overall winner will be announced live around 9pm and played in full on air. A Mercury Prize 2024 collection will be available on BBC Sounds from 2 Sep, including Matt Everitt’s Pocket Guides to all twelve albums and two celebratory playlists.
Artist News
US collecting society SoundExchange has awarded Billy Joel one of its Hall Of Fame Awards, recognising him as one of the most streamed creators in the organisation’s history. Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, says, “Billy has not only been a significant presence through nearly every major shift in physical musical formats, but he is also one of the digital era’s most streamed artists. We are THRILLED and honoured to present Billy Joel with the SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award”.
Radiohead music has been added to a rerelease of the classic silent horror film ‘Nosferatu’ as part of a new series of sync projects. The band’s albums ‘Kid A’ and ‘Amnesiac’ will serve as the soundtrack for the 1922 Dracula adaptation, with the film opening on 4 Oct. The initiative, called Silents Synced, aims to attract music fans to cinemas for unique communal experiences. Josh Frank, CEO of the project, says, “Silents Synced is a strategic format to draw new audiences to cinemas for a communal music experience like no other”. Future releases in the series will feature music from Pearl Jam, REM and They Might Be Giants paired with other silent-era films.
Janet Jackson has announced a new Las Vegas residency beginning in December 2024 at Resorts World Las Vegas. She will perform on 30 Dec and New Year’s Eve, followed by shows on 3 Jan and 4 Jan 2025. After a month-long break, she will then return for performances from 5 Feb to 15 Feb 2025. Announcing the residency on Instagram, Jackson says, “We’re so excited to announce our new residency at Resorts World Las Vegas launching New Year’s week. This is going to be a lot of fun, and I look forward to spending the start of the New Year with you!”
Take That will be the subject of a major Netflix documentary produced by Fulwell 73. The film promises unprecedented access to current members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, as well as insights from former members Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. Announced at the Edinburgh International TV Festival, the documentary will be directed by BAFTA-nominated David Soutar, known for ‘Bros: After The Screaming Stops’ and ‘Sunderland Til I Die’. Commenting on the deal, Take That says, “We are so excited to be partnering with Netflix and Fulwell for an exclusive behind the scenes look into our journey as a band over the last 35 years”.
Releases & Tours
Laura Marling has shared another single from her forthcoming album ‘Patterns In Repeat’ – it’s called ‘No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Can’.
Nukuluk have posted a video for their single ‘Hand On The Hilt’, directed by HMLTD’s Henry Spychalski.
Singer-songwriter Anya Marina has shared new single ‘Waiting For A Difference’, released by Good Rope Records.
Izzy Reign has released new single ‘Pandora’s Box’ via FiXT.
Joan As Police Woman has posted new track ‘Full Time Heist’, the third single from her forthcoming new album ‘Lemons, Limes & Orchids’.
The Postal Service have shared a Sylvan Esso remix of their track ‘The District Sleeps Alone Tonight’.
Josh Lovelace from the band NEEDTOBREATHE has announced that he will release solo album ‘Shelters’ on 25 Oct via Stonycroft Records and Missing Piece Records. Here is single ‘Miracles’.