Warner Music Group established an expanded licensing contract with Audiomack, which now encompasses 47 additional nations including the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, the Caribbean, Mexico, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The initial licensing agreement was made in 2019.
Exceleration Music has taken over Mack Avene Music Group, a consortium of independent jazz labels responsible for releasing music from artists like Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Kenny Garrett. Post-acquisition, Mack Avenue will merge its operations with those of Candid Records, another entity previously acquired by Exceleration, creating a unified jazz group. This group will be managed by current Mack Avenue president Denny Stilwell and include other essential executives from both Mack Avenue and Candid.
Triller Group successfully raised $50 million in equity funding from institutional investors, accomplished through a private placement involving common stocks and warrants, with shares priced at $2.20. The funds will be allocated towards launching new AI tools, enhancing the livestreaming functionality of the Triller platform, and overhauling its video editing suite. An additional fundraising round is anticipated later this year.
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Musical AI, a rights management platform focused on generative AI, secured an initial investment of $2.1 million led by Canadian venture capital firm Build Ventures. Several angel investors also participated, with a seed round set to close in the first half of this year. Per the company, its attribution model can identify the percentage of content generated from specific data sources, enabling rights holders to “monitor, take down and sunset usage” of their creations. “For sustainable and ethical AI training, attribution is essential. Musical AI stands alone in providing it within the audio sector,” stated Musical AI CEO Sean Power. “I’m excited that discerning investors are supporting our mission to reshape AI training.”
Downtown-owned distributor FUGA declared an expansion into the Asia-Pacific area through various new collaborations and agreements across Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. In Indonesia, FUGA has partnered with the Jakarta-based label Maspam Company, representing artists like Pamungkas and Prince Husein; and label/distributor Sintesa Pro, known for Batas Senja. In India, it engaged with digital and music firms including GK Digital, whose roster features artists such as Karan Randhawa and Max Singh; and music management platform DroomMusic, home to Gajendra Verma. In the Philippines, it allied with GMA Music and battle-rap artist Pricetagg.
Primary Wave Music has broadened its collaboration with The Piano Guys, with its Green Hill Productions (part of the Sun Label Group) acquiring an additional share in the group’s master audio catalog. Green Hill has also secured a fresh distribution agreement with the group, enabling it to play a more proactive role in the strategic development of The Piano Guys’ catalog and upcoming releases, as stated in a press release.
Live Nation Urban has invested in Breakr, a marketing and technology platform for creators which allows record labels, creative agencies, brands, and more “to discover, select, pay, and contract with independent online content creators for the promotion of songs, products, and services,” according to a press release. The investment will proceed through a new venture fund established by Live Nation and Live Nation Urban called the Black Lily Capital Fund, which aims to offer capital and resources to Black entrepreneurs in companies related to or near the live music sector, with a focus on startups in pre-seed and seed stages. Alongside the investment announcement, Breakr introduced a new instant pay feature known as BreakrPay that permits companies to fund campaigns immediately, ensuring that influencers are compensated in real-time.
Virgin Music Group Nigeria has joined forces with Ghanian distribution and integrated label services firm RainLabs. As part of this partnership, Virgin will assist in delivering extensive support for African artists through digital distribution, marketing, creative production, and brand collaborations. RainLabs’ roster features Joey B, Cina Soul, and Baaba J.
Warner Music Group’s ADA distribution and artist services division has collaborated with Berlin-based neoclassical label Aemeralds, which is dedicated to enhancing composers’ brands via social media marketing, composer camps, and playlists. Under the terms of this partnership, Aemeralds will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Warner Classics marketing team for localized services and global expertise.
Under an expanded naming rights partnership between the City of Bakersfield, Calif., and Dignity Health, the downtown venue previously referred to as Centennial Garden and then Mechanics Bank Arena will be renamed Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center starting next month. The facility includes a 10,000-capacity arena, a 3,000-seat theater, and a 17,840-square-foot convention center.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
