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THE RIGHTS OF ARTISTS AND SONGWRITERS POST-ASSIGNMENT - PERFORMER AND MORAL RIGHTS Copyright provides creators with control over that which they create, but what happens when the creators themselves don't own the copyright in their work? Artists and songwriters who are no longer in control of their copyrights do still have some rights, sometimes by contract, and via performer and moral rights. CMU Trends considers what the law says about the rights of artists and songwriters after their copyrights have been assigned. [READ MORE] |
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THE VALUE OF MUSIC Rarely a week goes by in the music business news these days without at least one catalogue acquisition. But who - other than labels and publishers - is buying music rights, and why? Are there opportunities for individual artists and songwriters to do deals with professional investors? And how do you even value music rights? CMU Trends reviews the music rights market - past, present and future. [READ MORE] |
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MAKING MONEY FROM MUSIC MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE While the challenges faced by the music industry - and especially the record industry - since the mainstream adoption of the internet in the early 2000s have been widely documented, the music media - and especially the music press - has faced many of the same challenges too. CMU Trends reviews recent developments and trends in the music media business, and the ongoing challenges faced by media owners. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | Toni Basil goes legal over Mickey syncs READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LIVE BUSINESS | Man dies after running into fire at Burning Man Eventbrite completes Ticketfly acquisition READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DIGITAL & D2F SERVICES | New video strategy at Spotify following Tom Calderone's departure READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| MEDIA | Radio 1 reveals more information about 50th anniversary plans READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | Steely Dan's Walter Becker dies New Michael Hutchence documentary to "make headlines" READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Squeeze announce new album, The Knowledge READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Tom Jones postpones US tour on doctors' orders READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | "Go fuck yourselves": Kid Rock denies breaking US election laws READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
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DOMINO RECORDS - SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Domino Recording Co is looking for a Senior International Marketing Manager with five years+ proven experience in international marketing and promotions, including the running of global campaigns. The International Marketing Manager’s core responsibility is to oversee international campaigns for our artists from the inception of the campaign strategy to rollout. For more information and to apply click here. |
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CLAPHAM GRAND - SALES & MARKETING CHAMPION (LONDON) We are looking for a sales driven marketing expert to join our growing promotions team at The Grand, continuing our 117 years record of putting on world class entertainment; ensuring not only that our events are seen and heard by as many people as possible, but that those people are converted to loyal customers through your excellent marketing. For more information and to apply click here. |
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NUCLEAR BLAST - PRESS OFFICER (LONDON) London office for well-established rock/metal label is looking for a dynamic and creative Press Officer to handle PR for it’s rapidly diversifying roster. The ideal candidate should have at least two years experience in a similar role with existing contacts within the rock/metal media. For more information and to apply click here. |
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9PR - JUNIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER (LONDON) 9PR are looking for a Junior Account Manager to work across print and online. Suitable candidates must have a demonstrable understanding of PR and ideally some music industry experience. This is an excellent opportunity within one of the UK’s leading music PR companies. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KILIMANJARO LIVE - BOX OFFICE MANAGERS (MANCHESTER) Kilimanjaro Live are looking for two experienced box office managers to work on a brand new family adventure in Manchester for a fixed term period, starting 25 Sep. There is the potential for the roles to be extended to include the London run following this period. For more information and to apply click here. |
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SJM CONCERTS - VIP MANAGER/CO-ORDINATOR (MANCHESTER) SJM offer exclusive VIP ticket packages across many of our major tours for artists such as Take That, One Direction, Little Mix and Coldplay which over the last year has amounted to over 60,000 packages. We are seeking a dynamic, self-motivated individual to successfully manage and develop our VIP department. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE ORCHARD - SENIOR LABEL MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard needs a Senior Label Manager who will be the first point of contact for a number of labels, artists and managers. Working with internal and external teams, you will craft, create and coordinate effective and bespoke campaigns, over a number of different projects and across different musical genres. For more information and to apply click here. |
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LEX RECORDS - DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Lex Records are looking for a full-time Digital Marketing Manager to work from our North London office. You would be working as part of the team to present our music to the public and helping to join up promo with sales. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE DELTIC GROUP - SOCIAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT MANAGER (MILTON KEYNES) The Deltic Group are looking for a Social Media Department Manager to develop and shape the company's social media and marketing activity, working across 58 bars and clubs including well-known brands such as PRYZM, ATIK and Bar & Beyond. This is a newly created role and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to build a social media team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE DELTIC GROUP - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER (MILTON KEYNES) The Deltic Group are looking for Social Media Managers to manage, maintain and grow the company's social communities of circa 1.5 million 18-25-year olds. This is a new team of five that is being formed in order to deliver great content to inspire our social communities and deliver our social strategy. For more information and to apply click here. |
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NAME PR - PRESS ASSISTANT/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE (LONDON) Name PR is looking to hire a Press Assistant/Account Executive. This is a fantastic opportunity for a bright individual with exceptional writing ability and a good grasp of the music business to work on some of the most interesting music issues and developments across the globe. For more information and to apply click here. |
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Digital Deals, Dollars And Trends - Explained! MASTERCLASS | Monday 18 September 2017, London | INFO This half day masterclass, presented by CMU MD and Business Editor Chris Cooke, will explain how digital music platforms are licensed and royalties distributed, as well as reviewing the digital market in 2017 and which services are leading in terms of users and revenue. |
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How The Music Business Works SEMINARS | from Monday 25 September 2017, London | INFO Our 'How The Music Business Works' programme consists of eight two-hour seminars which together cover: the various ways the music industry generates revenue, building and engaging a fanbase, the business partnerships artists form with music companies, and how the artist/label relationship is changing. |
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Enforcing Music Rights - Safe Harbours And Piracy MASTERCLASS | Monday 20 November 2017, London | INFO In this half day masterclass, CMU MD and Business Editor Chris Cooke will look at how the music industry enforces its copyrights, at the long-running battle with online music piracy, and at the controversy around the copyright safe harbour. |
Toni Basil goes legal over Mickey syncs
Toni Basil has sued Disney and Viacom, among others, in a lawsuit over the syncing of her hit 'Mickey' which, she alleges, required her permission. Not only was she not consulted about the sync deals, she says, but she wasn't even aware the track had been used in TV shows like 'South Park' and 'Ru Paul's Drag Race', and for an ad campaign by American clothing chain Forever 21, until relatively recently.
Choreographer Basil, still probably best known for her 1982 hit 'Mickey' - a rework of a song by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn called 'Kitty' - is mainly taking aim at the music firm Razor & Tie, which claims to currently control her record. Though some of the companies which synced the track are also listed as defendants.
The case all centres on two old record contracts with the label that originally put out the record, UK-based Radial Choice. Basil's lawsuit, filed in LA on Thursday, includes two main arguments. First that her contracts with Radial Choice gave her a veto over sync deals. And second that various deals that assigned and licensed the master rights in the track after Radial Choice went under in the mid-1980s were invalid.
Lawyers working for Basil say that their client has been "despondent and physically ill" since discovering the various TV programmes and ads that had featured her record. The Forever 21 sync comes in for particular criticism, because it was for a range of Disney products and therefore associated her song with Mickey Mouse. "Basil would never consent to the use of her voice, persona, image or name coupled with Disney products", last week's lawsuit states.
It's not the only reference to Basil's persona and image being exploited in the syncs, ie in addition to the copyright in the record. "Basil's brand and identity is intertwined with her song 'Mickey'", the legal papers argue. "Basil is protective of her brand, and her signature song is known as a cheerleading anthem and an 80s one hit wonder. A reasonable consumer would be lead to believe Basil had approved and/or endorsed [any programme or product using the record]".
The lawsuit requests a jury trial, and seeks both damages and an injunction blocking future exploitation of 'Mickey' without Basil's consent.
Man dies after running into fire at Burning Man
Organisers of the Burning Man festival yesterday provided 'emotional support teams' for both participants and staff following the death of a man who ran into the large fire from which the event takes it name, where an effigy of a giant man is set ablaze. Aaron Joel Mitchell, a US citizen who lived in Switzerland, pushed pass two sets of security on Saturday night in order to run into the burning structure.
Fire personnel attempted to rescue the man, but were hindered as elements of the framework that had been set alight began to fall, and ultimately had to wait until the much of the burning structure was down in order to pull him from the blaze. According to CNN, Mitchell was then airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California, but was confirmed dead on Sunday morning.
The Sheriff of Pershing County, which includes the part of Nevada's Black Rock Desert where the annual cultural gathering takes place, told reporters: "Our hearts and prayers go out to Aaron's family during this unexpected tragedy". He said the incident was a "tragedy" for everyone at the festival, and especially for the "juveniles who are allowed to attend the festival and may not have the same coping skills as adults do when they see something this tragic happen before their eyes".
Burning Man organisers said that some of the 'burns' that form part of the event's programme had been cancelled on Sunday, but that the large 'temple burn' at the climax of the festival last night would go ahead as planned.
In a statement on their website, organisers stated: "Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, succumbed Sunday morning to injuries suffered after breaking through a safety perimeter Saturday night and running into a fire at the annual Burning Man event in northern Nevada. Mr Mitchell's family has been advised of his death. Burning Man is working with local and federal law enforcement agencies, and an investigation is currently ongoing".
They went on: "We're aware this incident has affected not only those who responded immediately on the scene, but also those who witnessed it, and our community more broadly. We are working to make resources available to those affected".
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Eventbrite completes Ticketfly acquisition
Eventbrite has competed its acquisition of Ticketfly, the US-based ticketing company previously owned by streaming firm Pandora. As previously reported, Pandora put its ticketing business up for sale as part of a strategic review ahead of a change in senior management at the digital music set-up.
Self-service ticketing platform Eventbrite says that its $200 million acquisition of Ticketfly will create a combined platform that can "deliver the market-defining solution for independent venues, promoters and festivals".
Similar to Eventbrite's acquisition of Ticketscript earlier this year, the new deal further boosts the former's position in the music side of the ticketing business, only this time in the US rather than Europe. As part of the acquisition, Ticketfly co-founder Andrew Dreskin will join Eventbrite to lead its music efforts.
Eventbrite CEO Julia Hartz said this weekend: "The union of Eventbrite and Ticketfly changes the game for the music industry. Our respective customers will benefit immensely from access to the best of what each company brings to the table. Eventbrite's proven track record of innovation and global scale combined with Ticketfly's deep industry relationships and domain expertise is underpinned by a shared commitment to independence, and unparalleled service to our customers".
Meanwhile Dreskin added: "We are happy to be teaming up with our friends at Eventbrite. This deal brings together the two most progressive live event technology companies to form a powerhouse for independent music venues and promoters the world over. We will combine the best of both our platforms into one game-changing solution, the likes of which has never before been seen. This is going to be a heck of a lot of fun!"
Pandora originally acquired Ticketfly in 2015 as part of a bid to widen the loss-making company's potential revenue streams - the plan being to utilise the digital music firm's data and platform to promote gigs to its significant subscriber-base of music fans Stateside. Ticketfly plans to continue to partner with Pandora in this way despite the change in ownership.
New video strategy at Spotify following Tom Calderone's departure
Remember that Spotify series that put a rapper and a producer in a van together during the LA rush hour and demanded they collaborate on a track to play to a bunch of fans waiting at the van's destination?
No, me neither. But don't try too hard trying to remember Spotify's original video series 'Traffic Jams', because it seems the streaming firm has now abandoned its ambitions to be a short-from telly show maker on the side.
Or at least that's what people are assuming following the departure of the company's Head Of Original Video, Tom Calderone, last week. Spotify isn't giving up on video entirely, but comments from its spokesperson following Calderone's departure implies future video content will be built around the most successful playlists on the streaming platform, and will probably be more closely linked to new music releases. Which will please the labels.
Although its biggest competitor in terms of users is a video platform - ie YouTube - it's never been entirely clear how video fits into the Spotify ecosystem, given it's an app most people have playing primarily in the background.
That said, when it comes to the ad-funded side of the Spotify business, big brands will often add an extra zero to a budget when they can see rather than just hear the content their marketing dollars are funding. Nevertheless, despite projects like 'Traffic Jams', it's never felt that Spotify is particularly pushing its video content to the fore.
Former VH1 exec Calderone also had podcasts under his remit, and it is thought they remain a priority for Spotify. Podcasts, of course, fit in much better with the radio-style lean-back experience most people want from the streaming platform.
We know for certain that Spotify's podcast selection will be boosted once again later this month when the mighty CMU Podcast returns - which is the main reason I can think of for clicking on the podcasts button within the streaming service.
Radio 1 reveals more information about 50th anniversary plans
The BBC has announced more details about the 50th anniversary celebrations planned for Radio 1 which, as previously reported, will centre on a three-day pop-up radio station that will be feature clips from the station's archives.
Radio 1 Vintage will kick off on 30 Sep with the also previously reported recreation of Tony Blackburn's first ever Radio 1 breakfast show. That will be followed by Blackburn and current R1 breakfast DJ Nick Grimshaw teaming up for 90 minutes not only on the pop-up station, but also on Radios 1 and 2.
After that, Radio 1 Vintage will dedicate an hour to an assortment of former DJs, including Annie Nightingale, Kenny Everett, Mike Read, Simon Mayo, Sara Cox, Bob Harris, Mark And Lard, Kevin Greening, Dave Pearce, Pete Tong, Johnnie Walker, Janice Long, Steve Wright, Mary Anne Hobbs, the Dreem Teem, Tommy Vance and Tim Westwood.
There'll also be hours dedicated to the old 'Radio 1 Roadshow', the old 'Radio 1 Chart Show' and the old comedy shows Radio 1 had in the 1990s. The whole thing will then finale with an hour of John Peel.
Says Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper of the 50th anniversary celebrations: "My parents bought me a radio when I was eight years old, and I have listened to Radio 1 ever since. It was a childhood dream to work for the station, so it is a pleasure and a privilege to be Controller as we celebrate 50 years of being the soundtrack to young people's lives".
Meanwhile Johnny Beerling, a long-time Radio 1 exec who was Controller from 1985 to 1993, has recalled his time at the station, which was launched by the BBC in 1967 to take on the pop radio pirates. "In my 26 years at Radio 1 I was privileged to see it grow from an under resourced, poor replacement for the pirates into the biggest and best pop and rock music station in the world, entertaining over 20 million listeners a week", he noted.
"I was lucky enough to be Controller at the peak of its success", he went on, before name-checking some of the DJs who aired on his watch. "Stars like Kenny Everett, Tony Blackburn, Noel Edmonds and John Peel became household names and they were just a few of the diverse and inventive range of DJs who reflected the thriving UK music scene".
"'The Radio 1 Roadshow' became synonymous with British seaside family holidays, while the recordings we made in our own studios of established bands became sought-after by collectors worldwide. It's impossible to condense it all into a short tribute but it is an incredible story of popular music radio that will never be bettered or repeated".
Steely Dan's Walter Becker dies
Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker has died, aged 67, his website announced yesterday.
Becker had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed medical issue in recent months, which had caused him to miss some recent live performances. In an interview last month, bandmate Donald Fagen told Billboard that Becker was "recovering from a procedure and hopefully he'll be fine very soon".
In a statement to Rolling Stone yesterday, Fagen said of his friend and songwriting partner of 50 years: "He was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter. He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny ... I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band".
Steely Dan are currently scheduled to play in Dublin and London in October.
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New Michael Hutchence documentary to "make headlines"
A new documentary about late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence is set to air on Australia's Seven TV network later this year, marking the 20th anniversary of the singer's death. Its executive producer, Mark Llewellyn, promises that the film "will make headlines around the world".
Titled 'The Last Rockstar', the film has been two years in the making and will feature previously unseen photographs and video of Hutchence, as well as what is believed to be the last set of lyrics he wrote on the night of his death. Somewhat more boldly, Llewellyn claims that the film will clear up many of the unanswered questions surrounding Hutchence's final hours.
In a statement, Llewellyn said: "This is not Michael Hutchence defined by how he died but by how he lived: a brilliant musician, a brilliant man, a loving father, a true rock star. This is not a biopic treading over old territory - this will make headlines around the world. Michael left more questions than answers when he left us, and this documentary will provide those answers and much, much more".
Squeeze announce new album, The Knowledge
Squeeze have announced that they will release a new album, 'The Knowledge', next month. Sadly not a rock opera about London's black cab drivers, it's just a load of songs that Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook wrote, like any other Squeeze album. Instead, its USP, they reckon, is that it's really good.
"It is such a pleasure to say that in 2017 we have delivered our best ever record", barks Tilbrook.
Meanwhile, Difford squeaks: "Playing back the album I can feel the love we still have as songwriters, and for each other. It's been some journey, and I hope it goes on for many years to come".
The first single is 'Innocence In Paradise', of which Difford says: "I'm so proud of this song. I don't think we have reached this kind of musical bonding in a very long time".
'Innocence In Paradise' is out now. The album will be released on 13 Oct. The band will also be touring the UK to ribbons next month. Here are the dates:
5 Oct: Rhyl Pavilion
6 Oct: Birmingham Symphony Hall
7 Oct: Birmingham Symphony Hall
9 Oct: Milton Keynes Theatre
10 Oct: St David's Hall, Cardiff
12 Oct: Brighton Dome
13 Oct: Bristol, Colston Hall
14: Oct: Leicester, De Montford Hall
16 Oct: Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre
19 Oct: Ipswich, Regent Theatre
20 Oct: Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
21 Oct: London, IndigO2
23 Oct: Reading, Hexagon Theatre
24 Oct: Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
26 Oct: Sheffield, City Hall
27 Oct: Cambridge, Corn Exchange
28 Oct: Harrogate International Centre
30 Oct: Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
31 Oct: Edinburgh, Usher Hall
2 Nov: Gateshead, Sage 1
3 Nov: Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
4 Nov: Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
6 Nov: London, Royal Albert Hall
Tom Jones postpones US tour on doctors' orders
Tom Jones has postponed a US tour due to begin this week, pushing dates back to May and June next year. In a statement, the singer said that the decision had been taken upon "medical advice".
A statement reads: "Following medical advice, Sir Tom Jones has announced that he will unfortunately be postponing his US tour, which was due to commence in Bethlehem, PA on Wednesday 6 Sep. Dates are being rescheduled for May and June 2018 and all tickets will remain valid for the new dates, details of which will follow as soon as possible".
Shortly before the postponement, Jones announced Welsh acoustic duo Into The Ark as his support act for the US shows. They have already confirmed that they will appear at the rescheduled dates.
"Go fuck yourselves": Kid Rock denies breaking US election laws
Kid Rock has responded to claims that his bid to be elected to the US Senate may already be in violation of federal election laws. The musician says that this is incorrect, because he hasn't actually officially announced his bid to be elected to the Senate yet. So no laws have been broken. No sir.
Actually, the lack of an official announcement may be the problem. US political watchdog Common Cause recently called upon Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to investigate whether apparently campaigning to become Michigan's representative in the Senate without officially registering to do so was a breach of election rules.
The musician has been publicly toying with the idea of vying for a seat in the Senate for a while, and Common Cause has urged Sessions and Rosenstein to investigate whether that public toying constitutes campaigning. If it does, that might violate the law, because it would mean Kid Rock, real name Robert Ritchie, was acting as a Senate candidate without officially registering his candidacy.
As previously reported, Kid Rock launched a website to promote his 'campaign' earlier this year, and has been selling merch emblazoned 'Kid Rock For US Senate'. If he doesn't intend to stand, then that's just a bit weird. If he does, it could be breaking the rules.
Anyway, as the media picked up on all of this last week, Kid Rock took to his website to stave off any criticism. "I am starting to see reports from the misinformed press and the fake news on how I am in violation of breaking campaign law", he wrote. "#1 I have still not officially announced my candidacy. #2 See #1 and go fuck yourselves".
Some of the well-informed and reasoned political debating we may or may not be able to look forward to from Mr Rock there.
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