Merlin and IMPALA Launch Weidenmuller Sustainability Fund to Support Independent Music Sector's Transition 22 Apr 2025
IMPALA is a leading advocate on sustainability in the music sector, building a strong track record that includes the first-ever Climate Charter for the industry as well as the Business Case for Taking Sustainability Action. This new joint initiative reinforces Merlin’s commitment to equipping independent rightsholders with forward-looking strategies that address emerging industry challenges. By supporting tools like IMPALA’s Carbon Calculator (the world's first bespoke calculator designed for independent record labels) and investing in scalable infrastructure, the fund reinforces how sustainability is a source of resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.
Together, Merlin and IMPALA are reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental responsibility, equity, and innovation —values that Horst championed throughout his life.
NEWS & PRESS
hmv goes Dutch with new store in The Hague to open before end of the year
Music and popular culture retailer hmv is planning to open its first store in The Netherlands with a new site in The Hague in the latter stages of development. The new store will open its doors before the end of...more
Building on the momentum of its inaugural landmark edition SXSW London Announces it is Open for Business for 2026
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Independent Venue Week announce Nova Twins as 2026 Artist Ambassadors
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Leading Entertainment Execs Launch Unit1 Studio, The World's First Independent Avatar Concert Producer
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PPL announces Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as new Chair
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2AM introduces Lenny, the first AI agent redefining audience engagement in live entertainment
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Tickets For Good bolsters international growth with appointment of veteran ticketing executive Henk Schuit as European board advisor
The ADE Conference Startups alumni reveals latest Netherlands expansion news. TfG boasts almost 600k registered healthcare workers, teachers, and charity workers across UK, EU and U.S. It's distributed 1million+ free and discounted tickets from 1,000+ live event partners, including Dua Lipa, Idles,...more
KiTbetter and Duran Duran Deliver First-Ever Dolby Atmos Upgrade to a Physical Album
Groundbreaking upgrade to 2023's 'Danse Macabre: De Luxe' KiTalbum marks a new era for physical-digital music formats KiTbetter, the company reshaping physical music for the digital era, today announced a world first: the upgrade of a previously released physical album to...more
Yoto Launches David Bowie Card: Introducing the Legendary Artist to a New Generation
Yoto's latest addition to its growing popular music offering is filled with the immortal icon's classic songs Yoto, the award-winning audio platform for kids, today announced the launch of a new Yoto card featuring the timeless work of David Bowie. With...more
The Other Songs announce team expansion
Global independent music and entertainment company The Other Songs have announced the exciting expansion of their team as they recruit music industry executives Louis Brown, joining as General Manager, and Raju Watts, joining as Financial Director. Speaking on today’s news, founders...more
Day Fever partners with Ticketmaster’s Universe
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Simon Dunmore Partners with Armada Music to Launch New Label, NBT Records
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Moises and Cory Henry Launch Global Music Competition with $50,000 in Prizes
Jam Sessions Invites Musicians Worldwide to Reimagine GRAMMY Winner's Track Through AI-Powered Tools Moises, Apple's 2024 iPad App of the Year, today launched Jam Sessions, a global music competition connecting artists, producers, and creators through AI-powered music technology. The inaugural edition...more
rightsHUB unveils tool to transform data ingestion process, signs Artist Theory alongside deal renewals with Believe, Defected and others
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Madi Diaz signs global co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Crush Music Publishing
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Warner Chappell Music Signs Victor Le Masne
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Impala's fifth equity, diversity, and inclusion report: Reaffirming commitment to a more inclusive music industry
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DJ brands unite to launch OneLibrary
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Dancefloor launches the Nightlife Dividend Programme to support grassroots venues and promoters
A recent report by The Night Time Industries Association suggests rising costs and ongoing pressures mean the UK is losing three nightclubs every week and will have none left by 2030. To help the fight for survival of independent venues...more
Beatoven.ai Expands Maestro to Generative Sound Effects, Bringing Licensed AI Audio to Film, Games, and Beyond
Fully licensed, fairly trained generative AI cinematic sound effects now available to creatives via Beatoven.ai and its latest API is now available for enterprises via Fal.ai The footsteps, howls, splashes, and zips that make media come alive are the secret to a...more
PRS Foundation congratulates Mercury Music Prize winner Sam Fender
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FEAT AGM: Confirms promoter-approved resale policy and continued campaign for stronger enforcement of DSA
1000 illegally listed tickets reported across 2025 without a single response from unauthorised resale websites Largest annual conference to date held in Barcelona, with over 20 attendees from eight countries The Face-value European Alliance for Ticketing (FEAT) held its annual general meeting...more
Warner Music and Merwas sign partnership
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Aussie breakout risers FOOL NELSON sign to AWAL and release new EP 'Bad Dreams'
Hailing from Perth, Australia, indie rock trio Fool Nelson have signed a global record deal with AWAL and today release new EP 'Bad Dreams'. Through blistering riffs, heart-on-sleeve lyricism and rollicking choruses, 'Bad Dreams' cements Fool Nelson's place as one of Australia's most exciting young...more
The Circuit Group Launches Red Wire Publishing
The Circuit Group, a powerhouse collective of world-class artist managers turning creative vision into global ventures for iconic artists, today announced the launch of Red Wire Publishing, a new division dedicated to providing boutique music publishing services to artists and...more
FUGA and Naxos Music Group Expand Partnership
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AlphaTheta announces Equal Beats podcast series
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UK Music Chief Executive response to BBC Survey
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has responded to the findings of a new BBC survey published today revealing that 22% of the British public want to see more music on the BBC: “From the Proms to Glastonbury, the BBC relies...more
Introducing the TikTok Awards UK & Ireland 2025 with headline partner Sky: New Era. New icons.
Today, we're thrilled to announce the return of the TikTok Awards UK & Ireland 2025 with headline partner Sky, one of Europe’s leading entertainment and connectivity companies. This TikTok star studded event will be attended by guests from across the TikTok community and...more
Scotland’s national music prize - The Say Award - announces 10 albums on shortlist
PLUS, KT TUNSTALL’S ‘EYE TO THE TELESCOPE’ ANNOUNCED AS MODERN SCOTTISH CLASSIC AWARD WINNER AND SOUND OF YOUNG SCOTLAND FINALISTS REVEALED STREAM THE SHORTLIST www.sayaward.com #SAYaward The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has today unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and...more
THE HEADLINES
Omdia tips music publishers’ revenues to hit $10bn this year (see Reports)
Unit1 Studio launches offering potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs (see Digital)
Are we still in the music business? When your POV is worth more than your mp3s (see Opinion)
Is rock’n’roll dead? (see Features)
Book extract: Body Of Work: How The Album Outplayed The Algorithm And Survived Playlist Culture (see Comment)
With MTV channels switching off, is the music video under threat? (see Features)
Spotify partnering with multinational music companies to develop ‘responsible’ AI products (see Digital)
Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury Prize (see News)
Spotify working on ‘SongDNA’ feature that showcases the people behind tracks (see Digital)
How far should cultural boycotts go? (see Features)
How Subvert is building a co-op owned Bandcamp alternative (see Digital)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG’s strategy for generative AI partnerships and product development (see News)
The future of music streaming: Change or be changed (see Comment)
Sam Altman: the man who stole the rights from copyright. If he’s the future, can we go backwards? (see Features)
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl discusses the company's “tremendous catalogue” (see Features)
There’s a £1 idea that could save small music venues. Is Live Nation holding it back? (see Features)
Breaking down the arguments around VMG’s Downtown Music acquisition (see Analysis)
Vevo report shows how fandom turns passion into impact and purchasing power (see Reports)