Openplay expands suite of catalog management services with launch of Openplay Reach 12 Mar 2025
Industry veteran Bob Barbiere appointed EVP and General Manager of OpenPlay Reach to expand the coverage, features and functionality of the platform
OpenPlay, the music industry's leading catalog management platform and business engine, announces a further expansion of its capabilities with the addition of OpenPlay Reach. The new service is designed to support the seamless end-to-end delivery, distribution, management and monetization of music and video assets. Industry veteran Bob Barbiere has joined OpenPlay as EVP and General Manager of OpenPlay Reach, bringing decades of expertise in music technology, distribution and rights management.
OpenPlay Reach further advances OpenPlay's mission to provide labels and publishers with the industry's most advanced and complete music business engine. Reach not only seamlessly unifies the management of music and video for thousands of labels, the platform powers a completely new approach to how assets are distributed, tracked and monetized; particularly important with the increase in music and video services and rise of user-generated content.
Labels and publishers currently managing millions of assets on OpenPlay can use Reach's advanced digital delivery system selecting the distribution option that fits their objectives best, at a label, artist or even individual release basis. This optionality makes OpenPlay Reach unique in the distribution space offering labels a choice of their own provider or OpenPlay's own direct DSP delivery program. This not only gives labels better control over their assets and data, it reduces costs while optimizing royalty margins and revenues.
Edward Ginis, Co-Founder and Chief Client Officer of OpenPlay, said: "From our years working in music rights management, we at OpenPlay understood and anticipated the growing complexity of the digitized music industry early on, prompting us to develop a comprehensive solution from the ground up to unify music and video management, distribution and monetization.
"With the addition of OpenPlay Reach to our suite of services, we are progressing our vision to give rights owners the independence to take asset management decisions with complete control. Bob Barbiere's leadership will be key in driving this expansion forward and ensuring that content can be managed, delivered and monetized at scale."
Barbiere is a recognized leader in music, rights and technology previously in executive roles at Dubset Media Holdings and Pex while also serving as an advisor and board member to companies and industry organizations including the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM), Sureel.ai, RoyaltyAmp, and Music Rightz. He brings deep experience in licensing, digital distribution and rights administration, and as EVP and General Manager of OpenPlay Reach he will oversee strategic growth and global expansion.
"OpenPlay has absolutely set the standard for music and video asset management and distribution, which is why I am excited to be joining Edward and his team at this inflection point in music," notes the EVP and General Manager of OpenPlay Reach, Bob Barbiere. "Reach is both well-conceived and uniquely timed. Labels and publishers are not only trying to keep up with the growing use of their catalog and rapidly expanding number of consumer touch points, they are being fiscally challenged to get more accomplished with less. While OpenPlay now powers the back office of thousands of labels and publishers, it's been one of music's best kept secrets... but with the introduction of Reach, it will not be a secret much longer."
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THE HEADLINES
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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)
The music industry must plan for the day when AI music-generation tools produce humanlike music in bulk (see Features)
Price cap on ticket resales set to be introduced (see News)
Raye and Sony’s Jon Platt speak out for songwriters at Ivors Academy Honours Ceremony (see News)
Does Daniel Ek deserve to be the richest ever man in music? (see Comment)
Independent music community publishes '100 Voices' on why Universal’s acquisition of Downtown should be blocked (see News)
Universal and Warner said to be close to landmark AI licensing deals (see News)
Industry leaders outline challenges to Creative Industries Minister (see News)
Spotify isn’t broken, it’s working exactly as intended (see Comment)