Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund commits $1 million to Los Angeles Relief efforts 13 Jan 2025
At the same time, Warner Music Group is working to ensure the safety of its team members. For employees who have had to evacuate their homes, the company is helping to support their emergency accommodations and food expenses. The company is also contributing to donation drives and volunteering efforts.
Len Blavatnik, Head of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, said "The destruction and loss of life brought by these wildfires are unimaginable. By supporting these organizations, we're helping to direct funds to those most in need."
Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group, said "We're joining the relief efforts to help the community in LA, while aiding the firefighters in their brave battle. Los Angeles is home to so much determination, resourcefulness, and creativity, and its powerful story is inextricably interwoven with ours. We're determined to support the people of this extraordinary city."
Over the last four years, the Fund has supported organizations around the globe that build more just and equitable communities and create real change in the lives of historically underserved and marginalized people, principally Black populations. The Fund's sustained, long-term investments have focused on three key strategic pillars: education, arts and culture, and criminal justice reform, with the belief that work in these areas will aid in dismantling structural racism and advancing equity and justice for all people.
NEWS & PRESS
The London Music Fund and YouTube to expand ground-breaking Amplify funding programme to Liverpool in 2025
Award-winning music education charity, the London Music Fund announces an expansion of its grassroots funding programme in partnership with YouTube. This fund supports small organisations providing training opportunities within the music industry, widening access to creative pathways for young people who face...more
Tomas Talarico appointed Managing Director of Warner Music Southern Cone
Respected exec Guillermo Castellani has stepped down Tomás Talarico has been named as the new Managing Director of Warner Music Southern Cone, overseeing the record company's business in Argentina and Chile. Talarico has taken up the role this week as the...more
Impala pays tribute to board member Horst Weidenmuller, CEO and founder of !K7 Music and founder of Impala's sustainability task force
The board of IMPALA celebrates the life of Horst Weidenmüller, noting his legacy for the independent music sector as IMPALA board member from 2003 (vice-president until 2011) and board member of Merlin, as well as founder of IMPALA's sustainability task...more
Ballantine's re-appoint M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment
After a fiercely competitive pitch process that started with 5 agencies, Ballantine's has re-appointed M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment for its global music partnerships work, which was put out to pitch after 10 years of collaboration. Entertainment Managing Partner Nicola Murray...more
Vicki McCall launches new radio promotions company, On Aire
Respected radio promotions executive, Vicki McCall, has launched her new company, On Aire. With nearly a decade of experience in the business, McCall is setting out to bring a fresh and thoughtful approach to radio campaigns, prioritising artists’ long-term growth and...more
Warner Music Group completes its acquisition of Africori
Africori Founder, Yoel Kenan, will continue as CEO Warner Music Group (WMG) has today announced that it has completed its full acquisition of Africori, the leading independent African distributor that represents more than 7,000 artists. Africori will continue to operate as a...more
The Hello Group Publishing Renews Global Deal With Sony Music Publishing
The Hello Group Publishing and Sony Music Publishing Benelux today announced the renewal of their multi-year creative partnership. The deal will see SMP elevating global support to THG Publishing – the music publishing division of The Hello Group – across...more
From Side Hustle to Spotlight: How GigSalad Helps Performers Book More Events
Any event can be elevated with the right live entertainment. With over 110,000 entertainers and vendors spanning 500+ categories of talent, GigSalad is the platform that musicians, performers, and event service providers turn to for their next gig. As the...more
Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy appointed new Chair of Power of Music Consortium - takes over from Tom Kiehl from UK Music
The Power of Music Consortium (for health and wellbeing) has appointed a new Chair, Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy. The Consortium has also shared its collective thanks to outgoing Chair Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK...more
Little Simz just announced as curator for Southbank Centre's Meltdown 2025
The Southbank Centre has announced Little Simz as the curator of the 30th edition of its iconic contemporary music festival, Meltdown. Joining an unparalleled list of previous curators, including some of the world’s most famous artists, Little Simz will curate a boundary-breaking line-up for the eleven day festival...more
Nordoff and Robbins announces the first wave of winners for the 2025 O2 Silver Clef Awards
Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has announced the first wave of winners for the 2025 O2 Silver Clef Awards. This year’s honourees include: David Gilmour – O2 Silver Clef Award IDLES – Best Live Act (sponsored by Uber...more
Sabrina Carpenter to receive prestigious Global Success award and perform at The BRIT Awards 2025 with Mastercard
Joining previously announced performers JADE, Myles Smith, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and The Last Dinner Party Today's news was revealed exclusively on the BRITs WhatsApp channel The BRIT Awards 2025 with MastercardSaturday 1st March, The O2 arena in LondonHosted by Jack WhitehallExclusively broadcast...more
Universal Music Greater China strikes exclusive global alliance with Liu Huan, timeless icon of Chinese pop music
Universal Music Greater China (UMGC), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announces an exclusive global agreement with Liu Huan, a legendary artist who has shaped Chinese pop music for four decades. Renowned domestically...more
UK electro-punk act Shelf Lives sign worldwide admin agreement with Cooking Vinyl Publishing
Cooking Vinyl Publishing is delighted to announce the signing of UK electro punk duo Shelf Lives to a worldwide administration agreement. Shelf Lives, made up of Canadian Sabrina Di Giulio and Northamptoner Jonny Hillyard, formed in the midst of the Covid...more
Alfonso Perez-Soto and Michael Lobiondo appointed to Corporate Development team at WMG
Pair provide dealmaking expertise across recorded music and music publishing Warner Music Group (WMG) has strengthened its Corporate Development team, with Alfonso Perez-Soto named EVP, Corporate Development, focusing on Recorded Music, and Michael LoBiondo appointed SVP, Corporate Development, focussing on Publishing. The...more
Reading & Leeds Announces Biggest Camping Overhaul in UK Festival History
Rockstar Energy presents Reading & Leeds Festival have announced details of a historic overhaul to its camping offering - marking the biggest site change at the festivals in its 55 year history and the biggest shake-up that UK festival camping...more
Night Time Economy Market Tracker Report: £153.91bn Industry Faces Growth Slowdown Amid Rising Costs & Tax Increases
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and CGA by NIQ have launched a quarterly Night Time Economy Market Monitor. This new report series highlights the economic impact, challenges, and evolving consumer trends in the hospitality industry.The New Night Time Economy...more
Concord Music Publishing announces promotions of Kourtney Kirkpatrick and Matt Turner
Promotions from Concord Music Publishing’s Sync and A&R team in Nashville boost recent successes from the catalog and active roster Today, Concord Music Publishing announced two notable executive level promotions in the Nashville office: Kourtney Kirkpatrick has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Synchronization and Matt Turner has...more
Downtown Music Publishing Extends Partnership with Tori Amos Amid Raft of Renewals
Downtown Music Publishing Build on Success with Expanded Partnerships Worldwide, including Tori Amos, Tim Kellett, Remi Kabaka, Les Claypool and the heirs of George Gershwin Downtown Music Publishing announces a raft of expansions and renewals - including a renewed partnership with...more
Warner Music Group and Spotify Announce New Multi-Year Agreement to Fuel Growth and Innovation
Spotify and Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced a new, multi-year agreement, which covers both Recorded Music and Music Publishing. Through the deal, the two companies strengthen their joint commitment to artists, songwriters, and fans, as well as the...more
Teddy Swims signs with Peermusic Neighbouring Rights
Peermusic, the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighbouring rights company with 39 offices in 32 countries and 200+ employees worldwide, has signed Teddy Swims to collect worldwide (ex-U.S.) for his neighbouring rights, as announced today by Mary Megan Peer, CEO, Peermusic. From...more
Coca-Cola and KOKO join forces to deliver an unparalleled 360-degree platform, amplifying emerging artists to a global stage
A new, class-leading Coca-Cola Recording Studio backstage at KOKO enables artists to create, record and perform, all in one building A new Coca-Cola Box in the iconic KOKO theatre will provide music fans exclusive access to live performances from their favourite...more
The Record Store Day 2025 list has landed!
A bumper year of exclusives and limited editions to support the UK’s independent record shops Oasis joins this year’s Record Store Day lineup with Time Flies…(1994-2009), reissued on vinyl for the first time since 2010, just ahead of Oasis Live ’25! Taylor Swift...more
Tickets for Good expands into Europe, partners with ie:Music for Robbie Williams 2025 tour
Tickets for Good (TfG), a mission-based company offering affordable event tickets to healthcare workers, teachers, charity staff and other people facing economic barriers to access, has expanded into the Netherlands following successful launches in the UK and US. Companies supporting the launch include Greenhouse Talent, ID&T,...more
Warner Music Group acquires controlling stake in Tempo Music
Catalog includes rights in songs recorded by Bruno Mars, Twenty One Pilots, Adele, Wiz Khalifa, Florida Georgia Line, and Lukas Graham Providence Equity Partners to Remain a Minority Investor Warner Music Group Corp. ("Warner Music Group" or "WMG") today announced that it...more
Jane Dyball appointed Chair of PRS Foundation and newly elected Trustees announced
Jane Dyball appointed PRS Foundation’s Chair of the Board of Trustees Newly elected Trustees Brahim Ait Ben Larbi, Jonathan Jackson and Grace Goodwin also announced The award-winning UK charitable funder of new music, PRS Foundation – which is celebrating 25 years of investing in...more
Dina LaPolt, Entertainment Attorney, Activist and Industry Trailblazer, Breaks New Ground with the Launch of LaPolt Media
Pre-Order Now Available for LaPolt's Upcoming Book (October 7) and Podcast Launch (Spring 2025) Dina LaPolt, the powerhouse attorney, advocate, and founder of LaPolt Law, has announced the launch of her newest venture, LaPolt Media. This new endeavor will focus on...more
Fallow Festival Fund launched at Festival Congress
AIF and Citizen Ticket partner to support struggling festivals. Call issued for financial or service donations to help events return. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and Citizen Ticket have partnered to create the Fallow Festival Fund, a new package to support...more
AIF calls for CMS Select Committee inquiry into UK festivals
Rallying cry issued to festivals promoters, freelancers and suppliers at 2025 Festival Congress. Campaign for inquiry backed by NOQ Group. 78 UK festivals fell in 2024, with 5 having already cancelled this year. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for the...more
Bucks signs CLAVIS 7EVEN to worldwide deal
Bucks Music Group has signed rapper, singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and producer CLAVIS 7EVEN to an exclusive worldwide music publishing deal. Born in Congo and raised in Wolverhampton, CLAVIS 7EVEN has been dubbed one of the most compelling voices in the new wave...more
THE HEADLINES
Lyor Cohen addresses Kanye West in an open letter (see News)
Let’s stop talking about emerging technologies (see Comment)
Chappell Roan hits back at criticism over Grammys speech; Ivors Academy supports calls for the industry to protect the future of artists (see News)
Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl show was one big tease (see News, Reviews)
Warner Music Group: Spotify and Tempo deals, plus financial results (see Business)
A look at Spotify's future growth (see Analysis)
Are songs reaching one billion streams faster than ever? (see Analysis)
Spotify reports first annual profit, subscriber numbers surge (see Business)
Lucian Grainge: "Streaming 2.0 era has arrived" (see News)
How two strangers turned around Warner (see Features)
All the Grammy winners and news (see News)
The unflattening of music (see Comment)
Tributes to Marianne Faithfull, who died yesterday (see Features)
MLC Spotify lawsuit dismissed, bundled royalties unchanged (see News)
Featured Artists Coalition announces UK Artist Touring Fund (see News)