Studio71, LP’s Post

This week for my TRF 430 Artist Management class, I read an article from Variety marking the start of Elliot Grainge's transition period as CEO of Atlantic Records. Elliot Grainge’s appointment as CEO of Atlantic Records marks a significant development in the music industry. He is known nown largely due to his background at 10K Projects, recognizing notable artists during the emerging digital age. He is also known throughout the industry for his family ties—with his father Lucian Grainge as CEO of Universal Music Group (UMG). This new position at Atlantic for Grainge raises eyebrows among industry goers. What exactly are the implications of Elliots position as part of Warner Music Group (WMG), as they are key competitor to UMG? The fear of a potential merger with WMG or UMG is not currently on the agenda, but it remains a distant possibility. Historically, WMG and UMG have remained competitors. Despite this, as the entertainment industry continues to consolidate, could there be concerns about the possible monopolization of the music industry under the Grainge name? On the other hand, the strategy of Grainge’s first tasks is to stabilize the company amid industry-wide transformations. Atlantic is responding to challenges posed by the digital age, yet this aligns with Elliots niche within 10k Projects. As the dominance of streaming arises, there is a need for more of a sense of innovation within artist outreach. A recent memo sent to employees addressing the turn over of power indicates that the restructuring of the company will lead to layoffs, as the company seeks to make necessary adjustments in one sweep. Esquire Group Inc. James (J.T.) Hutchinson

The music industry is at a crossroads. Major labels are showing slowed growth, laying off staff, and looking for the next “big win”. Is there a clear path for artists, labels, and publishers to grow revenue? We suggest they look inward… namely, at getting more mileage out of the music rights they already own. The problem right now is that many catalogs are being undermonetized due to the difficulty of music licensing. Imagine having a guest house in a destination vacation city before the days of Airbnb: you have a valuable asset without an accessible market. When music licensing is mysterious and cumbersome, the same thing happens to commercial music catalogs: they're underperforming vs. their potential as revenue-generating asset. The Rights fixes this problem, catalyzing consistent licensing revenue for commercial music catalogs. See what we mean: www.therights.com (also, here's the article we reference from Bloomberg): https://lnkd.in/gC3yvs-b

In the wake of Warner Music Group’s announcement to develop a superfan app, one can’t help but ponder the strategic decision behind building a proprietary platform rather than capitalizing on existing fan-centric ecosystems like Fave. Fave has already established itself as a hub where superfans can connect, share, and even monetize their passion for major label artists. It’s intriguing to consider the potential synergies that could be unlocked if WMG leveraged such a platform, which is already backed by industry giants and has a proven track record of engaging fans in meaningful ways The creation of a standalone app certainly allows for tailored experiences and direct data insights, but it also raises questions about market fragmentation and user adoption. As we navigate an era where user attention is a premium, it seems prudent to question whether reinventing the wheel is the most efficient path forward or if embracing and enhancing what already exists could lead to a more harmonious ecosystem for artists and fans alike. It’s the burgeoning talent—the developing and emerging artists—that often find themselves without viable avenues to harness the enthusiasm of their superfans. This gap in the market underscores the need for platforms that not only cater to established names but also provide a springboard for new artists to thrive on the support of their most devoted fans. EVEN is showing promise in this regard. #WarnerMusicGroup #SuperfanApp #MusicTech #FanEngagement #StrategicPartnerships

New Opportunities for Artists Through Sync Licensing 🎵 The other day, my dad shared an interesting story about how he came across the viral TikTok artist, Baby No Money$, whose track "Edamame" ft Rich Brian caught his ear in a crypto-themed movie on Netflix. This song made it to his saved playlist—which is a high honor because this playlist hasn't welcomed many newcomers since the '80s. This personal anecdote perfectly illustrates how sync licensing is not just a revenue stream but also a powerful tool for discovery and exposure. Music is Integral to Audiovisual Projects. Music isn't just background noise; it's a vital creative element in filmmaking (audio leads in the term 'audiovisual' for a compelling reason I guess...). However, the synergy between sound and screen doesn't just enhance the viewing experience—it also opens up substantial opportunities for artists. Here's how: Diversified Revenue: Sync deals provide a lucrative alternative to traditional revenue streams. A single placement can deliver significant upfront payments, making a noticeable difference in an artist's earnings. Increased Visibility: Having your music featured in popular media exposes it to broader and diverse audiences. This can boost everything from streaming numbers to social media followings, and even ticket sales for live performances. Brand Association: Sync placements can link your music to well-known brands and high-profile projects, enhancing your artistic reputation and potentially opening doors to new opportunities. Sync licensing is more than just a financial boon; it's a gateway to new audiences and artistic growth ! #musicbusiness #musiclicensing #musician

Verswire: Revolutionizing The Music Industry With Artist-First Model Read in Forbes how Verswire is shaking up the music industry with its innovative "Shark Tank-meets-record label" model. Led by Sherry Saeedi, Verswire empowers artists with venture capital funding, championing fair pay and creative control. Backed by industry heavyweights like #MarkHoppus of #Blink182, #PeteWentz of #FallOutBoy, and Nick Lippman, Verswire has secured $12.3M in funding and signed major artists like #BeautySchoolDropout and #Girlfriends. Notable investors E.O.A. Productions and idobi Network, and additional funding from investors like Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and #FooFighters tour manager Gus Brandt. This signals a shift in the music landscape, prioritizing artist development and financial equity. Saeedi's leadership demonstrates the power of persistence and vision in driving change. Learn more about this groundbreaking company and its mission to empower artists. Curious to learn how Verswire is transforming the music industry? Read the full article to discover the inspiring story behind this groundbreaking company and the woman who made it happen. https://lnkd.in/eAsZyjaU #musicindustry #artistdevelopment #venturecapital #disruption

Cutting Edge Media Music has secured $500m to fund music rights acquisitions. According to the announcement from UK-headquartered Cutting Edge on Monday (April 15), the new funds will be used for a combination of "corporate purposes" and the acquisition of music rights across the film, TV, theatre, gaming, and wellness spaces. Philip Moross, CEO of Cutting Edge Group, said: “Through our early conviction in this very specific area of the market, Cutting Edge has become a world leading music partner to the film and tv industries. "During that time, the structural trends driving our industries have accelerated exponentially, delivering a proliferation of digital platforms and content, matched by an increase in demand for media music usage. "Prior to the pandemic, we identified a similar opportunity in the global wellness market, which is now projected to grow at 10% per annum to a US$7 trillion market by 2025. This refinancing will enable us to execute our growth strategy to take full advantage of these trends in our usual disciplined way.” #musicbusiness #musicdeals #musicrights

https://lnkd.in/gGKdJzhH "Last year, against a backdrop of widespread media layoffs, the music industry saw Warner Music Group lay off 4% of its global staff, SoundCloud lay off 8%, and BMG lay off around 3-5%. Warner’s 4% reduction, as an example, saw approximately 270 roles cut. By nature of Universal Music Group’s scale (9,992 employees at close of 2022, remember), a 4% reduction in headcount would see around 400 layoffs. A SoundCloud-style 8% cut would see 800 roles gone. Don’t forget, though: In 2021 and 2022 alone, UMG added 809 net new employees. So we may be watching a company effectively erasing the additional headcount it added during the pandemic."

There was a time when to access and watch movies, people only had the theaters, and then there was the time when we got to have access to VHS and DVDs. Entertainment consumers had to rent or purchase movies from video rental stores. There was also a time when music was primarily distributed through physical media such as vinyl records, cassette tapes, and later, compact discs (CDs). With the continuing digital transformation and technological advancement, how we access and consume entertainment, and how we create and distribute entertainment have been redefined. While the digital transformation of entertainment has brought, and continues to bring good opportunities for stakeholders in the entertainment industry, it is also ushering in new types of challenges. In this article, we explore some key issues in entertainment in this digital age. Read here - https://lnkd.in/dZbSsaz8 Also like and share your thoughts. #entertainmentlaw #entertainment #intellectualproperty #digitalentertainment #movies #music #metalexlegal #growwithmetalex https://lnkd.in/dZbSsaz8

The Power of Passion: How Rainy Fu Inspires Us at Design Never Sleeps Rainy embodies the spirit of Design Never Sleeps in every way. Her journey is a masterclass in chasing dreams and breaking boundaries. Balancing between New York, Chicago and Singapore, Rainy shows us that passion has no time zones. At Design Never Sleeps, we are constantly inspired by her dedication to the vision. Whether it's bridging cultural gaps through design or mentoring young creatives, Rainy leads with empathy and boundless support. Her relentless pursuit of innovation pushes us to constantly evolve and redefine the design landscape Blending NYC trends with vibrant Asian nuances, Rainy pushes design beyond geographical limitations and breaking the mold. Since the beginning, Rainy has led Design Never Sleeps with her passion for design and innovation. Her journey is a testament to the power of embracing opportunities that come your way and carving your own path. Equally inspiring is her dedication to mentoring design students, empowering young creatives and fostering a thriving design community. Thank you, Rainy, for being the beacon of passion and innovation that guides us at Design Never Sleeps. We're excited to see what creative heights we'll reach together! 😃 P.S. Want to learn more about Rainy Fu's incredible journey? Check out the article by Singapore Global Network below! #DesignNeverSleeps #CreativeLeadership #Inspiration #singaporean #overseas #nyc #chicago #singapore

🎶 Had an amazing time hanging out at what is probably the most welcoming and impressive home studio in the #DMV area that I've had the opportunity to visit so far. Undisclosed Location Studios, owned by audio engineer, music producer, and automation specialist Matt MacPhail and voiceover artist Ann MacPhail, is a true gem. This WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) designed studio is state of the art and can serve multiple purposes. I spent over 5 hours in this incredible space, talking about music, family, life, AI, plugins, programming, voiceovers, marketing, and so much more. Undisclosed Location Studios is open to clients (serious inquiries with budgets only). If you're interested in working on projects there, hit me up. A bit of bonus info: As founding members of the University of Southern California The SoCal VoCals and with friends in some of the world's top a cappella groups, Ann and Matt have a special place in their hearts for a cappella groups. Their son, Gabe MacPhail, is a TikTok superstar with millions of views—definitely hit him up for your marketing needs! All this to say: You have to get out there and network. Make friends. Build relationships. During our chat, I called a mutual friend, fellow Full Sail University David Cassidy, who may have a project for us to work on. You never know what making that call, sending that email, setting up that meeting, or making that social media connection could lead to. I'd love to set up an informal hangout with some friends from the DC chapter of The Recording Academy (Sharon Ingram x Harvey Mason jr. let's chat) and maybe even a Full Sail University DC area alum meet-up (Shaun Moore you already know LOL) at Undisclosed Location Studios soon. Summary: ↳ Matt can help with any audio engineering, studio recording, or automation cue needs (Broadway shows, churches, museums, etc.) ↳ Ann can help with any VO needs (as a talent or sourcing VO talent) ↳ Matt and Ann can assist with any music production needs (or they can call me LOL) ↳ Gabe can help with any marketing needs I didn't even mention the on site dub stage / theater and backyard! Enjoy this MTV Cribs-style walkthrough and let me know: When you're in the DC area, would you want to book a session at Undisclosed Location Studios? P. S. What's the coolest home studio you've had the chance to hang out at? 🌟🎤🎧 #Networking #MusicProduction #DMV #Voiceover #recordingstudio #musicproducers #singer #songwriter #producer