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Ticketmaster has announced a new integration with Apple-owned Shazam, enabling users to discover and purchase concert tickets directly through the music recognition app. The partnership, alongside Ticketmaster’s recent integrations with TikTok and Snapchat, aims to address what the ticketing company claims is a widespread issue of fans missing shows due to lack of awareness with “42% of fans” apparently saying that they missed out on a show they were interested it “because they didn’t realise it was happening”. Puffing up the partnership, Ticketmaster says “Because artists are able to link to Ticketmaster events directly, it’s easier than ever for you to buy tix to their shows”.
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Resident Advisor and SoundCloud have announced a strategic partnership to enhance artist and fan connections in the electronic music space. The collaboration integrates RA’s event information into SoundCloud profiles and embeds SoundCloud players on RA event pages. Simon Kempner, COO at Resident Advisor, says: “By seamlessly connecting event information across platforms, we’re empowering promoters, club owners, artists, DJs, labels and fans through increased visibility and engagement”. Devi Mahadevia, SVP of Strategy & Growth at SoundCloud, adds: “By integrating Resident Advisor’s events onto our platform, we’re further enriching the music discovery journey for our listening community”. The partnership also includes co-branded editorial features and a RA-curated playlist on SoundCloud.
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Beatport has partnered with fraud detection specialist Beatdapp to combat streaming fraud, which the company says siphons an estimated $2-3 billion from the global music industry annually. Robb McDaniels, CEO of Beatport, stated: “Partnering with Beatdapp aligns perfectly with our mission to tackle the issue of streaming fraud proactively, ensuring a fair and transparent environment for artists and listeners alike”. Andrew Batey and Morgan Hayduk, Beatdapp's co-CEOs, added, “No one notices that a few pennies are going to this song and a few pennies are going to that song but, in aggregate, they can steal billions of dollars”.
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Universal Music’s Virgin Music Group has partnered with Japanese animation content producer Frontier Works to expand global distribution of anime music. VMG will provide Frontier Works access to its distribution and marketing platform. Nat Pastor, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group, says “Together, we hope to celebrate the music of anime content by expanding their global reach and introducing this powerful genre of music to fans in new markets outside of Japan”.
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Virtual boy band Plave’s agency Vlast has signed a partnership deal with HYBE Japan to facilitate the avatar group’s debut in the Japanese market. Vlast described the agreement as “of the largest scale” for any non-HYBE artist, reflecting HYBE Japan’s confidence in Plave’s potential. The five-member virtual group, which debuted in March 2023, has recently received investment from HYBE and YG Plus to support its international expansion. Vlast CEO Lee Sung-goo stated, “We hope for well-made promotions in Japan through our collaboration with HYBE Japan, which has a deep understanding of the Japanese market”.
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Warner Chappell has signed a global publishing deal with Bronx-born rapper and producer Cash Cobain, best known for popularising “sexy drill”. Cobain, who is signed to Irving Azoff’s Giant Music, has notched up a number of high profile collaborations including Ice Spice, J. Cole and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. Speaking about the deal he says “This is a huge moment and I’m looking forward to building the ‘Slizzy’ empire with Warner Chappell by my side”. Warner Chappell’s North America boss Ryan Press says “Cash is one of the best up-and-comers out there. He’s introduced a sound using some of music’s most classic hits, and his delivery is spot on every time”.
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Goldman Sachs Alternatives is set to acquire a majority stake in live event production company TAIT from Providence Equity Partners. TAIT, known for creating stage designs for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, will retain its management team as shareholders. CEO Adam Davis stated the deal will “reinforce TAIT’s position as an industry leader in delivering culture-defining experiences”. Simon Kubbies, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, added: “We believe that TAIT is exceptionally well-positioned to benefit from secular tailwinds as the entertainment space continues to grow in scale and complexity”. The acquisition aims to expand TAIT's global footprint and technological offerings in live entertainment. Financial terms were not disclosed.