A Danish court sentences anti-piracy lawyers to prison.
A court in Denmark has sentenced three anti-piracy lawyers to more than ten years in prison. They had siphoned millions of dollars from the movie and TV industries while working at the Johan Schlüter law firm. After more than 20 hearings, the lawyers were found guilty of fraud and false accounting totaling 100 million Danish kroner (around $15.8 million).
Mass Appeal signs distribution deal with UMG.
Mass Appeal, a media and content company, has signed a multiyear distribution deal with Universal Music Group. The agreement covers the exclusive distribution of physical and digital formats for recorded music and short-form video content. Mass Appeal can now leverage UMG’s marketing and promotion teams in more than sixty territories. UMG will also distribute Mass Appeal’s catalog of releases from artists, including Nas’ upcoming solo album.
Kesha accuses Dr. Luke of raping Katy Perry.
Court documents filed in New York have revealed that Kesha has accused former collaborator Dr. Luke of raping Katy Perry in a text to Lady Gaga. The documents are related to an ongoing defamation lawsuit against Kesha. Dr. Luke reportedly refuted three claims Kesha has made against him – he gave the singer drugs, he raped her, and he raped Katy Perry.
Amazon will stream the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame abroad.
Amazon has announced that it will stream the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony internationally. Starting July 1st, Prime Video users in thirty-four countries can stream the gala.
The second annual Future is Female concert confirmed.
The second annual Future is Female concert will take place on September 4th at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra will perform works by a dozen female composers active in the music industry, including Germaine Franco, Tamar-kali, Ronit Kirchman, Cindy O’Connor, and Heather McIntosh. New composers performing at the event include Mandy Hoffman, Tori Letzler, Emily Rice, Perrine Virgile-Piekarski, Tangelene Bolton, Aska Matsumiya, and Jessie Weiss.
Alicia Keys announces plans for female advancement in the music industry.
Alicia Keys has confirmed plans to launch a music industry group for female advancement – She Is The Song. Keys made the announcement during her acceptance speech at the National Music Publisher’s Association meeting in New York. Keys deflected questions about the music industry group, only stating, “You’ll be hearing about it.”
Bandsintown adds ‘Snap Kit’ integration
Bandsintown, a concert discovery platform, has announced the integration of Snapchat’s Creative Kit within its concerts app. The feature allows users to share concerts immediately after RSVP’ing to events in the Bandsintown Concerts app.
Kanye West’s ‘All Mine’ takes No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart.
Kanye West has topped the Billboard Streaming Songs chart with his single, ‘All Mine.’ According to Nielsen Music, fans streamed the track 36.3 million times.
Prepare for a Menudo comeback… again.
Paul Tarnpolo, CEO of Menudo International, has confirmed that the Puerto Rican boy band will make a comeback. The move comes after a federal court in Miami ruled that Menudo International LLC has the sole rights to the trademark on a worldwide basis.
Spotify names its 2018 Secret Genius ambassadors.
Spotify has confirmed the next wave of ambassadors for its Secret Genius program. Ali Tamposi, Ben Billions, Benny Blanco, Frank Dukes, Ina Wroldsen, Jamie Scott, Murda Beatz, Shane McAnnaly, Sky A. Ramirez, and Tayla Parx have been named by the service. The company will feature the songwriters in podcast and songshops. Spotify will also honor them at the second annual Secret Genius Awards this year.
Nominees for the 2018 Teen Choice Awards announced.
Fox has announced the nominees for the 2018 Teen Choice Awards. This year’s nominees include Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Bruno Mars, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa.
Michael Pukownik joins Kobalt’s AWAL.
AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, has hired Michael Pukownik as Senior Vice President and Head of Artist Marketing in North America. Based in AWAL’s Los Angeles office, he’ll oversee artist marketing campaigns for the company’s roster and drive digital marketing strategy. Pukownik previously served as Vice President of Marketing at Warner Bros. Records.
Parlophone’s Mark Mitchell hires Jack Melhuish and Rob Khan.
Nick Burgess will serve as Co-President Parlophone – a Warner Music Group label based in the UK – alongside Mark Mitchell. He will arrive at the record label later this summer. In addition, Mitchell has named Jack Melhuish as Director of Marketing, Strategy, and Partnerships. He previously served as Marketing Director at Polydor. Mitchell had also hired Rob Khan as Music Streaming Head at Parlophone. He’ll create pitches for artists to present to streaming music services and will collaborate with the platforms to craft successful artist campaigns.
Aloft Hotels teams with UMG to launch a discovery competition and a new tour for emerging artists.
Aloft Hotels and Universal Music Group have announced a new discovery competition – Project: Aloft Star. In addition, the Project: Aloft Star Tour will showcase UMG’s emerging artists.
Shahendra Ohneswere named VP, Content Development at Columbia.
Columbia Records has named Shahendra Ohneswere as Vice President of Content Development. In the newly-created position, Ohneswere will work with all departments to create multi-platform content strategies across Columbia’s artist, label, and creative brand partnerships.
George Ergatoudis exits Spotify – for Apple Music.
George Ergatoudis – Spotify’s Head of Music Culture of International Shows and Editorial – has just left the company. He will now serve as Head of Apple Music UK. Ergatoudis is the latest top executive to leave the company. Angela Watts, Dave Rocco, and Mark Williamson have all recently departed Spotify.
Daniel Bei named Managing Director of Ticketmaster Italy.
Ticketmaster Italy has appointed Daniel Bei as Managing Director. He previously served as President of the World Trade Center in Italy. Bei has also worked as General Manager of Brussels’ Forest National.