Dylan Smith

Tunecore CEO Scott Ackerman Is Officially Stepping Down

March 25, 2020

Tunecore, a longtime digital music distribution service, announced today that Scott Ackerman will step down as CEO next month. Ackerman has officially served as the company’s CEO since 2014, and his last day... Read More...

Spotify Allows Artists to Link to Donation Pages, Pledges $10MM In Matching COVID-19 Relief Funds

Dylan Smith

March 25, 2020

3

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic inhibiting artists’ ability to earn a living, Spotify announced three relief initiatives and charitable undertakings today, all of which are designed to lessen musicia... Read More...

Scam Alert: Letter From ‘Warner Music Group’ Is Targeting Vulnerable Artists

Dylan Smith

March 25, 2020

3

In a new, comprehensive scam that’s targeting up-and-coming musicians around the country, con artists are posing as Warner Music Group (WMG) execs and promising lucrative promotional deals in exchange for siz... Read More...

IMPALA Unveils 10-Point COVID-19 Crisis-Management Plan, Calls for EU Unity

Dylan Smith

March 25, 2020

1

IMPALA COVID-19 Task Force's 10-Step Plan The Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA) has created a 10-point COVID-19 crisis-management plan, which features relief-minded recommendations for governme... Read More...

Live Nation Stock is Recovering Lost Ground Following Stimulus Package, COVID-19 Improvements in China

Dylan Smith

March 25, 2020

Live Nation stock, traded under the symbol LYV, is regaining some of the value that was lost because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its corresponding market shakeup. Having passed the $75 mark in... Read More...

Jackson Browne Tests Positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus

Dylan Smith

March 25, 2020

Jackson Browne (photo: Craig ONeal CC SA 2.0) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Browne has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus. Browne sought a test after experien... Read More...

BMG Posts a 10% Revenue Bump; Bertelsmann CEO Says Company ‘Well Prepared’ for COVID-19 Disruptions

Dylan Smith

March 24, 2020

1

Bertelsmann's Gütersloh, Germany, headquarters (photo: Steffen Krinke) On the heels of an encouraging 2019 financial report and increased BMG revenue, German media powerhouse Bertelsmann has signaled confiden... Read More...

TikTok Donates $10 Million to WHO Solidarity Response Fund Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Dylan Smith

March 24, 2020

TikTok has donated $10 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Response Fund, which is being used to help WHO combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and deliver medical supplies to first... Read More...

2020 Summer Olympics Officially Postponed Because of Coronavirus Concerns

Dylan Smith

March 24, 2020

The newly built Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, where a portion of the rescheduled 2020 Olympics will take place. In what is likely the most significant coronavirus-prompted postponement to date, Olympic off... Read More...

GEMA Launches Massive $43 Million Coronavirus Relief Fund for Songwriters

Dylan Smith

March 24, 2020

GEMA's Berlin offices. (photo: Jivee Blau) German performance rights (PRO) organization GEMA has established a $43 million relief fund to support its member composers and songwriters financially during the co... Read More...

Music Publishers Score $189,500 Verdict Against Wolfgang’s Vault

Dylan Smith

March 24, 2020

1

(photo: David Veksler) A New York jury has ruled against Wolfgang’s, a vintage concert-footage restorer and merchandise distributor, and ordered the San Francisco company to pay several music publishers a tot... Read More...

Federal Court Grants RIAA Subpoena to Obtain Cloudflare's Clients' Personal Information

Spinrilla Sues the RIAA for Issuing False Takedown Notices

Dylan Smith

March 23, 2020

2

Independent hip-hop discovery app Spinrilla is suing the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for allegedly issuing false DMCA takedown notices. In the lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Cou... Read More...

Author Dylan Smith