News and Trends

Zerza will remain available to WMG through the end of the fiscal year to support the transition. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-groups-armin-zerza-lou-dickler-appointed-acting-cfo/

The acquisition will combine Canada's leading performing and reproduction rights organizations, pending regulatory approval. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/socan-acquires-cmrra-from-soundexchange/

Live Nation's Concerts division drew 49 million fans in Q2 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-generated-7-7bn-in-q2-revenue-up-9-yoy-driven-by-a-10-rise-in-fan-attendance/

Michael Jackson's Thriller album was Sony's biggest-selling artist project around the world in calendar Q2 2026, boosted by the Michael biopic movie Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-generated-3-12b-from-recorded-music-michael-jackson/

Soundpatrol struck partnered with Universal and Sony in September 2025 to detect copyright infringement in AI-generated music Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/soundpatrol-sued-by-lucas-keller-and-oak-felder-who-allege-they-developed-its-copyright-detection-software-without-compensation/

The following MBW op/ed comes from Samantha Moore, President of Rostrum Pacific-owned distributor SpaceHeater. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/true-independents-will-become-rarer-and-more-valuable-going-into-the-next-decade/

The inaugural edition will run for 11 days across Seoul Arena in the city's Chang-dong district and the KINTEX exhibition center in nearby Goyang. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/k-pops-big-four-and-south-korean-government-reveal-plans-for-fanomenon-festival-in-seoul-and-los-angeles/

She will report to HYBE CEO Jason Jaesang Lee and remain based in Los Angeles. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jenni-pfaff-promoted-to-chief-people-and-transformation-officer-at-hybe-in-new-global-role/

The suit was filed on Friday (July 24) in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-hit-with-class-action-lawsuit-over-data-breach-reportedly-affecting-55m-users/

The total fell 2.5% short of the highest-grossing Latin tour ever regardless of gender: Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bad-bunny-grossed-467-5m-on-debi-tirar-mas-fotos-world-tour-report/

Tracks from The All-American Rejects, A$AP Ferg, Teddy Swims, and Alex Warren will be available to Roblox creators to use in games and virtual spaces. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/too-lost-partners-with-roblox-to-bring-catalog-of-independent-music-to-games-and-virtual-spaces/

2025 was the first time the annual total had surpassed £800M, which converts to USD $1.05B Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/uk-recorded-music-exports-hit-record-1-05b-in-2025-up-just-0-8-yoy/

Qobuz's redesigned player carries visuals that shift with a track's album artwork and keeps a mini-player on screen while users navigate the app. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/qobuz-rolls-out-real-time-synced-lyrics-to-all-subscribers/

MBW's World Leaders series meets Phil Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Latin America-focused Move Concerts Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/move-concerts-ceo-phil-rodriguez-im-bullish-about-our-business-music-and-sports-are-the-last-tribal-experience/

The game has already drawn more than 3.5m visits and generated more than 23m in-game performances. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-launches-roblox-game-that-lets-players-build-their-own-festivals-with-cortis-as-the-first-featured-artist/

Google and YouTube executive to join the UK collection society on October 12 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ben-mcowen-wilson-named-new-ceo-of-the-uks-prs-for-music/

Reach alleges that Capitol CMG agreed to buy the label during 2025, then pulled out months later by telling Reach the agreed price was too high. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/judge-refuses-to-dismiss-reach-records-case-against-umgs-capitol-cmg-over-abandoned-deal/

Hoffmann held roles in PR, catalog management, marketing, and product management at AFM Records and Atomic Fire Records / Reigning Phoenix Music. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/timo-hoffmann-named-head-of-ar-germany-at-frontiers-label-group/

Suno spokesperson Rachel Racusen did not dispute the number of users affected and confirmed that the company had experienced a security incident in November 2025 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-admits-data-breach-that-reportedly-leaked-55-3-million-users-data/

Andy Schuon will start in the role on September 1, 2026, and will be based at the Academy's headquarters in Nashville. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/academy-of-country-music-appoints-andy-schuon-ex-mtv-and-revolt-tv-exec-as-new-ceo/

Jonathan Daviss, known for the Netflix series Outer Banks, will play Snoop Dogg in the title role. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/snoop-dogg-biopic-snoop-dated-for-august-2027-the-first-film-from-the-rappers-death-row-pictures/

The AFM says the deals triggered a "new use" provision requiring UMG and Warner to compensate members whose music was licensed to AI companies. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/us-musicians-union-urges-court-to-reject-universal-and-warner-bid-to-dismiss-lawsuit-over-suno-and-udio-deals/

SOCAN will recognize Musical AI as an approved tech partner for attribution services, and the two will explore how the technology can be applied in Canada. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/canadas-socan-names-musical-ai-as-its-attribution-partner-to-credit-and-pay-creators-whose-work-shapes-ai-music/

Warner Music Group acquired Sureel in June Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/wmgs-sureel-teams-up-with-symphonic-to-let-distro-companys-artists-track-ai-use-of-their-music/

Deezer says it will take down AI tracks used to inflate streams fraudulently, as well as those that have not been streamed for six months or more Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/90000-ai-tracks-flood-deezer-daily-passing-half-of-new-music-uploads-for-the-first-time/

It would also make the use of copyrighted works to train AI models subject to fair-use limits or licensing agreements, Reuters reported. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/indonesias-copyright-rewrite-would-ban-ai-from-imitating-creators-and-googles-not-a-fan/

The group will be produced by Han Sung Soo, the founder of PLEDIS Entertainment, who has produced groups including SEVENTEEN. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-names-new-girl-group-tuide-set-to-debut-under-its-abd-label-this-year/

BuyDRM will provide multi-DRM support across Google Widevine, Apple FairPlay, and Microsoft PlayReady through its KeyOS MultiKey Service. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/udio-taps-content-security-buydrm-to-secure-its-ai-music-walled-garden/

The states want to examine both whether the settlement does enough to restore competition and how it was negotiated. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-rejecting-the-dojs-live-nation-settlement-states-press-for-discovery-into-white-house-talks/

Trailblazers is an MBW interview series that turns the spotlight on music entrepreneurs with the potential to become the global business power players of tomorrow. This time, we meet Tommy Jinho Yoon, founder and CEO of Asia-focused music promoter International Creative Agency (ICA). Trailblazers is supported by TuneCore. In 2024, Thailand’s prime minister and his … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/asia-will-become-one-of-the-primary-drivers-of-global-touring-rather-than-simply-a-destination-on-international-routes/

Moreira joins with more than 16 years of experience in the music industry, including roles at Sony Music and Warner Music in Brazil and internationally. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/marcela-moreira-appointed-country-director-for-brazil-at-believe/

Reservoir acquired the catalog of indie label Nacional Records, along with the catalog of its publishing arm, Canciones Nacionales Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/reservoir-acquires-nacional-records-catalogs-strikes-jv-to-develop-latin-music-artists-songwriters/

Goldsen is based at the company's Los Angeles headquarters and will continue to report to Ryan Press, President, North America, WCM. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/david-goldsen-promoted-to-evp-ar-at-warner-chappell-music/

Sony Music Publishing already administered the Recognition catalog before completing the acquisition. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/done-deal-sony-music-publishing-completes-acquisition-of-recognition-music-groups-catalog/

Suno is hiring for a Director of Accounting tasked with building 'toward the controls and rigor required for IPO readiness.' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-is-building-toward-ipo-readiness/

Brisbane-headquartered GYRO.Group's portfolio spans distribution, marketing, publishing, and sync. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/too-lost-acquires-australias-gyro-group-in-first-acquisition-since-nine-figure-raise/

Bunt oversees the marketing and distribution of Disney's recorded music, music publishing and live concert businesses. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/disney-music-group-president-ken-bunt-to-receive-musexpos-lifetime-achievement-award/

Warner says the union brought the lawsuit "in an improper attempt to place a judicial thumb on the negotiation scales." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-asks-court-to-dismiss-us-musicians-lawsuit-over-suno-udio-deals/

Nevin will lead Merlin's engagement with independent trade associations and strategic partners worldwide. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dan-nevin-appointed-vp-industry-relations-at-merlin/

The deal would leave the existing rate structure in place through 2032, save for annual adjustments in line with inflation. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/us-copyright-royalty-board-proposes-extending-physical-and-download-mechanical-rates-through-2032/

The following was originally delivered as a speech at the United Nations' AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva on Wednesday (July 8) by ABBA co-founder and CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-at-human-creativity-is-not-the-enemy-of-artificial-intelligence-it-is-the-reason-artificial-intelligence-exists/

Backers of the round include Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma's family office VSS Investco and Paytm CFO Madhur Deora. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/indias-thumpn-raises-3-75m-for-ai-powered-live-entertainment-platform/

'The allegations in the lawsuit are unilateral and unsubstantiated,' Big Hit Music said Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bts-label-big-hit-music-rejects-swim-copyright-claim-says-track-was-independently-created/

Pinilla will report to Chairman and CEO Jon Platt and remain based in the company's New York office. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/luis-pinilla-promoted-to-svp-global-head-of-strategy-at-sony-music-publishing/

Polenta will continue operating under its own brand and creative identity, led by co-founders Marina "Pol4ca" Frohmann and Ignacio Elizalde. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/latin-music-party-giant-bresh-global-acquires-majority-stake-in-argentinas-grupo-polenta-known-for-its-dj-driven-music-experiences/

The agreement gives GTS a preferential right to sign the artists who emerge from the program, plus a role in developing their eventual concert tour. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umgs-gts-strikes-telemundo-deal-for-operacion-triunfo-estados-unidos-with-first-call-on-signing-the-shows-artists/

The complaint alleges Sony never reported producer or override royalties on Kris Kross's first two albums until 2023. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jermaine-dupris-so-so-def-sues-sony-music-for-18m-over-alleged-unpaid-royalties-on-kris-kross-xscape-mariah-carey-and-usher-records/

The audition, run by ORCA in partnership with All My Anecdotes, will act as a talent pipeline for the label's future projects, and runs from July 3 to August 3. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/alibaba-entertainment-arm-damai-launches-artist-development-label-orca-and-a-worldwide-audition-to-build-global-music-group/

A Florida judge threw out Kimberly Marasco's case, ruling that the poems she says were copied do not contain expression that copyright law protects. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/taylor-swift-beats-poets-copyright-lawsuit-over-her-song-lyrics-as-judge-dismisses-case-with-prejudice/

Successful applicants will receive creative support of 5 million won Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-the-home-of-bts-launches-global-search-for-pop-music-producers/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-googles-fair-use-fight-to-lionsgates-record-breaking-michael-jackson-movie-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

That catalog includes Right Here, Right Now, which reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/primary-wave-strikes-partnership-with-jesus-jones-frontman-mike-edwards-on-his-song-catalog/

Cory-Smith's colleagues at Bella Figura confirm tragic news on social media Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bella-figura-founder-alexi-cory-smith-dies-suddenly-aged-58/

Kalshi said in April that trading on the its music 'contracts' had already topped USD $400 million in 2026 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-slashes-streams-of-hit-song-after-suspicious-activity-on-prediction-market-kalshi/

Light joined WMG in March according to his LinkedIn profile Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/logan-light-joins-warner-music-group-as-chief-of-staff-to-ceo-robert-kyncl/

Braun's exit was disclosed in a regulatory filing published on South Korea's DART disclosure system Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/scooter-braun-resigned-from-hybes-board-but-the-k-pop-giant-says-hell-stick-around-as-an-advisor/

Exceleration will manage and collect income from Sakamoto's rights outside Asia, while NexTone will handle the catalog within Japan. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/exceleration-music-acquires-catalog-of-japans-ryuichi-sakamoto-in-joint-venture-with-tokyo-based-nextone/

Hemminga joins Merlin from Downtown Music, where he most recently served as VP Product & Services Strategy. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/merlin-appoints-former-downtown-exec-harmen-hemminga-as-vp-business-development/

Almost 4,500 of those performers and recording rightsholders are receiving a payment from PPL for the first time. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/uk-collection-org-ppl-paid-out-108m-to-performers-and-recording-rightsholders-in-q2-2026/

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets AI agents connect to outside data sources and act on them Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/viberate-opens-music-data-to-chatgpt-claude-and-other-ai-bots-via-official-mcp-server-launch-amid-ai-first-pivot-for-analytics-company/

The centerpiece is the "iHeartRadio and TikTok LIVE Premiere with Madonna," streaming on July 2 from the album's release party in London. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktok-turns-madonnas-confessions-ii-launch-into-a-global-live-event-two-physical-pop-ups-and-an-in-app-fan-hub/