By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Bravado, the merchandising and brand management division of Universal Music Group, has unveiled a new leadership structure for strategic growth. Bravado says the new leadership structure "aims to super serve Bravado’s roster of artists and brands and to continue to support the ever-growing company." Changes at Bravado will also … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Bravado Announces Major Leadership Restructuring
Universal Music Group
Who’s News: Rockstar Licensing Exec Lisa Streff Joins Global Merchandising
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Global Merchandising Services just made a key appointment, hiring music licensing veteran Lisa Streff as SVP of Licensing and Brand Development for North America. Streff is considered a rockstar in the music licensing industry, having worked with many of the world's top acts. Streff was previously the SVP of Global Licensing and … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Rockstar Licensing Exec Lisa Streff Joins Global Merchandising
Artists Return to Platform As Universal Signs TikTok Truce
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Music Group has just signed a new, multi-dimensional licensing agreement that will see its artists return to the TikTok platform. UMG says the new deal will deliver "significant industry-leading benefits for UMG’s global family of artists, songwriters and labels and will return their music to TikTok’s billion-plus global … [Read more...] about Artists Return to Platform As Universal Signs TikTok Truce
Must Read: Universal Music Calls Time Out on TikTok Agreement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Music Group just dropped a bomb on TikTok, saying it will back out of its music licensing agreement with the social media giant. The music publisher, one of the global 'Big Three' that dominates the industry, says it will remove all songs from TikTok, accusing the company of trying to bully them into taking a bad deal over … [Read more...] about Must Read: Universal Music Calls Time Out on TikTok Agreement
Must Read: Universal Music’s Grand Experiments With AI and Music Streaming Payments
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Music Group is making huge moves to change how musicians are paid for streaming fees and for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The company, known as one of the 'Big Three' for music companies globally, is working with the Deezer platform on streaming rights, and with Google on a deal to use musician's … [Read more...] about Must Read: Universal Music’s Grand Experiments With AI and Music Streaming Payments
Who’s News: Bravado Adds Bench Strength to Executive Leadership Team
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Universal Music Group’s Bravado division has added several new key members to its executive leadership team. The new appointments include (clockwise starting from the left, above) Alyssa Tobias as VP of creative services, Keith Taperell as VP of global brand partnerships and energy marketing, Kim Youngberg as head of legal, and Bill … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Bravado Adds Bench Strength to Executive Leadership Team
CNN Reports Queen’s Music Catalog to Sell For Over $1 Billion
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief CNN is reporting that the music catalog from the British rock band Queen could sell for more than $1 billion this month. If true, that would be the highest amount ever paid for a music catalog, more than doubling the record $500 million paid to New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen. CNN quotes an unnamed source who says negotiations are … [Read more...] about CNN Reports Queen’s Music Catalog to Sell For Over $1 Billion
Licensing Law: “This is the Final Straw, AI,” Furious Drake Says
This story is an update to our previous feature "Universal Warns AI is Ripping Off Copyrighted Music By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief First it was artists who were panicking over the rise of AI, and now it's musicians and music publishers. AI-produced music and music videos that imitate superstars like Drake and The Weeknd have the music industry in an uproar. Universal … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: “This is the Final Straw, AI,” Furious Drake Says
Music Licensing: Bravado Regains Merch Rights For The Beatles
After a Hard Day's Night of talks, Universal Music Group's Bravado division has reacquired merchandise rights for The Beatles. The deal sees the legendary band's merchandise rights coming back to UMG, which is also the longstanding home for its music catalog. Apple Corps Ltd. and brand management company, Bravado, announced today that they have once again partnered to develop … [Read more...] about Music Licensing: Bravado Regains Merch Rights For The Beatles
Universal Music Centralizes Rosters for Bravado and Epic Rights
Bravado, Universal Music Group has announced the centralization of both Bravado and Epic Rights licensing rosters. Bravado acquired Epic Rights in 2019 and the new structure includes the expanded purview of Epic Rights’ SVP Global Licensing. Lisa Streff will oversee global licensing strategies across both companies. Streff will work closely with the existing Bravado and Epic … [Read more...] about Universal Music Centralizes Rosters for Bravado and Epic Rights