business
US slaps sanctions on two foundations linked to Iranian supreme leader
The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two Iranian foundations controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and their subsidiaries, saying the institutions enabled Iran’s elite to sustain a “corrupt” system of ownership over large parts of the economy. The designations announced by the US Department of the Treasury target Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO) and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), their leaders and subsidiaries. These are the latest actions to reinforce the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran pursued by US President Donald Trump’s administration. “These institutions enable Iran’s corrupt leaders to exploit a system of ownership over a wide range of sectors of Iran’s economy,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. US-Iranian tensions have risen since T...
AEG’s Isabel Brougham and More Join Mint Talent Group
According to Mint, the 47-point plan covers everything from marketing asset recommendations, utilizing digital tools and socials to enhance exposure, exploring new opportunities with their list of marketing partners, to new and innovative ways that an agency can help bridge the gap between artists and buyers. “We are extremely excited about welcoming Isabel to the Mint team,” said Mint co-founder Patrick McAuliff in a release. “Her experience, knowledge and passion for the job will help push Mint forward as we continue to reimagine the talent agency and fully service our clients.” In addition to Brougham, Mint has also announced that Amanda Levine will be representing the Mint artist roster and sports properties in the extensive brand community as its...
Shakira Sells Full Song Catalog to Hipgnosis
“Being a songwriter is an accomplishment that I consider equal to and perhaps even greater than being a singer and an artist,” said Shakira in a statement. “At 8 years old — long before I sang — I wrote to make sense of the world. Each song is a reflection of the person I was at the time that I wrote it, but once a song is out in the world, it belongs not only to me but to those who appreciate it as well.” The amount paid for Shakira’s catalog was not disclosed, but the high-profile sale highlights the potential in international catalogs in general and Latin catalogs in particular. Although there have been few major sales of high-profile Latin catalogs, in November Hipgnosis announced that its acquisition of 42 catalogs from Kobalt included hits by Enrique Iglesias, among them ...
The Wiggles Sign Exclusive, Global Deal With Universal Music Publishing Group
To celebrate their third decade of lighting up kids’ faces, The Wiggles kick off a year-long national tour of Australia this April, featuring current members Emma Watkins (The Yellow Wiggle), Lachlan Gillespie (Purple) and Simon Pryce (Red) and co-creator Anthony Field (Blue). “This is going to be such a monumental year for The Wiggles,” Field comments in a statement issued Wednesday, “and we couldn’t be happier to be celebrating it with Universal Music Publishing.” The founding members formed The Wiggles, having met while studying Early Childhood Education at Sydney’s Macquarie University. Field, he later recounted, had the thought of recording an album of children’s music, the idea being that it might help him land a job as a teacher. It turned out to be a bright idea. With a...
Jimi Hendrix’s Brother, Niece Found in Contempt of Court for Violating Trademarks
Tina Hendrix tells Billboard that her family is “devastated and disappointed about the judge’s decision and I strongly feel that it was incorrect and unjust for several reasons.” The contempt ruling against Leon and Tina Hendrix follows a lengthy court battle that began in 2017 when Experience Hendrix LLC — the sole owner of the late rocker’s musical compositions, sound recordings, copyrights and trademarks — and Authentic Hendrix LLC, the licensing arm for Hendrix, filed an infringement case. Experience and Authentic Hendrix sued Leon Hendrix and a business associate for trademark infringement, deceptive acts and false advertising, among other claims. In Oct. 2019, the court entered a permanent injunction against Leon Hendrix and his corporate entities, finding they...
Beyond Save Our Stages: NIVA Director Details Next Steps for Venue Owners
“One of the components of Save Our Stages Act is that should this continue longer than any of us want it to continue — which it already has — but should there be a need for additional funds, it’s part of the language of this program,” said Rev. Moose on the panel, adding that the act takes into account that more funding could be necessary depending on the duration of the pandemic. Rev. Moose continued that while he is not a “political soothsayer,” he does believe the bipartisan appeal of the SOS Act could mean an easier and more efficient path to additional funding if venues are forced to keep their doors shuttered for longer than expected. “I don’t know what the future is going to bring, but I would hope that if there is a need for additional COVID funding, that the government...
Latin Alternative Music Conference Sets Dates for Virtual 2021 Event
The Latin Alternative Music Conference is set to return in virtual form this year with dates scheduled for the week of Cinco de Mayo (May 4-7). Like last year, when it was held online for the first ever due to the novel coronavirus, the 22nd annual LAMC will offer free registration for panels, workshops and showcases. The second edition of the Wonder Women of Latin Music recognitions honoring women making a difference in the Latin music industry is also set to take place this year. Launched in 2020 and presented by Amazon Music, past Wonder Women honorees include Rebeca León (Lionfish Entertainment), Jennifer D’Cunha (Apple Music), Yvonne Drazan (peermusic) and Billboard‘s own Leila Cobo, among others. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are lo...
JBL & Culture Creators Partner on HBCU Mentor Program
JBL/HARMAN, in partnership with the Black-owned agency Culture Creators, is launching JBL Campus SoundSessions. The new mentorship program will focus on expanding opportunities for minority college students aspiring to build careers in music production, marketing, business, technology or engineering. The chosen students will also be given a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship toward their education. Starting Jan. 26 and running through Apr. 6, 2021, select HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) students will be able to virtually attend six curated conversations featuring JBL executives, engineers and influential music industry speakers who will share their respective career journeys, challenges and other insights. Accepted students who participate in all of the 60- to 90-minut...
Barry Gibb Set for U.K. No. 1 With ‘Greenfields’
The Bee Gees, who were inducted into the Rock Hall back in 1997, have ruled the U.K. albums chart just once, with 1979’s Spirits Having Flown, though the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which features several contributions from the vocal group, led the national chart for a whopping 18 weeks. As fans remember David Bowie on what would have been 74th birthday and the fifth anniversary of his passing, the iconic singer’s Legacy (Parlophone) collection vaults 31-10. Also impacting the chart blast is Swedish post-punk group Viagra Boys, whose second studio album Welfare Jazz (Year0001) bows at No. 25, while Gold career retrospectives from British rockers Ian Hunter & Mott The Hoople (No. 18 via Crimson) and “Final Countdown” singers Europe (No. 34 also via Crimson) are eying Top 40 de...
Inside Radio’s Outsourcing Movement: ‘Voice-Tracking’ DJs Are Working Faster for Less
Although iHeart and Entercom oversee their in-house voice-tracking networks from their home bases in San Antonio and Philadelphia, smaller radio companies rely on talent agencies such as Skid Trax, a 10-year-old service that links stations with veteran DJs such as Marisay and Ashley & Brad, the morning-show duo for Simi Valley, California, country station KWSV. And lately business is booming: Between 2018 and 2019, Skid Trax increased the number of stations it works with by 7%; between 2019 and 2020, the increase was 43%. Skid Trax personalities have been “getting more and more calls,” says Tonya Campos, a former program director who co-founded the company 10 years ago, and co-founder Michael Raffety adds: “For the local talent, it’s sad. For a show like Ashley & Brad, like it or n...
Former CAA Music Agent Aaron Tannenbaum Joins WME
He joins the Hollywood talent agency as a partner, based in Nashville. Veteran music agent Aaron Tannenbaum has joined WME as a partner, based in its Nashville office. The former CAA agent represented country music artists within the touring industry while with the rival Hollywood talent agency since 2010. Before that, Tannenbaum worked at Paradigm. “Aaron has earned a reputation in our business as an agent who has a strong ability to identify talent and takes the long-view in building an artist’s career, making him a great fit for us,” Scott Clayton, WME’s co-head of music, said in a statement. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and ma...
OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder Sells Majority Stake in Catalog to KKR
The catalog of nearly 500 songs written, recorded or produced by Tedder encompasses all OneRepublic songs — including hits “Apologize,” “Secrets” and “Counting Stars” — as well as Tedder’s work with artists like Beyoncé, U2, Paul McCartney, Adele, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Jonas Brothers. Going forward, KKR will collaborate with Tedder to “expand upon the success and reach” of his and OneRepublic’s music, according to a press release. Formerly known as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., KKR has a long history of music industry investments. It teamed with Bertelsmann for the music rights joint venture BMG Rights Management in 2009, controlling 51% until Bertelsmann t...
