The Deals: UnitedMasters Extends Synch Pact With NFL, Warner Music India Invests in SkillBox
Written by djfrosty on November 14, 2024
UnitedMasters extended its existing synch agreement with the National Football League (NFL) through the end of the 2027 season. The deal will expand UnitedMasters’ existing track delivery, allowing the NFL to continue providing music to its fans at games and across NFL programming via UnitedMasters’ fully-cleared synch library. Through the deal, NFL Member Clubs will have the opportunity to explore additional licensing packages, allowing them to create “hyper-local experiences,” according to a press release.
Warner Music India made a minority investment in India-based live entertainment and ticketing platform SkillBox, which has worked on tours for Jacob Collier, Steve Vai, Ben Howard and more and established intellectual properties including Bloomverse, K-Wave, Lemonade and LiveBox. “By integrating live events and ticketing into its portfolio, Warner Music India will offer its artists the ability to reach wider audiences, while fans will benefit from streamlined, unforgettable live music experiences,” states a press release. SkillBox, which also boasts an artist management arm called LevelHouse, boasts 1.5 million users.
Music licensing company Soundstripe is partnering with Orfium, Tuned Global, Music Reports and Cyanite to build a “click-to-license” platform for the music business that will offer pre-cleared music, with a full rollout expected for spring 2025. “Through these partnerships, Soundstripe connects several elements of licensing, which have long been separate,” reads a press release. Orfium’s SyncTracker product will ensure that all licensed music has been cleared when a video posts to platforms including YouTube, while Tuned Global will manage content delivery and asset management on the recording side and Music Reports will cover the publishing side. Meanwhile, Cyanite’s AI-driven technology will allow Soundstripe to tag and search music at scale.
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Audacy launched its first FM broadcast station with Super Hi-Fi, a leader in AI-powered radio services for broadcast and digital media companies. From Oct. 31 onward, Denver’s Front Range Country 103.1 will be powered by Super Hi-Fi’s AI-powered platform and toolset, including its program director radio operating system, which manages music curation content, ads, scheduling, voice tracking and station playout tasks.
Streaming service Deezer signed DAX, an advertising exchange from Global, as its exclusive ad sales partner in the U.S. for audio advertising. DAX previously pacted with Deezer in the U.K.
Leading Asian music company Kanjian struck a deal with AI rights management company Musical.AI to provide AI companies with access to its fully licensed music catalog for AI training. According to a press release, Kanjian’s catalog is entirely pre-authorized for AI applications.
Levellr, which helps artists use messaging tools including Discord and Telegram to reach fans, raised $1.75 million in funding from a group of gaming and media industry leaders including Dylan Collins (SuperAwesome, Jolt, Demonware), Mitch Lasky (former Benchmark and Discord board member) and Owen Mahoney (former Nexon CEO), along with senior execs from companies like Krafton, Riot Games and Amazon. The company also announced that Collins will join the company as chairman.
Redeye Worldwide, a leading independent digital and phsyical distribution and music services company (and part of the Exceleration Music family), signed a strategic agreement with Lasgo Worldwide Media to provide physical fulfillmemnt services in the U.K. and Ireland. Additionally, Redeye will consolidate its European Union physical operations through an expanded one-stop agreement with Netherlands-based pan-European provider Bertus, allowing Redeye clients to broaden their sales and marketing reach across Europe. Redeye’s Swedish subsidiary, Border Music, will continue servicing the Nordic markets.
Alt-rock pioneers the Pixies and Tickets For Good, which provides free and heavily discounted tickets to live events, announced a new partnership through which the band will donate tickets to Tickets For Good across the platform’s global network for every date on their upcoming 20-date tour in Europe and North America next year. The partnership includes tour dates that are sold out, giving registered Tickets For Good members an opportunity to gain special access via a dedicated ballot.
Indie music company Anthem Entertainment and Wax Records struck a creative partnership that will focus on “enhancing the relationship between publishing and creative, facilitating a seamless channel for songwriters and artists to produce viable projects,” according to a press release.
AI-powered music and audio technology company Mus.ic.AI is integrating its AI tools into digital asset management and monetization platform SourceAudio. Under the deal, 567,000 active SourceAudio users will be provided with AI-powered stem separation.
Virgin Music Group announced a strategic agreement with Tokyo-based Bushiroad Music, a division of games and anime producer Bushiroad Inc. Through the deal, Virgin will support the expansion of Bushiroad Music’s overseas business through digital music distribution, including theme songs for Bushiroad’s games, anime series and films.