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This has been a season of milestones at the colleges and universities preparing young people for careers in the music business.
At New York University (NYU), the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music marked its 20th anniversary in April — on the very day one of its most successful alums, Maggie Rogers, announced her first arena tour.
Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Recording Industry granted its first degree 50 years ago and has since graduated 7,500 “industry-ready alumni,” declares the school’s anniversary announcement. “MTSU is truly a unique place where students are nurtured, inspired and challenged,” says Beverly Keel, dean of the university’s College of Media and Entertainment.
Other schools are writing new chapters in the story of music business education, often with the support of industry benefactors.
Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is planning a major expansion on Nashville’s Music Row with a significant donation from the Mike Curb Family Foundation. Occidental College has launched the John Branca Institute for Music with a gift from the renowned music attorney, who is an alum of the liberal arts college in Los Angeles’ Eagle Rock neighborhood. At Syracuse University in New York, the Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries — endowed by music publishing veteran Martin Bandier — is adding a master’s program.
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At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have come under attack, Howard University in Washington, D.C., has pushed back — with a program endowed by Warner Music Group and the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund. At one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, Howard’s program offers students a unique certification: Social Justice in the Music Industry for Leaders.
Billboard chooses its top music business schools based on industry recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from our multiple power lists, information requested from each school and nearly a decade of reporting on these programs. While online education programs have proliferated, our choices are campus-based and bestow bachelor’s or associate degrees.
The schools here are not ranked; they are listed alphabetically. “Rankings have created an unhealthy obsession with selectivity,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a 2023 speech. He noted the U.S. Department of Education “hosts a free online tool called the College Scorecard to help students and families make more informed decisions. The scorecard provides data on college costs, graduation rates, employment, student debt and more.”
Recognizing the significant financial challenge of higher education, Billboard has prioritized the selection of more affordable public colleges and universities. And this list is geographically diverse. Beyond music industry capitals, tomorrow’s executives study at Auburn University in Alabama, Baldwin Wallace University outside Cleveland, Delta State University in Mississippi and the State University of New York in Oneonta, N.Y.
At the 20th-anniversary party for the program he endowed at NYU, Clive Davis, chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment, may well have been speaking for all who enroll in the schools profiled here when he said, “What is my fond hope for the future? I hope students continue to find success and really emerge as the leaders in the 21st-century music business.”
Abbey Road InstituteLondon
In the decade since it was established as a music production school by Abbey Road Studios and the studio’s owner, Universal Music Group, the institute has created affiliated programs across Europe and in the United States, Australia and South Africa. The institute’s specialist music production program provides hands-on practical training in all areas of music production, engineering and music-making. Its courses are designed in collaboration with the industry to offer a fast-paced and intensive education that reflects the realities of the business. Its alums have earned multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Award nominations. According to the school, over 90% of the graduates of the program in London secure industry-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Event: Among the numerous engineers and producers who have been guest speakers at the institute is Phill Brown, a veteran of sessions with Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Traffic, Cat Stevens and Bob Marley.
American University (Business & Entertainment Program)Washington, D.C.
Housed in American University’s Kogod School of Business, this business and entertainment program offers core classes in marketing, accounting and finance alongside specialized courses taught by entertainment industry veterans. Students of Linda Bloss-Baum, formerly of Warner Music Group and currently at SoundExchange, attend South by Southwest each March, and this year, they helped promote a National Independent Venue Association showcase. The program recently welcomed adjunct professor David Hughes, former chief technology officer at RIAA, and has now incorporated artificial intelligence into all of its classes. Beyond benefiting from the school’s location in the nation’s capital, students can join annual trips to Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, where stops have included CAA, Sony Music Entertainment, WME and UTA.
Courses: The business and entertainment program is launching two new classes: one that explores issues regarding name, image and likeness rights in the age of AI and Entertainment Accounting, which will be taught by industry veteran Steven Ambers, formerly vp of corporate development at SOCAN.
Auburn University (Music Studies Program)Auburn, Ala.
One of the state’s flagship public universities, Auburn is constructing a 4,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art recording studio situated within the music studies complex at Goodwin Hall on the campus. That building also houses two performing spaces. Auburn’s music department has become the second-fastest-growing department within its College of Liberal Arts. Following the introduction in recent years of majors in commercial music and composition and technology, the university last year created a new music business minor. Students in the program have interned at companies including Sony Music, Universal Music Group and CAA and worked backstage on tour with James Taylor. Sony Nashville CEO Randy Goodman was a recent speaker at the Music Business Association, a student organization.Alums Derek Crownover, a partner at Loeb & Loeb; Jennifer Bohler of Alliance Artist and Media Relations; and saxophonist Khari Allen Lee, who is a professor of practice at the university.
Sony Nashville CEO Randy Goodman with Oakley Holmes,
an Auburn University graduate and member of the school’s Auburn Music Industry Network who is now the label’s digital marketing and artist development coordinator.
Sony Nashville
Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, Ohio
Located 15 miles from downtown Cleveland, the city that proudly calls itself the birthplace of rock’n’roll, Baldwin Wallace has helped prepare students for successful careers in the business for more than three decades, offering a bachelor of arts in music industry. Named as an educational affiliate of the Grammy Museum in 2021, the school is the alma mater of Music Asset Management founder and CEO Mary Jo Mennella and Live Nation Midwest region vp of regional marketing Katie Rose and a frequent stop for industry executives including recent speaker Rick Fagan, tour manager for Disturbed. Students also benefit from a large roster of internship partners ranging from Blossom Music Center to Beachland Ballroom & Tavern to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Event: In spring 2024, students in the Music Industry II course traveled to New York to meet with industry professionals from BMI, The Bowery Presents, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall and Carl Fischer Music.
Belmont University (Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business)Nashville
In April, Belmont University received a $58 million gift from the foundation of music executive and philanthropist Mike Curb for the expansion of its program that bears his name. The largest gift in the school’s history will support the renovation of existing buildings and construction of a state-of-the-art facility on Nashville’s Music Row. Offering bachelor’s degrees in music business and business administration, Belmont provides students direct access to Nashville’s thriving music scene as well as “Belmont USA” semesters in Los Angeles, New York or Atlanta. Organizations like the Showcase Series let students work with vendors to produce six arena shows throughout the year. Notable classes include Intro to the Creator Economy — taught by Andrew Graham, CAA’s head of digital corporate advisory and partnerships, and CAA agent Chris Wittine — which melds social, video and monetization.
Event: In April, the inaugural Belmont at the Opry convened songwriters and performers including alums Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley and Hillary Lindsey.
Berklee College of MusicBoston
Alongside its long-standing bachelor of music business program that focuses on management, marketing and entrepreneurship, Berklee now offers a bachelor of arts program in music industry leadership and innovation, designed for nonmusicians with an interest in music, business and technology. Both offer ample guest speakers, industry partnerships, on-campus events and networking opportunities. In partnership with SALXCO/XO Records, students in the Trends and Special Topics course prepare a customized branding and social media campaign for a recording artist. The Berklee Popular Music Institute’s flagship BPMI live program offers a yearlong experience in which students scout, develop and tour with emerging artists. The school’s music business summer program, open to students ages 15 to 19, is a five-day experience designed to teach aspiring artists, managers and entrepreneurs how to launch a successful career in the music industry.
Event: This year, the Music Business/Management department hosted its 30th annual James G. Zafris Distinguished Lecture Series, featuring TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson.
Berklee College of MusicValencia, Spain
Students who want a global view of the industry join with peers from more than 20 countries for Berklee’s one-year master of arts in global entertainment and music business program in Valencia. The program offers three concentrations — live entertainment, entrepreneurship and record industry — and students also work on real-life projects including the on-campus record label Disrupción Records, with the Rototom Music Festival or with companies including Chartmetric, Warner Music Group, Warm and Audiense. Courses include Emerging Technologies and New Creative Frontiers, which covers tech from AI to metaverse communities, and Music Publishing and Music Supervision. The Berklee Global Career Summit, held annually in January, is a four-day boot camp focused on professional development and career paths through keynotes, panels, workshops and mentoring sessions.
Alums: EMPIRE marketing director Alán Hensley, TikTok agency solutions lead Aman Wadhwa and Warner Chappell Music A&R manager Andres Arenas.
BIMM University (BIMM Music Institute)London
BIMM Music Institute is a division of BIMM University, a group of colleges given full university status by Britain’s Department for Education in 2022. The university offers courses in music, film, performing arts and gaming at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. It has a 40-year history of offering students a hands-on education in state-of-the-art facilities and a wide network of industry connections. BIMM Music Institute now operates in London, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham, England, as well as Dublin and Berlin. It offers bachelor’s degrees in the music business; music marketing, media and communications; and event management.
Events: Speakers have included Glastonbury Festival co-founder Michael Eavis, Chic’s Nile Rodgers, members of the band IDLES (who are also alums) and British rapper Stormzy.
The BRIT SchoolCroydon, England
Co-founded in 1991 by the British government and the British Record Industry Trust (the charitable division of U.K. labels trade group BPI, which presents the BRIT Awards), The BRIT School offers a tuition-free education for students ages 14 to 19 for careers in performance and creative arts and related industries. It has specialist teachers in live sound, production, recording, music technology and business. The school has two working venues on-site and also houses the Sir George Martin Recording Studio, plus audiovisual hubs with professional standard equipment and the YouTube Music Studio for live broadcast and radio. Speakers have included Sony Music Entertainment U.K. chairman Jason Iley and Billy Bragg, who came to celebrate 40 years since the release of his Life’s a Riot album and discuss his career with the students.
Alums: Adele, RAYE, Amy Winehouse and Loyle Carner.
California Institute of the Arts (The Herb Alpert School of Music)Santa Clarita, Calif.
Every student at CalArts’ Herb Alpert School of Music engages in some aspect of creating music, even those who intend to pursue nonperforming roles. The school, which is rooted in experimentation and diverse approaches to arts and culture, believes this depth of exploration equips students to be more informed about their work after graduation. On campus, students benefit from teachers and mentors with a breadth of knowledge and passions. Simon Reynolds, a faculty member in the Experimental Pop program and author of Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984, among other titles, teaches the new Writing About Music course that examines critical writing about popular music. Laurel Halo — a composer, producer, live musician and DJ — joined the faculty in fall 2022.
Course: AI Sonic Explorations features hands-on workshops exploring the critical, speculative and practical ways of applying AI to working with sound and musical composition.
California State University, NorthridgeLos Angeles
Cal State Northridge offers classes including copyright law, recording contract formation and negotiation, and marketing, as well as a two-semester course that covers copyright, publishing, licensing and music industry contracts. To ensure students have the skills they need for careers in the industry, the school also emphasizes experiential education, from its student-run record label to its robust internship requirement and deep connections with Los Angeles-based industry professionals, who often visit the campus for panel discussions, guest lectures and mentoring. A recent screening of the documentary Immediate Family, about the hit-making L.A. studio musicians Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel and Waddy Wachtel, was followed by a Q&A with director Denny Tedesco, who also directed the documentary The Wrecking Crew.
Alums: Mike Elizondo, Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and instrumentalist; artist Andy Grammer; and Andy Summers, guitarist for The Police.
Delta State University (Delta Music Institute)Cleveland, Miss.
Graduates of Delta State’s Delta Music Institute who earn a bachelor of science degree in entertainment industry studies enter the music business with a range of skills in entrepreneurship and audio engineering technology. The program’s small size enables more personal instruction and one-to-one connections, and students benefit from the institute’s breadth of industry partnerships. It’s an education partner of the Grammy Museum Mississippi, an Avid Learning partner offering Pro Tools certification, a Dolby Institute academic partner and a Grammy U affiliate. It frequently hosts music industry experts, including recent guests Robert Ellis Orrall, founder of Infinity Cat Records; Charles Newman, co-founder of Mother West Records; and Matt-Ross Spang, recording engineer and studio owner.
Alums: Ike Illoegbu, owner of Brooklyn-based i2 Mastering Studios, and Zack Woodard, program coordinator at Grammy Museum Mississippi.
Drexel University (Westphal College of Media Arts and Design)Philadelphia
Program-specific classes begin freshman year at Drexel’s Westphal College, where students take on courses ranging from 50 Years of Hip Hop to Women in the Music Industry to classes focused on marketing and promotion, entrepreneurship, media promotion, live music and more. The quick immersion provides a foundation for the school’s co-op program, through which all students spend six months working in the field. The program also publishes a zine featuring student-conducted interviews with Drexel alums working in the music industry, sponsors a collegiate chapter of Women in Music and houses FLUX, a student-run organization that produces live-music events on campus.
Event: A group of Drexel students visited the Universal Music Group offices in New York and heard from executives including Jordan Moran, director of audience growth and marketing at Universal Music Enterprises, and Sarah Tully, manager of commercial strategy and partnerships at Island Records.
Full Sail UniversityWinter Park, Fla.
Artists including Elvis Costello and Aoife O’Donovan and executives such as Sony Music Latin vp of A&R Alejandro Jiménez and MOXIE Nashville founder Vannesia Darby have recently spoken at Full Sail, whose music business program hosts frequent full-day workshops on industry-related topics like branding, AI, social media, live events and career paths. Many times, these sessions also include guests representing a diverse range of industry disciplines. The recent Hip Hop Music Industry Panel brought Goodie Mob’s T-Mo, GYMINI and Vinny Idol to the school. Students gain hands-on experience through the program’s Artist Development initiative, where they assist working artists in areas including social media support, marketing content creation, music video development and promotion.
Course: In Music Supervision, students learn how to serve as a creative liaison between the music industry and the visual-media industries, including film, TV, gaming and advertising.
Hofstra UniversityHempstead, N.Y.
Enrollment in Hofstra’s music business program increased by more than 300% from 2017 to 2023, and its offerings have expanded accordingly. A new series of six-week courses — taught by executives including Atlantic Records senior vp of international marketing Danielle Geiger and Thirty Tigers vp of A&R Lee Dannay — focuses on four different topics per semester. Students in the Promotion in the Music Industry course create a marketing plan for an artist and present it to a jury of industry professionals. Students also participate in internships at Live Nation, ASCAP, SoundCloud and Wasserman, to name a few, and benefit from more than 50 speakers who visit campus annually, such as recent guest Rich Holtzman, AEG Presents senior vp of marketing and artist development.
Event: In March, Hofstra hosted a Mental Health in the Music Industry panel featuring Geiger, Sound Mind Live executive director Chris Bullard and Rock Star Advocate founder Suz Paulinski.
Howard University (Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business)Washington, D.C.
Unique in its curriculum designed to foster innovation, positive change and social justice, Howard’s music business program offers industry support, mentorship, career development opportunities and global reach. It was endowed in 2021 with a $4.9 million gift from Warner Music Group and the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund and provides students with wide access to industry professionals and resources. Students graduate with a Chartmetric Data Analytics certification and the first-ever Social Justice in the Music Industry for Leaders certification. The program has hosted over 55 executive and artist speakers this past year. Its reach extends to Ghana, where a partnership with the local government facilitates artist exchanges and industry mixers. Partners including CAA, Wasserman, RIAA and The Tom Joyner Foundation offer internships and job placement opportunities.
Event: The program’s director, Jasmine Young, received the 2024 Howard Forward Award and the Changemaker Award for cultivating positive and effective change schoolwide. She also spoke at the inaugural West Africa Music & Arts Festival in Accra, Ghana.
Jasmine Young is director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University.
Justin Knight
Kennesaw State University (Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program)Kennesaw, Ga.
Endowed by — and taking its name from — leading entertainment lawyer Katz, the program at Kennesaw State offers a 24-credit certificate program and an 18-credit undergraduate minor for those seeking careers in the entertainment business. Experiential offerings abound. For more than a decade, Katz MEBUS students have worked with Sixthman to create marketing plans for the company’s music festivals and aid its work with Norwegian Cruises. A partnership with Dolby enables students to train in the latest technologies, and the program’s annual trip to London features meetings with executives at Sony Music Entertainment, Abbey Road Studios, Universal Music Group, Dolby, Royal Albert Hall and others. Each year, MEBUS students also develop digital marketing strategies inside the Sony Entertainment boardroom to help launch emerging artists.
Faculty: Bryan Calhoun — head of digital strategy for Blueprint Group/Maverick who has developed digital initiatives for Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, T.I. and The Roots — is serving as executive-in-residence at the program.
Liverpool Institute for the Performing ArtsLiverpool, England
Co-founded in 1996 by Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty (who retired as principal/CEO in 2021 and was succeeded by Sean McNamara), LIPA’s student body comprises musicians, dancers, engineers, producers, technicians, designers and filmmakers, all honing their talents in world-class facilities. Those planning nonperforming careers can follow a music industry management track taught by faculty with experience in performing, producing, managing and record-label ownership. The curriculum begins in its first year by teaching essential management skills before students begin specializing. In their second year, they can work on a three-week, student-run music festival, 2ube Extra, staged in The Paul McCartney Auditorium. Their third year brings a three-month placement at leading companies including Warner Music and Live Nation, which often leads to full-time employment.
Event: In May, Björn Ulvaeus — composer, songwriter, musician, producer and founding member of ABBA — visited LIPA for a Q&A with students.
Long Island University (Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment)Brooklyn
Launched in fall 2021, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at LIU will graduate its first full class in spring 2025. Students in each of its three music majors take foundational business courses, and the curriculum is available to those studying in the applied music or music, technology, entrepreneurship and production majors. It has already become a magnet for leading creatives, legal experts, A&R executives and digital and brand experts, and speakers at the school have included Megan Thee Stallion, Fat Joe, Rapsody, Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt, Roc Nation vice chairman Jay Brown and Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. The school has also hosted the EmpowHERment Summit to amplify the role of women across the music industry and partnered with MetaMoon Festival to host an inaugural summit focused on Asian representation in live music and touring.
Course: The school partners with JPMorgan Chase on the Game-Changing Finance course that teaches aspiring executives how to understand contract terms, spend thoughtfully, save responsibly and borrow wisely to navigate their financial futures.
Jon Platt, chairman/CEO of Sony Music Publishing, is among the top executives who have met with students at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University.
Nadav Kander
Los Angeles College of MusicPasadena, Calif.
Los Angeles College of Music launched a master’s program in March 2023, which augments its 12-quarter bachelor of music degree and six-quarter associate of arts degree. Committed to offering students hands-on experience and networking opportunities, the school hosts over 120 industry guests, panelists and master-class speakers each academic year. In addition, the LACM program hosts quarterly field trips to companies including Warner Chappell, Spotify and Disney, where students meet with industry executives and grow their networks, and the school partners with Grammy U, Ableton and audio company AIAIAI. Its student-run, faculty-advised 370 Music Group comprises 370 Artists, which provides artist marketing, development and distribution services in partnership with distributor Vydia, and 370 Songs, which curates original student material for synch and licensing opportunities.
Event: A partnership with DISCO — an industry resource for file storage, sharing and presentations — enables students to have their music heard by music supervisors, publishers and more.
Los Angeles Film School (The Los Angeles Recording School)Los Angeles
Students explore the entire record-making journey at The Los Angeles Recording School, a division of Los Angeles Film School, which is located in the heart of Hollywood and equipped with professional recording studios for a real-world work environment. The school offers an array of degrees, including an associate of science in audio production and music production and a bachelor of science in audio production, entertainment business, music production and media communications. It also hosts an active speaker roster: Universal Music Group vp of sound and picture Roey Hershkovitz spoke with students in June. All students receive a TechKit that includes a MacBook loaded with software including Avid Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, an Auralia/Musition bundle and a MIDI keyboard.
Alums: Hannah Lux Davis, an award-winning music video director known for her work with Ariana Grande, Halsey, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj and Kacey Musgraves.
Loyola University (College of Music and Media)New Orleans
The New Orleans music scene is the backdrop for Loyola’s industry studies program, housed in its College of Music and Media. In 2024, the university sponsored one of the largest stages at New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival, which hired students as interns at more than 25 stages during the four-day event. The program offers an extensive curriculum, including the Record Label Operations course, and ample opportunities for experiential learning across the country and abroad. Students travel to industry conferences such as NAMM, Americana Fest, South by Southwest and Music Biz. This past summer, a new two-week, three-credit course brought students to London for classroom instruction at Regents University and field trips to U.K. entertainment companies.
Course: Digital Strategies is a new course that delves into the use of predictive modeling through trending data in the industry and teaches students how to access the technological tools of tomorrow and use them to build creative careers.
Middle Tennessee State University (College of Media and Entertainment)Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry, which, as part of the school’s College of Media and Entertainment, operates alongside complementary disciplines including film, animation, TV, live-event broadcast, photography and digital media. The department offers undergraduate degrees focused on music business, audio production and commercial songwriting, two graduate degrees and an interdisciplinary degree. The school’s proximity to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival enables students to produce over 30 hours of concert livestreams from the fest on Hulu. Last year, students worked at the Grammy Awards, the Country Music Association Awards and South by Southwest, among other events, and provided live sound, video and lighting for Khalid’s on-campus performance. Experiences in audio production, music business and commercial songwriting are part of a robust internship program.
Event: Kerry Gordy, the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, visited the campus to speak about Motown’s impact, working in fields including copyright recapture and finding a distinct career path.
Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, N.J.
The home of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, Monmouth’s industry program combines coursework from the university’s business school with its music and music business curriculum in an interdisciplinary model that prepares students for a range of opportunities. Students work curating exhibits, in merchandising and in behind-the-scenes roles at the Archives, while the campus record label, Blue Hawk Records, enables them to take on roles as A&R representatives, managers, producers and artists. One of four collegiate chapter affiliates of Women in Music, the program also partners with major music organizations, tech companies, agencies and a state-of-the-art recording complex in nearby Asbury Park, N.J.
Event: In April, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples and Dion DiMucci were honored at the second American Music Honors Awards, produced at Monmouth by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. All honorees were present, as were Springsteen and Darlene Love. A film of the event will be shown on campus Nov. 1.
From left: Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Darlene Love, Dion, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne onstage at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music Honors in April at the Pollack Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J.
Danny Clinch
New York University (Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development)New York
Led by Larry Miller, who was honored as the music business educator of the year by the Music Business Association, the music business curriculum at NYU Steinhardt offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that are integrated with the university’s Stern School of Business. Courses are taught by faculty and leading industry practitioners including RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier and National Music Publishers’ Association CEO David Israelite, and recent guest speakers include songwriter-producer Benny Blanco and Shira Perlmutter, director of the U.S. Copyright Office. Students take classes on the business of recorded music, music publishing, live performance, management, publicity and fan engagement at the main campus in New York and satellite sites in Nashville, Los Angeles, Paris, Prague and Shanghai. Starting in 2025, NYU will offer a bachelor of science degree in music business, with the first year of study being held in London. Artist and producer Joe Henry is this year’s NYU-Americana Music Foundation artist-in-residence Nov. 11 to 13. Latin Grammy winner Ella Bric will visit in the spring.
Course: Howie Singer and Bill Rosenblatt, co-authors of the book Key Changes: The Ten Times Technology Transformed the Music Industry, teach Data Analysis in the Music Industry.
From left, Larry Miller, clinical professor and director of the music business program at NYU Steinhardt, with RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier; Judy Tint, music attorney and clinical associate professor at the school; and NMPA president/CEO David Israelite. Glazier and Israelite also teach in the Steinhardt program.
Courtesy of NYU Steinhardt
New York University (Tisch School of the Arts, Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music)New York
The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts marked its 20th anniversary this year educating students pursuing music business careers alongside musical creatives. Seeking to prepare students to lead across a range of industry fields, the institute recently added marketing and management executive Naima Cochrane — who has worked for Bad Boy, Arista Records, Columbia and Epic Records — to its faculty. Pure Tone Records founder Pete Ganbarg and Big Beat Records GM Gina Tucci were among executives who met with students at the school’s Atlantic Records Songwriting Camp and Warner Chappell Music songwriting rooms in Warner Music Group’s New York headquarters. The weeklong camp featured collaborative writing sessions by CDI alums and students and daily guest lectures, discussions and Q&As with WMG executives.
Alum: Maggie Rogers, a Grammy-nominated artist and founder of Debay Sounds, graduated with degrees in music production and English.
Northeastern University (College of Arts, Media and Design)Boston
In recent months, Drew Simmons, Noah Kahan’s manager and Northeastern alum; Andrea Espinoza, assistant tour manager for Olivia Rodrigo; and Sam Alpert, senior vp of marketing at Wasserman Music, all came to campus to talk with students on track to receive their bachelor of science in music with concentration in music industry. The program is designed for those interested in every facet of the industry, with a focus on entrepreneurial thought leadership and ethical change. On campus, the school offers a breadth of classes ranging from Actionable Analytics in the Music Industry to Copyright in the Creative Industries to Making a Festival. Off campus, it provides students with a host of experiential learning opportunities.
Event: The university’s cooperative education program offers the opportunity to make valuable industry connections, broaden perspectives and acquire skills and knowledge outside the comfort zone of the classroom.
Occidental College (The John Branca Institute for Music)Los Angeles
At Occidental, the John Branca Institute for Music launched in July — endowed with a $5 million gift from the alum and leading music attorney whose clients have included the estate of Michael Jackson and some 30 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The Mike Curb Foundation has gifted another $500,000 to the institute. Devoted to the study of the industry and popular music, the institute features formal cooperation with other educational entities including Los Angeles City College and Harvard University and music companies such as Warner Music Group (whose former CEO, Stephen Cooper, is an alum). The college also has recruited a tenure-track assistant professor of Popular Music and Music Production: musician, multimedia artist and scholar Ramona Gonzalez. Occidental’s music program will remain anchored in the school’s liberal arts focus, ensuring students develop critical thinking skills.
Course: A class titled Copyright, Originality, and Theft in American Popular Music examines how ideas about musical copyright, originality, authenticity and appropriation have evolved over the history of the American popular music industry.
Music attorney John Branca has endowed the newly launched John Branca Institute for Music at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
John Lamparski/Getty Images
Oklahoma State University (The Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music)Stillwater, Okla.
Hit songwriter, producer and former Arista Records Nashville president Tim Dubois is an OSU graduate (and this year was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame). The school’s bachelor of science in music industry program was established in 2017, and in 2021, the Greenwood School of Music opened facilities adjacent to the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, which provides learning and cultural experiences for music majors. A $50 million programming endowment has enabled a New York Philharmonic residency to take place in Stillwater. Students have access to four studios, including the multimillion-dollar Dick & Malinda Berry Fischer Recording Studio, as well as the student-run music company Poke U. They can also start an MBA program their senior year in conjunction with the Spears School of Business and earn their master’s degree with only one additional postgrad year.
Faculty: Music engineer-producer Luke Tallon (Killers of the Flower Moon) recently joined the faculty.
Rhodes College (Mike Curb Institute for Music)Memphis
Endowed by the Mike Curb Family Foundation in 2006, the Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College offers a music- and entertainment-based education that enables graduates to learn not only how to work in the industry, but how to think broadly about the world. Rhodes offers two certificates in music industry studies — one in content production and one in arts entrepreneurship. Classes are continually evolving, like the new course Songwriting in Memphis, in which students examine songwriting from multiple perspectives. The program is also home to student-produced zine Dredge and student-produced podcast Beyond Beale. The Curb Community Fellows Program provides funding for students to work directly with local professionals and organizations such as Goner Records, Royal Studios and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Event: In partnership with the college’s endowed Springfield Music Lecture Series, the Curb Institute hosted Grammy-winning songwriter Jason Isbell for a conversation in February.
Rowan University (College of Performing Arts)Glassboro, N.J.
Rowan University’s music industry program, housed in its College of Performing Arts, offers a dynamic curriculum and a flexible bachelor of science degree with concentrations in technology (production/recording studio) and business (marketing/management) so students can tailor their studies to their specific interests. Each concentration includes credits from the College of Business. In addition to its annual career fair, which attracts top industry employers such as Live Nation, Rowan maintains strong partnerships with area community colleges, ensuring transfer students find an accessible pathway to their careers. Among its alums: SiriusXM host Erin Constantine, Sony Music Entertainment senior label analyst Ricardo Oropeza and Universal Music Group assistant manager of e-commerce Gabriella Bruckner.
Faculty: Michael McArthur, the program’s professor of practice, is vp of A&R at 300 Entertainment/Warner Music Group and was named to Billboard’s 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list.
State University of New York, OneontaOneonta, N.Y.
All music industry majors at SUNY Oneonta complete a curriculum that features five core courses, including a seminar that explores contemporary issues in the music industry; a career preparation class focused on music, media and entertainment opportunities; and a course that examines legal issues in music, media and entertainment, with focuses on intellectual property law, contract law and ethics. Students also participate in activities, including The Music Industry Club — which produces concerts, seminars and presentations and runs record label Red Dragon Records — and campus radio station WONY (90.9) Oneonta. The school offers a regular series of alumni presentations, and a Backpacks to Briefcases series of networking field trips to New York to meet with alums working at music, media and entertainment firms.
Event: Last year, alum Jenn Federici, a leader in tour management, marketing and live events logistics and compliance who has held positions at Goldstar Management, Momentum Worldwide and Interscope Records, returned to campus to speak to the music industry concert production class.
Syracuse University (Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries)Syracuse, N.Y.
Enrollment in the Bandier undergraduate program is capped at 30 students annually, ensuring individualized attention to those developing the professional and human skills required to succeed in the music business. The curriculum enables students to study for a semester in Los Angeles or New York, as well as one semester abroad; the program also takes an annual trip to emerging music industry markets. Previous trips have included visits to Beijing, Singapore and Seoul. The program — endowed by music publishing executive Martin Bandier — is launching a graduate program, which will begin accepting students in summer 2025. It’s also creating an advisory board of industry experts — all Bandier or Syracuse graduates.
Course: Students in the Business of Live Music & Experiential Brand Activations course work with local promoter Eric Binion of After Dark Presents to present a show, from booking talent and branding to social media and promotion to sales and settlement.
Laufey and Bill Werde, director of the Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries at Syracuse University, at the launch of the school’s new music business master’s program. A Bandier alum, Laufey has endowed a $100,000 scholarship for the program.
Arnold Turner
Temple University (Klein College of Media and Communication)Philadelphia
Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication offers an interdisciplinary bachelor of arts in audio and live entertainment. The program combines courses in the communication, music, business and event management schools. Class topics range from artist management and event operations to publishing, hip-hop media and culture, and more. At the university’s campus in the heart of Philadelphia, groundbreaking is planned for a new Klein College building that will house a reconstruction of the iconic Sigma Sound Studio 1, where Philly soul acts like The O’Jays once cut hits. The student-run label Bell Tower Music works with student radio, TV and other ventures, and the school’s deep industry relationships have fostered internships and jobs at Interscope Records, Kobalt, Primary Wave, Red Light Management, SoundExchange, Warner Music and more.
Event: Grammy- and Academy Award-nominated songwriter Stephan Moccio, who has collaborated with The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus and Céline Dion, recently came to campus to talk with students.
Tennessee State University (Commercial Music Program)Nashville
TSU is both a public university and one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities; for those seeking music business careers, it distinguishes itself with its location in the heart of Nashville. It also boasts faculty who come from and remain active in the industry. TSU’s program is up to speed on current industry trends and best practices. Its small faculty-to-student ratio also enhances the learning experience, as do frequent site visits, guest speakers — Sweetwater senior director of recruitment Jordan Applegate recently visited campus — industry-related events and internships. Sydney Verge, operations coordinator at the Recording Academy, is an alum.
Course: Students enrolled in Music Business and Law study intellectual property, contracts and various sources of revenue flow including publishing, touring, performing rights organizations and merchandising.
University of California Los Angeles (Herb Alpert School of Music)Los Angeles
The new music industry bachelor of arts program builds on the success of the Herb Alpert School of Music’s popular undergraduate minor. According to statistics compiled by the university, more than one-quarter of the nation’s music industry job postings are in California, making UCLA ideally located for those pursuing a music business career. The music industry major is also designed to attract and support incoming transfer students from California community colleges, which creates affordability and access. Students benefit from the program’s immersion in the L.A. music industry and from a continually expanding roster of guest speakers — including Nabil Ayers, president of Beggars Group and host of the Identified podcast, and Tiffany Red, Grammy-winning songwriter and founder of The 100 Percenters — and adjunct professors.
Faculty: Kathryn Frazier, founder of public relations firm Biz 3, whose clients include The Weeknd, J. Cole, Lil Baby and Lauryn Hill, recently joined the faculty and teaches the course Finding Your Voice.
From left: CAA’s Rob Light, Black Music Action Coalition co-founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Biz 3’s Kathryn Frazier and Aqil Davidson attend BMAC’s pre-gala dinner in Los Angeles. Frazier teaches at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
University of Colorado Denver (College of Arts & Media)Denver
CU Denver, as the public university is known, prepares students for success in the music business and to move the industry forward, both locally and globally. Students in the Music Cities class last year engaged online with industry leaders in international markets including Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as with leading professionals in U.S. markets including Nashville, Los Angeles, Austin and Seattle. Many of the business faculty have substantial industry experience and use their relationships to open opportunities for jobs and internships. The College of Arts & Media is the home of one of the first student chapters of Nashville Songwriters Association International, further strengthening opportunities for networking.
Course: Music Business in the Digital Age studies current trends, practices and business models, with an eye on their implications for the future, covering topics including AI, data analysis, privacy and technology surrounding live-music ticketing.
University of Miami (Frost School of Music)Miami
With a wide range of courses and proximity to the Latin offices of many major music companies, University of Miami’s Frost School offers a bachelor of arts in music industry for nonmusicians and a bachelor of music in music industry for performers. Its faculty are highly experienced industry professionals who are active in the field, and courses — including Music Publishing, where students learn about the A&R process and how publishing agreements are structured — continually evolve to keep pace with the industry. The program also offers a variety of student-run enterprises including ’Cane Records, Cat 5 Music and Frost Sounds, as well as a campus radio station, concert production organization, numerous Frost concert halls, the student Music Industry Association and an active Grammy U community.
Faculty: Olga Cardona, a 16-year veteran of Universal Music Publishing Group, brings with her three decades of experience in the Latin music business, with expertise in performing rights and publishing.
University of North Texas (College of Music)Denton, Texas
UNT’s College of Music, located on the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, boasts the country’s largest public university music program. It offers degrees from the bachelor to doctoral levels and is home to the world’s first jazz studies degree program, now in its 77th year. The school continually adds faculty and courses to the curriculum, offered fully online or in a hybrid format, with options ranging from music leadership to performing arts management to touring. The school’s MBA in music business, launched just three years ago, supports student goals within music technology and entrepreneurship. In 2021, the Yamaha Institution of Excellence program included the UNT College of Music in its inaugural list of 10 distinguished colleges and universities recognizing extraordinary commitment to innovation in the study of music.
Event: Julian Peterson, associate director at Gearbox Software and a composer, audio programmer, sound designer and researcher, recently stopped by to talk with students.
University of Rochester (Eastman School of Music)Rochester, N.Y.
Students at University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music benefit from the ability to combine a master of arts in music leadership with other disciplines including an MBA from the university’s Simon Business School. The curriculum emphasizes developing arts administration and leadership skills and requires real-world experiences through a capstone project. Eastman also offers commercial industry experience through the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media — founded by alum and five-time Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal — where students compose and produce music, perform and conduct in studio orchestras and can collaborate on cross-disciplinary projects in tandem with the Rochester Institute of Technology’s film, animation and video game-developing schools. Those interested in electronic/dance music currents can practice their craft in the school’s Electroacoustic Music Studios.
Event: Former Boston Symphony Orchestra CEO Mark Volpe offered workshops, presentations and individual advising with students last spring and was the 2023 commencement speaker.
University of Southern California (Thornton School of Music)Los Angeles
For nonperformers who want to understand the complexities of the music business, USC Thornton offers an expansive curriculum, well-respected faculty — including new adjunct professors Jane Davidson, an entertainment law and litigation attorney, and Joe Poindexter, chief communications officer/executive vp of digital at Pulse Music Group — and close ties with the L.A. music community. Students can earn either a bachelor of science or master of science degree in music industry, and they benefit from an abundance of networking, internship and job opportunities, leveraging their relationships with fellow students, faculty and guest speakers. Among recent guests on campus: Nederlander senior vp of marketing Jamie Loeb; Marty Hom, a tour director/manager who has worked with Beyoncé and Olivia Rodrigo; and Virgin Music Group president Jacqueline Saturn.
Alum: Justin Lubliner developed a marketing and PR company while at USC Thornton that evolved into his artist development company, The Darkroom. His second signing was Billie Eilish.
William Paterson UniversityWayne, N.J.
Internships are the backbone of the music and entertainment industries major and minor programs at William Paterson University. The school bolsters its forward-looking curriculum with workshops on topics including résumé-building and creating LinkedIn profiles, as well as professionalism seminars — all geared toward success in the real world. William Paterson’s alumni include Joelle Filippi, senior label analyst at Columbia Records; Shannon D’Amore, manager of booking at Prudential Center and White Eagle Hall; and Stephanie Grimes, senior manager of copyright at Downtown Music Publishing and, previously, at Songtrust. The program also hosts numerous industry insiders each year, including Symphonic Distribution chief creative officer Randall Foster, who recently stopped by to share wisdom.
Course: Students in the Entrepreneurship in the Music & Entertainment Industry class envision a new company — and then create a business plan for it.
This story appears in the Oct. 26, 2024, issue of Billboard.
As earnings season prepares to get underway, K-pop companies were among the week’s rare winners as music stocks broke a six-week winning streak.
YG Entertainment surged 6.1% this week as the company appears to have scored a hit with “APT” by ROSÉ, a member of the girl group BLACKPINK, featuring Bruno Mars. The track got off to a blistering start this week, topping Spotify’s global and U.S. daily streaming charts and earning 13.3 million streams in the U.S. in its first four days of release. SM Entertainment, home to NCT 127 and RIIZE, rose 4.1%, while HYBE, with a roster including Seventeen and Tomorrow X Together, improved 2.1%. JYP Entertainment, the agency behind Stray Kids and ITZY, improved 1.4%.
Stock prices are likely to see movement in the coming weeks as companies release their results for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The first music companies out of the gate are Reservoir Media (Oct. 30), SiriusXM (Oct. 31), Universal Music Group (Oct. 31) and Cumulus Media (Nov. 1). Other companies that have announced earnings release dates include Sony Corp. (Nov. 8), Tencent Music Entertainment (Nov. 12), Live Nation (Nov. 12) and Spotify (Nov. 12).
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The 20-company Billboard Global Music Index (BGMI) fell 0.6% to 1,974.72 in the week ended Oct. 25 after breaking 2,000 for the first time the prior week and posting gains the previous five weeks. In the week ended Oct. 18, the BGMI reached 2,001.28, more than doubling in value since the index launched in February 2022. After the recent decline, the index’s year-to-date gain stood at 29.7%, ahead of both the Nasdaq composite (up 23.4%) and S&P 500 (up 21.8%).
Stock markets were mixed this week. In the U.S., the S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 18,518.61 while the Nasdaq composite fell 1.0% to 5,808.12 despite Tesla’s 22% gain after the electric vehicle maker beat earnings expectations and upgraded its growth outlook. In the U.K., the FTSE 100 dropped 1.6% to 8,248.84. South Korea’s KOSPI composite index dipped 0.4% to 2,583.27. China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.2% to 3,299.70.
Outside of South Korean companies, one of the biggest movers of the week was Live Nation. Ahead of the company’s Nov. 12 earnings release, numerous analysts increased their price targets on the concert promoter’s stock this week: Redburn Atlantic (to $126 from $118), Jefferies (to $132 from $113), JP Morgan (to $137 from $118) and Goldman Sachs (to $132 from $128). Given that the third quarter is historically Live Nation’s strongest period and the company has set all-time records in previous quarters, Q3 results are likely to boast more all-time highs.
Spotify was one of the index’s few stocks to post a weekly gain — albeit with just a 0.1% increase. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Spotify on Wednesday to $430 from $400. Analysts see much upside for Spotify. Global subscription penetration (excluding China) “remains relatively low” at 15%, Goldman analysts explained in a Tuesday (Oct. 22) investor note, and Spotify has the ability to further raise prices. Additionally, they wrote, Spotify’s growing audiobook business proved the company can generate more revenue from its subscribers than was possible when it offered just music.
Most music stocks had modest, single-digit declines this week. Warner Music Group fell 0.1% to $32.38, Universal Music Group dropped 1.9% to 23.61 euros, Tencent Music Entertainment declined 3.2% to $11.50, Reservoir Media dipped 3.4% to $8.55, iHeartMedia was down 4.3% to $1.80, and both Sphere Entertainment Co. and SiriusXM were off 4.4%.
LiveOne was the week’s biggest loser after falling 10.6% to $0.58. The music streamer has fallen 38% since its Oct. 1 announcement that Tesla will no longer subsidize the LiveOne-powered streaming service in new vehicles. Radio broadcaster Cumulus Media dropped 9.4% to $1.16, bringing its year-to-date decline to 78.2%.
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Toronto is preparing for a new era.
Taylor Swift will bring her behemoth Eras Tour to the biggest city in Canada for six sold-out shows in November. But Torontonians know all too well that major concerts can lead to bad traffic downtown. The city has announced that to help those shows run more smoothly, there will be a ‘Limited Activity Zone’ around the Rogers Centre stadium during the two weeks of Swift-mania.
Planned work in the zone — like construction or filming — will be limited to off-peak hours and will require express permission from the City of Toronto, though emergency work will be allowed.
The zone covers a sizeable area of Toronto’s downtown and will aim to keep traffic flowing as roughly 240,000 fans attend Taylor Swift’s performances. The affected industries shouldn’t be too worried though — the zone will only be in place for a fortnight, from Nov. 11 to 25.
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The ‘Limited Activity Zone’ isn’t the only infrastructural adjustment needed to account for Swift’s superstardom. Rogers revealed last week that it just completed an $8 million upgrade to its 5G network at the Rogers Centre, so fans can livestream the enchanting spectacle in real-time — or just text their friends, which can be tough during service overloads at major events.
The route from Rogers Centre north to Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, where City Hall sits, will also be renamed Taylor Swift Way for the month. Signs will designate the new name, guiding fans into the ‘Limited Activity Zone’ where Swift will take the stage.
The city is anticipating a major financial boost from Swift’s visit, with over $250 million in economic impact projected.
Taylor Swift performs in Toronto from Nov. 14-16 and again from Nov. 21-23. –Rosie Long Decter
Slipstream Acquires Anthem Entertainment’s Extensive Production Music Portfolio
Music licensing platform Slipstream has announced that it has acquired the production music portfolio of Toronto-based music rights company Anthem Entertainment.
The acquisition of Anthem Production Music Group includes three major brands: Anthem’s production music agency Jingle Punks, independent production music library 5 Alarm Music, and U.K.-based independent production music publisher Cavendish Music. The net result is the addition of over 650,000 tracks to Slipstream’s catalog.
Slipstream says the acquisition positions it as “the largest global independent music licensing platform.”
There are long and close connections between the principal players involved. Slipstream was founded in 2021 by CEO Dan Demole and chief revenue officer Jesse Korwin. Demole was the co-founder of Jingle Punks and former president of Anthem Production Music Group, while Korwin served as managing director of Jingle Punks.
“This acquisition is a homecoming for us,” says Demole. “Jesse and I built both Jingle Punks and Slipstream on the foundation of making great music accessible to every type of creator. We now have an unprecedented opportunity to build on the success of both brands while leading the next wave of innovation in music licensing. With this vast catalog and our tech-enabled platform, we’re not only the largest independent player in the space, but also the most innovative.”
The expanded platform will serve a diverse client base, from individual content creators and small businesses to global brands and enterprises. Slipstream said the acquisition is in line with its goal to streamline music licensing across TV, film, advertising, gaming, social media and brands.
Anthem Entertainment will make an investment in Slipstream as part of the transaction. Anthem Entertainment CEO, Jason Klein, who is one of Billboard Canada’s 2024 Power Players in the Publishing category, commented: “Anthem’s focus since my appointment in January 2023 has been on building its core music publishing and recorded music divisions, while considering the best path forward for our production music businesses.”
“This sale to Slipstream has placed Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm and Cavendish Music back in the familiar and capable hands of proven leaders in the production music and technology space. Dan and Jesse already know these businesses and have a unique vision for their future as part of Slipstream. Our belief in them as leaders and their vision is the reason we have also chosen to invest in Slipstream going forward.”
The New York City-headquartered Jingle Punks has long maintained an office in Toronto, alongside branches in Santa Monica, London, Sydney and Melbourne. – Kerry Doole
Billboard Canada Parent Company AMG Acquires Major Stake in Music Festival NXNE
Artshouse Media Group (AMG) has acquired a major stake in Toronto music festival North By Northeast (NXNE).
The media company — which publishes Billboard Canada, Billboard UK and Rolling Stone Quebec and also owns Arts Help, Waveland Canada and the Climate Library — will own 50% of the long-running festival. The acquisition begins a long-term partnership, starting with NXNE’s landmark 30th anniversary edition from June 11-June 15, 2025.
“This partnership with NXNE comes at an exciting time for both Billboard Canada and AMG. As NXNE marks its 30th anniversary, we are aligning our shared goals of elevating artists and engaging music lovers,” says Amanda Dorenberg, CEO of Billboard Canada and AMG. “Together, we’ll amplify the festival’s impact, providing artists with a broader platform to reach audiences and creating new ways for fans to discover fresh talent.”
Michael Hollett will continue as NXNE’s president and CEO, while Barbara Hefler serves as managing director.
NXNE launched in 1995 and quickly established itself as the heart of Toronto’s live music scene. Originally formed in partnership with Austin’s SXSW, it evolved its own identity for recognizing and showcasing emerging talent in the early stages of international success. Artists from Lizzo to Daniel Caesar, Feist, Grimes, The Beaches, Mac DeMarco, Haviah Mighty, Sam Roberts and Billy Talent have played critical NXNE showcases at breaking points in their careers.
The festival has also been responsible for some legendary headlining shows from acts including Iggy Pop & The Stooges (one of the biggest free shows ever in downtown Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square), Vince Staples, the Flaming Lips, The National, Post Malone, Tyler, The Creator and many more.
The collaboration with AMG and Billboard Canada will grow the festival’s reach in its landmark 30th anniversary edition with new co-produced programming and activations to be announced soon.
Artist applications are open now at nxne.com. 2025 venues will include The Garrison, Drake Underground, Collective Arts brewery and more, plus a new official festival headquarters at The Theatre Centre on Queen West.
The 30th anniversary edition will celebrate the festival’s rich history and the big acts who have played over the decades, while staying committed to its “Listen to the Future” tagline and its commitment to always looking for the next big thing in music.
“We want to meet and exceed NXNE’s ‘glory days’ as a citywide, community-engaging discovery festival,” says Hollett.
Time to drop the needle on the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Read on for (mostly) good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of top executives leading the live sector, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.
Gayle Troberman, iHeartMedia’s chief marketing officer for the past decade, is transitioning to a senior advisory role. In a joint memo to staff, chief executive Bob Pittman and president and COO Richard Bressler praised Troberman’s “major impact” on innovation and brand development efforts at the radio giant, adding, “we fully expect her influence to continue in her new role. We’re grateful for her innovative thinking and insights, and we’re pleased she will continue to contribute to the company.” In her advisory role, Troberman will continue leading thought leadership initiatives, including the “New American Consumer” studies, and remain active at key industry events like CES and Cannes Lions. Prior to iHeart, Troberman was CMO at IPG Mediabrands and spent a high-impact 16 years at Microsoft, where she was chief creative officer during rollouts for the Xbox, Bing and other major brands. A successor has not been announced.
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RADIO, RADIO: Lauren Burrows Coleman is joining Beasley as chief financial officer, effective Nov. 1, succeedinmg retiring CFO Marie Tedesco, who served for 33 years. Burrows Coleman previously led global financial operations at Wayfair and has held leadership roles at WindSail Capital Group, Wind Point Partners, GE Capital and Lehman Brothers … Jim Malito joined Black River Entertainment as director of radio promotion west coast. He continues to be based in Phoenix. Malito’s career includes time at Warner Music Nashville, BBR Music Group, and most recently Stone Country Records, where he served as vp of radio promotion and marketing … and Big Loud senior director of media Jess Anderson wrapped a three-and-a-half-year run with the label on Oct. 17, with plans to take a new position next month. She had just been promoted in August.
Triller Group unveiled Kevin McGurn as its next CEO, effective in November, when “further enhancements” to the TikTok rival’s leadership will be announced. McGurn, with experience at T-Mobile, Vevo and Hulu, has a strong track record in driving innovation and fostering growth, with achievements including leading Vevo’s global expansion and building Hulu’s sales team. Meanwhile, 1-800-Flowers.com founder James McCann joins Triller’s board as chairman of the nominations committee. McCann brings over 40 years of leadership experience, having served in governance roles at Willis Towers Watson and International Game Technology. Finally, former Triller CEO Bobby Sarnevesht will remain on the board, providing strategic guidance to McGurn and other leaders. “Our renewed focus means Triller Group is well positioned to deliver best in class entertainment, when, where and how our fans watch it,” said McGurn. “We will continue to build from our strong roots in vertical video, music and sports, and optimise our expertise in mobile and connected television.”
Isabel Quinteros
Jen, an ethically-trained AI music creation platform, appointed TikTok’s former global head of music partnerships Isabel Quinteros as senior vice president of marketing and industry relations. In her new role, Quinteros will develop a scalable framework to help artists monetize their contributions, fostering a sustainable model for AI-driven music creation. She’ll work closely with cofounder Shara Senderoff. Quinteros, a public relations expert, joined TikTok in 2019 and helped transform it into a key platform for artists, supporting artists in every phase of their careers. She also co-launched TikTok’s first IRL concert and led DEI initiatives, earning industry recognition. Senderoff praised Quinteros as a game-changer who can “bridge the worlds of music and tech, while keeping talent at the center,” while co-founder Mike Caren highlighted her skills in partnership-building and innovation, adding, “I’m confident that under her leadership, Jen will set a new standard for how AI can elevate creativity while ensuring artists remain at the heart of the process.”
Frontiers Label Group, the Italian metal label, appointed Amy Pugh as global digital marketing & social media manager. With over 15 years of industry experience, Pugh is the founder of digital marketing agency 10/13 Media and has held key roles at Sony Music Publishing, EMI, Universal Music Group and Stingray Music. She has managed or worked on global campaigns for a slew of major artists, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Wu-Tang Clan and Foo Fighters, among others. FLP president Serafino Perugino expressed enthusiasm for Pugh’s “massive expertise and fresh approach,” adding he’s “thrilled at the prospect of the added value that she will bring to the label and our artists.” Pugh, already a fan of several Frontiers acts — the label’s roster includes Blue Öyster Cult, Stryper, Winger and more — looks forward to contributing to the label’s success through innovative campaigns and projects.
The Academy of Country Music revealed its newly-elected board of directors for the 2024-2025 term. Previously announced officers for the ACM’s 2024-2025 term are Randy Bernard (chair), Cris Lacy (vice-chair), Jeff Krones (vice president), Carmen Romano (treasurer), Gayle Holcomb (sergeant-at-arms), Duane Clark (parliamentarian) and Tommy Moore (secretary). Newly elected board of directors members are Adam Weiser, Becky Gardenhire, BJ Hill, Cameo Carlson, Chandra LaPlume, Cyndi Forman, Deana Ivey, George Couri, Jon Loba, Kristie Sloan, Lee Thomas Miller, Marcel Pariseau, Margaret Hart, Martha Earls, Meredith Jones, Scot Calonge, Scott Scovill, Tim Roberts and Ward Guenther. Newly appointed director-at-large members of the board of directors are Aaron Spalding, Andy Moats, Benson Curb, Candice Watkins, Chris Lisle, Cindy Mabe, Curt Motley, Emily Falvey, Howie Edelman, Jeremy Holley, Matt Cottingham, Rod Phillips, Sally Seitz, Shawn McSpadden, Storme Warren and Tim Foisset. –Jessica Nicholson
The Orchard appointed Jeeyoung Lee as head of South Korea, overseeing operations from Seoul and reporting to evp and head of strategy, Prashant Bahadur. Lee, with nearly 20 years of experience at companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ E&M, will manage label relations, release strategies, global distribution and regional support. Additionally, Sungho “Jake” Bae has been named director, Asia Pacific Region, Artist and Label Services. Bae, also based in Seoul, focuses on release strategies and cross-country marketing, drawing on previous experience at Spotify and Big Hit Music, where he played a key role in BTS’s global success. John Park, svp of strategy and corporate development, will now focus on business opportunities in Korea, working closely with Lee on new signings and partnerships. The Orchard’s Korean roster features artists from Starship Entertainment, ABYSS, Eric Nam and more.
OpenPlay Inc. hired Chris McMurtry as senior solutions architect to enhance the platform’s features for label and publisher clients. McMurtry brings over 20 years of music tech expertise, having led product development at companies like Artist Growth, PEX and Exactuals, where he launched RAI, a machine learning tool designed to enhance song metadata. Earlier in his career, McMurtry founded Dart Music, an automated digital distribution platform specializing in complex metadata. His industry impact earned him recognition on Billboard’s 2019 Digital Power Players list.
Berklee made it official with Michael Shinn as executive director of Boston Conservatory at Berklee, effective Oct. 28. Shinn, who has served as interim executive director since August 2023, will lead new initiatives, programs and collaborations while contributing to Berklee’s strategic planning. During his interim tenure, he expanded the dance division, raised over $4.2 million, hired more than 30 faculty members and recruited a new dean of theater. Previously, Shinn was the Conservatory’s dean of music for six years. Before Berklee, he chaired keyboard studies at Juilliard, his alma mater, and also co-founded the pianoSonoma Music Festival. “Michael brings a wealth of leadership experience to the executive director role, as well as a passion for the development of the arts, arts education, and performing artists in a contemporary context,” said David Bogen, Berklee’s interim president. “He is incredibly collaborative and supportive of faculty, staff, and students.”
mtheory appointed Jared Losow as senior director of tour marketing and Dirk Lemmenes as vp of client relations. Losow, co-founder of Barley MGMT, will be based in NYC, while Lemmenes, former COO and management lead for Zac Brown Band, will work from Atlanta. Losow brings nearly 15 years of industry expertise, having worked at various indie labels and venues, plus he held leadership roles at In de Goot Entertainment, Relapse Records and the San Francisco Symphony. Lemmenes clocked over 20 years in artist management and operations. He has managed teams across marketing, finance and touring for Zac Brown Band and previously worked as a MTV music supervisor, a booking agent, record store owner and touring musician.
EastCoast Entertainment appointed Erin Collums as director of marketing. With over 12 years of experience in marketing and entertainment, Collums has managed campaigns for major sports organizations like the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte FC (MLS). At ECE, Collums will focus on enhancing the brand’s national presence through developing digital strategies to engage audiences and foster growth across corporate events, performing arts, comedy tours and various private entertainment programming. ECE president John Wolfslayer called it a “significant milestone in the company’s evolution” that Collums is joining the team, seeing her appointment as a key step as the company approaches its 50th anniversary. Passionate about live events, Collums believes in the transformative power of music and performance and looks forward to helping ECE create memorable experiences for clients.
ICYMI:
Michael Rapino
New York City nightclub complex Avant Gardner hired Josh Wyatt as its new CEO … Jeff Jones is stepping down as the CEO of The Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd after 17 years in the role … and Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has been deposed in the ongoing litigation over the 2021 disaster at the Astroworld music festival. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: Capitol Hires Breaker of Artists
The Music Sustainability Summit (MSS) has announced programming for its next event, which is set to take place on Feb. 3, 2025, at Solotech Studios in Los Angeles. Produced by the Music Sustainability Alliance (MSA), the second edition of the conference will focus on solutions to climate change’s effects on the music industry, with special […]
From Taylor Swift T-shirts to Fleetwood Mac Rumours vinyl LPs, the global music merchandise business will grow to a retail value of $16.3 billion by 2030, according to a new report by MIDiA Research.
Merch become a priority for many artists in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the concert business. And as touring resumed and fans opened their wallets, the global merch business rose to $13.4 billion in 2023. But merch sales are expected to cool considerably, as MIDiA forecasts merch sales will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 2.8% through the end of the decade. There’s still plenty of opportunity, though — if artists and merch companies don’t treat merch like a cash grab.
“As the market has become more sophisticated, fan expectations for quality have risen,” MIDiA’s Tatiana Cirisano said in a statement. “But record labels focusing on monetising fandom risk ‘overharvesting’ — exploiting this resource to the point of diminishing returns.”
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Music companies, Cirisano added, “must nurture deep, long-lasting fandom to sustain this growth.”
Physical music, which MIDiA considers to be merch because many consumers treat vinyl LPs and CDs as collectible items, is forecasted to peak in 2025 and decrease through 2030. Physical merchandise such as artist-branded apparel and digital merchandise such as virtual goods and NFTs are expected to make up for physical music’s decline and lift total merch revenues.
Merch isn’t the most financially appealing part of the music business. That would be digital music, which enjoys both higher margins and higher growth rates. In the first half of 2024, Universal Music Group’s recorded music business had earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin of 25.4%, nearly five times its merch division’s 5.3% EBITDA margin. And while MIDiA expects merch to grow at a 2.8% CAGR through 2030, Goldman Sachs forecasts the global music streaming market will grow at a 9.9% CAGR over that time frame.
But merch has always been an important part of the music business because of music fans’ unending desire for T-shirts and keepsakes of their favorite artists. Consolidation in the merch business began about six years ago as major labels and some indies invested in merchandising companies to diversify their revenues and expand the services they offer to artist clients.
Warner Music Group, for example, acquired German merch specialist EMP in 2018. Universal Music Group acquired boutique merch company Epic Rights in 2019. Sony Music Entertainment made a strategic investment in merchandise company Ceremony of Roses in 2022, and its Thread Shop merch agency purchased the merch division of The Araca Group in 2019. Also in 2019, Indie company EMPIRE took a majority stake in merch/ecommerce company Top Drawer Merch / Electric Family.
Collaborative Fund and Imaginary Ventures, with additional investment from BMG parent company Bertelsmann and superstar manager Guy Oseary, have led a multimillion fundraising round for [cafeteria], a new market research app that pays teens to opine on what they want from top U.S. brands.
Co-founded and led by Rishi Malhotra — known for creating India’s top streaming platform JioSaavn — Malhotra says [cafeteria] gleans marketing insights from a critical mass of teenagers through open-ended, one-on-one conversations that could start with questions like, “What do you wish McDonald’s had on its menu?” or “What do you think of this Billie Eilish song?”
Major brands can use the conversations with teens to glean insights — for example, teens on average say they are willing to pay $314 to see their favorite artist live — or identify trends before they’re trendy — like Canadian singer songwriter Tate McCrae, which teens were talking about in February, says Malhotra, whose co-founders on the app are former Luminary execs Mark Silverstein and Leeann Sheely.
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“Once something is already a trend, it might be a little late. But when something is pre-trend it’s very actionable,” says Malhotra, who came up with the idea for [cafeteria] by observing his own teenage children. “There is also future testing (applications), like, what do you think about this record?”
[cafeteria] soft-launched three months ago and now has a few thousand users in 39 U.S. states and 60 cities. On average they spend five minutes at [cafeteria]’s virtual “tables” — chat rooms where they answer artificial intelligence-generated questions either by text or voice note. While teens do earn money for providing feedback, Malhotra said they do not expect this to be a major money-making endeavor for its participants.
The seed funding round was led by Collaborative Fund, investors in Beyond Meat, Lyft and Sweetgreen, and Imaginary Ventures, investors in Skims, Glossier and Daily Harvest, followed by Oseary, an early investor in Peloton who leads the venture capital firm Sound Ventures with Ashton Kutcher, which has stakes in Uber, Airbnb, Spotify, Pinterest, Robinhood, and others.
The [cafeteria] app
[cafeteria]
Global royalty collections for song rightsholders grew 7.6% last year, to a new high of 11.75 billion Euros ($10.9 billion, based on the average exchange rate for 2023), according to CISAC (the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d´Auteurs et Compositeurs), the Paris-based collecting societies trade organization. Much of the growth was driven by two categories: Digital collections rose 9.6% to 4.52 billion Euros ($4.18 billion), while live and background music royalties grew 21.8% — fueled largely by the concert business — to overtake the pre-pandemic total from 2019.
The big collecting societies all had good years, but the CISAC report offers unparalleled insight into a complicated but important part of the music publishing business. (CISAC includes other collecting societies from outside the music business, but publishing accounts for most of these royalties, which are, in turn, more important to music than to other businesses. CISAC breaks out music royalties, but its figures only include those that go through CISAC member societies rather than direct deals.) There are no big surprises here: Digital has been the main driver of growth recently, more than doubling in five years from 2.06 billion Euros ($1.90 billion) in 2019 to 4.52 billion Euros ($4.18 billion) last year — although last year’s growth of 9.6% was lower than in any of the preceding four. Digital now accounts for 38.5% of collections, more than any other category.
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Collections for broadcast and live concerts and background music represent the two other major sources of revenue, accounting for 28.7% and 26.1%, respectively. (Background music refers to compositions played in public, at restaurants, stores or bars, for example.) Royalties from TV and radio declined 5.3% to 3.37 billion Euros ($3.11 billion) after a significant jump the previous year. They have stayed fairly steady over the past half-decade.
The live and background music figures are more complicated because of the disruption from the pandemic. Last year those categories grew to 3.06 billion euros ($2.82 billion), fueled mostly by the return of live music revenue, which in some regions may lag live music events. More significantly, that represents a 12.7% jump from 2019.
Collecting societies take in most of their business in Europe and the U.S.; CISAC has one category for Western Europe and another for the U.S. and Canada. Western Europe collections rose 8.2%, while those in the U.S. and Canada rose 7.8%. Taken as a whole, Europe accounts for more than half of total collecting society revenue, and the U.S. and Canada together account for another 27.1%. Asia-Pacific royalties shrank by .3%, largely due to currency fluctuations in Japan, without which the region would have seen 6.8% growth. The fastest growing region is Latin America, up by 26.2% — and by 108.2% over the past two years – although it only accounts for 5.9% of the overall market. Africa, where executives have seen massive potential for years, is still growing very slowly – up 3.2% to .6% of the overall market.
General CISAC collections are also up 7.6%, to 13.09 billion Euros ($12.1 billion), also an all-time high, with digital up 9.6% to 4.62 billion Euros ($4.3 billion). (This includes collecting societies for other media, such as writing and visual art, which many countries in Europe have.)
Billboard will follow this news story with a more extensive analysis of growth sectors, the future of various markets, and how this business might grow in the years ahead.
Music stars Snoop Dogg, SZA, Latto, Charlie Wilson, Metro Boomin and Tyler, the Creator are among this year’s slate of EBONY Power 100 honorees. The awards ceremony — which will also commemorate the legendary magazine’s 79th anniversary — will take place Nov. 17 at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles.
The 100 honorees are divided among 10 categories: Artists in Residence, Business Disruptors, Community Crusaders, Entertainment Powerhouses, Generation Next, Influential Creators, Leaders in Sport, Media Mavens, Music Innovators and STEM Trailblazers. Representing a diverse array of talent, business entrepreneurs, leaders and pioneers, the list’s additional 2024 honorees include Kevin Hart, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Jennifer Hudson, Maya Rudolph, Doechii, Jaylen Brown, Keke Palmer and Shannon Sharpe. For a complete list of EBONY Power 100 honorees and updates, visit here.
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In a release announcing the 2024 honorees, EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman said, “We have been gearing up for the most anticipated EBONY Power 100 yet. This iconic list is not just a celebration; it’s a vital recognition of those who are shaping culture and driving real change in our communities. At a time when honoring Black excellence is more important than ever, the excitement is building, and we are excited to unveil the transformative leaders who will define this year’s EBONY Power 100!”
Over the last several years, prior music industry honorees have included Usher, Tems, H.E.R., Travis Scott and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The 2024 EBONY Power 100 Gala is supported in sponsorship by Nationwide, Prime’s new original series Cross, United Airlines and Baccarat.
EMPIRE president Tina Davis took part in a keynote conversation during ADE 2024, speaking before a crowded audience at the annual dance music industry conference in Amsterdam.
The Saturday (Oct. 19 )talk spanned many facets of Davis’ career, starting when she was a 25-year-old running the A&R department at Def Jam and taking the bus to work.
“I didn’t have a car. I was sitting in a bus going to work every day, running Def Jam on the West Coast, making pennies,” Davis said while talking about pursuing her career despite feelings of self-doubt. “I think it’s just all about how much you want it, how much drive [you have] and how much you believe in yourself. Even though you might doubt yourself, just try anyway.”
The conversation, moderated by journalist Pay Komüs, focused largely on Davis’ work as president of EMPIRE, a position she ascended to in the summer of 2023 after five years at the independent Bay Area-based label, publisher and distributor. The executive spoke about working on EMPIRE’S global business, the importance of authenticity for artists and how such authenticity helped Shaboozey become one of the breakout artists of 2024. The hip-hop/country artist signed to EMPIRE IN 2021, and three years later his hit single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” made him famous. The song is currently in its 15th week at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
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Davis was one of the thousands of industry executives who traveled to Amsterdam for ADE, which has already announced dates for next year’s event: Oct. 22-26, 2025. These are five key takeaways from her keynote.
Working Globally Means Working Collaboratively
With teams in the U.S., Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Davis stressed that it’s crucial that each territory takes the lead in its own decision-making. “We’re not in San Francisco telling the people in Africa, ‘This is how you need to do it,’ or telling [our team] here in Amsterdam, ‘You need to do it this way,’” she said. “We can’t tell you how it needs to be done. We have a structure in mind. We know how we like it. We know it’s about authenticity. We know it’s about being culturally significant. But for the most part, we make sure we work with the people we have in our company and take their advice, listen to them; they listen to us, and we work together as a strategy in everything that we do.”
Every Artist Is a Partner
“We don’t sign artists, we sign partners,” Davis said of bringing new acts onto the roster. “We look at them as partners. We look at their business and figure out how we can help them scale up, just as we’re doing for ourselves.” For this type of structure to work, Davis stressed that trust is essential to “make sure that relationship is strong. We want to make sure that our artists feel our presence, and they understand how much we care about their future.”
Artist Authenticity Is Crucial
EMPIRE, Davis said, “is a company that leans heavily on authenticity and culture. If you’re not true to yourself, you can’t be true to us, and you can’t be true to your consumer.” The company “isn’t against” artists who consistently change styles, she continued, “but at the same time, it’s sort of like, ‘Okay, is that really who you are?’ Let’s figure out how we can get a middle ground, or figure out how you can present yourself in a different way, but still not lose the fan base you have.’”
On The Success of Shaboozey — And the Patience Required to Get Him to This Point
Expanding on her thoughts on authenticity, Davis said that EMPIRE is “intricate when it comes to making sure the direction fits the talent.” She recalled that when Shaboozey was presented to the company, “he had wicks in his head, he’s a tall African American, and he came in doing country and hip-hop. Nothing really was working at that time. It had happened before, but nothing at that time was really at the top of the charts that sounded like him.”
But Davis says that when the team met him, they felt his authenticity. “So you can’t tell somebody that looks like that, ‘Hey, you’re not country. You can’t do country,’” she said. During the three years Shaboozey was signed to EMPIRE before blowing up, “we honed in and allowed him to just continue on his journey and keep growing. He was putting out music, and the first records and project did okay, but it took a minute for it to get to this point, and we had the patience for that.”
Artists Don’t Need a Major Label to Succeed
Davis questioned the need for artists to be on a major label to be successful, suggesting they shift their mindset about major label deals being essential — particularly when it comes to artists maintaining control of their masters by staying independent. “I cannot tell you why someone like Justin Timberlake still has a record deal at a major,” Davis observed. “It makes no sense. Mind you, his deal probably is a little bit better than most of the newer artists that are coming up, but it still makes no sense; he should be distributing himself. He could go on TuneCore and make a lot more money than he’d make with that major from that big check that they give him.
She continued that changing artists’ mentality around major label deals has been “a process. It’s been an old rule for years that only majors can break you, but Shaboozey shows you right now that you really don’t need a major.”
Not Paying Attention To What Other People Are Doing Can Be a Key to Success
Davis observed that you’ve “got to kind of have blinders on when you’re working on your own thing, when you’re focused on your own vision, when you’re trying to accomplish something. You can’t look to the side, because you’re going to lose a race. You have to stay focused and look at what you’re working on because you have to figure out how you make your lane in the highway where everybody is still driving in the same direction.”
She also emphasized EMPIRE’S position as an innovator and leader, continuing that other companies “look at us. They follow us. They’re all turning toward where we have always been. When they started hiring DEI departments, we didn’t need it. We were already diverse. When they were like, ‘We need more women.’ We were 51% women. We were like, ‘We don’t need to worry about that.’ We’re purveyors of taste. We’re leaders; we don’t like to follow.”