Steve Stoute

Steve Stoute

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

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UnitedMasters' $70 Mil Play To Manage Music Data Better

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Savvy tech capital invests in Steve Stoute's insights on music marketing
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 2:03 pm

Messaging mastermind Steve Stoute has reformed his successful ad agency Translation so that it now exists within a holding company, side-by-side with his newest venture — UnitedMasters. Announced Nov. 15, this artist services company thinks it can do a better job of using consumer data to help artists grow their fanbase and help brands jump into win-win sponsorships.

In a post on Medium, UnitedMasters Chief Product Officer Jack Krawczyk describes how the company is set to bridge the "music data chasm." The UnitedMasters team believes that data insights "have been hamstrung by a world where the data is being overlooked in favor of pushing people to pay for a subscription."

This is an idea Google Founder Larry Page wants to get behind, as he pushed for parent company Alphabet to come into UnitedMasters' investor group, committing a total of $70 million alongside venture capital giant Andreesen Horowitz and 21st Century Fox.

Stoute is confident his insider perspective on music artists, fans and businesses can deliver better data insights for artists that are more actionable than competing services. Success could also give artists a stronger hand on their revenues, their marketing and how storytelling can combine these for a win-win.

11 Digital Music Businesses Built On Making New Connections

Jann Wenner photographed in 2006

Jann Wenner
 

Photo: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

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Penske Media Acquires 'Rolling Stone' Magazine Majority Stake

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The 50-year rock culture classic, reporting on music and important news, sells majority stake to Penske Media Corporation
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 21, 2017 - 12:12 pm

Following music and culture in the U.S. has often included reading Rolling Stone magazine over the past 50 years, thanks to the publishing success of Jann Wenner. So it came as a surprise last September when Wenner announced he would sell the magazine. Now, it has been announced Penske Media Corporation has acquired 51 percent of the magazine for an estimated $100 million. Wenner will remain on as editorial director.

Jay Penske, who also owns entertainment business magazine Variety, and PMC look forward to being a big part of what happens next.

"Our interest in Rolling Stone is driven by its people, its cultural significance and the globally recognized brand that has no peer in its areas of influence," Penske said. "We believe that Penske Media is uniquely qualified to partner with the Wenners to ensure the brand continues to ascend for decades across multiple media platforms."

The remaining 49 percent of Rolling Stone parent Wenner Media remains held by Singapore's BandLab.

Apple Acquires Music Recognition Service Shazam

firefighter fights the Thomas Fire

the Thomas Fire

Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

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Apple Pledges $1 Million For Southern California Fire Relief

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In both Northern and Southern California, Apple's welcome generosity benefits victims of 2017 wildfires who need it the most
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 12, 2017 - 4:08 pm

Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple pledged $1 million on Dec. 12 for relief and rebuilding efforts in response to the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires. These have consumed areas equivalent in size to entire cities and are not yet entirely contained.

This is the company's second gift this year to fight fire devastation in California. In October Apple also donated $1 million, at that time to fight fires raging in Northern California.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by the fires in Southern California, including our colleagues, friends and their families," Apple said. "Apple is donating $1 million to aid in the rebuilding and recovery efforts of the communities that have been impacted." The company also expects to make digital media fundraising solicitations across its digital platforms.

Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio Band To Perform Hurricane Relief Concert

Apple

Photo: Stephen Lam/Getty Images

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Apple Acquires Music Recognition Service Shazam

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A timely and major acquisition of Shazam by Apple heralds greater integration for music listening ahead
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 11, 2017 - 12:15 pm

Apple is one of the top global companies and pioneers legal music online. While it builds marketshare for its Apple Music streaming service music recognition platform Shazam looks like a perfect match.

Tipped to TechCrunch on Dec. 8 and confirmed by Apple on Dec. 11, the deal is estimated in the $400 million range. Apple used the word "thrilled" to describe merging Shazam's corporate vision and trajectory into the Apple Music experience.

"Today, [Shazam is] used by hundreds of millions of people around the world across multiple platforms," Apple said in a statement provided to Billboard. "Apple Music and Shazam are a natural fit, sharing a passion for music discovery and delivering great music experiences to our users."

This acquisition has a nice glow because Shazam has been such a must-have app for years, and like many other services, has struggled to survive. It remains to be seen what Apple does with its "hundreds of millions" Shazam users.

SoundCloud's "Creator-Focused" Path To Survival

United Nations

United Nations

Photo: Michael Gottschalk/Photothek/Getty Images

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Human Rights Day Hits Musical High Note With U.N.

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First High Note Music Prize to be awarded next year by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 8, 2017 - 5:43 pm

Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 commemorates the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Now a new High Note international partnership including the GRAMMY Museum has come together to commemorate music's power to stand up for the human rights principles of "the equality and dignity of every person."

"We commend The High Note Project and the U.N. Human Rights Office on their launch of The High Note Music Prize, which will place a deserved spotlight on artists using their music and platform for good," said GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman. "Music is a powerful tool, and when used to call out injustice that power inspires goodwill in others and affects change across a broad spectrum of social issues."

High Note Project executive producers David Clark and Chantel Sausedo are helping to organize the first annual High Note Honors Concert in London, Fall 2018, with proceeds benefitting a charity to be chosen by its recipient — a major recording artist with more than a decade of philanthropic efforts — as well as the GRAMMY Museum and the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

GRAMMY Museum Awards $200K For Music Grants