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The independent vinyl retail community in the United States has called for an end to the practice of direct-to-consumer pre-sell exclusivity windows. A pre-sell exclusivity window is described as when an artist or label’s website “is the first and only destination upon album announcement” where fans can pre-order an upcoming new album on vinyl. According […]

Symphonic Distribution, a music technology and services company for independent artists and labels, has announced the appointment of Stephen Nightingale as Vice President, A&R and Business Development, Canada. Nightingale, a music industry professional with over two decades of experience, will lead Symphonic’s expansion efforts in the Canadian market. Reporting to Randall Foster, Chief Creative Officer at

Tensions are high between entertainment giant HYBE and its subsidiary label ADOR, known for managing the breakout girl group NewJeans. HYBE has confirmed to MBW that it is auditing ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and other high-ranking officials, and has also called for a shareholder meeting on Monday (April 22).   The reasons for the audit haven’t been officially disclosed by HYBE,

Music, film and television management and production firm Range Media Partners has secured a minority investment from a group of investors including Liberty Global and the family office of TPG chairman David Bonderman. This new capital, as reported by Variety on Monday (April 22), will fuel Range’s growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions. The investor group comprises affiliates of Liberty Global; an investment

Primary Wave Music has struck a music rights deal with singer, songwriter, and musician Neil Finn, founding member of rock band Crowded House. Described by Primary Wave as a “multi-million-dollar deal,” the publisher says that the agreement will see the company acquire Finn’s music publishing catalog and writer’s share of public performance for his work with

Universal Music France (UMF) has entered into a new strategic relationship with Binetou Sylla, a producer and founder of the independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music. The partnership will see Paris-based Binetou Sylla lead Def Jam Africa within French-speaking markets on the continent, in collaboration with Universal Music France and its Capitol France division. Def Jam Africa launched in May

Big Life Management, a Reservoir Media-owned company, has announced the promotion of Kat Kennedy, Colin Roberts, and Claire Kilcourse to partners, with Kennedy additionally assuming the role of Managing Director. Kennedy’s journey at Big Life began in March 2006, starting from a junior position and steadily climbing the ranks over 18 years. Her previous role as General

Yesterday (April 20), MBW told you that Blackstone had submitted a proposal with a view to acquiring Hipgnosis Songs Fund (HSF) for approximately USD $1.50 billion. That proposal was not – just as MBW reported and Blackstone made clear – a “firm offer”… yet. Before issuing a “firm offer”, Blackstone is waiting on the reaction from the board of UK-listed HSF.

Warner Music South East Europe (WM SEE) has announced the launch of Balkan Electro, a new record label dedicated to amplifying EDM artists from the Balkans and Ukraine. The initiative aims to provide a global platform for these musicians, WM SEE said in a press release on Friday (April 19). Balkan Electro is the product

A couple of weeks ago, acquisitive London-based music rights company Bella Figura Music closed “a significant equity funding round” led by private equity firm Freshstream. The round also secured investments from a consortium of institutional investors, including the Canadian pension fund OPTrust, a strategic family office and a Dutch private equity investor. Freshstream is an existing shareholder in