Music Business Worldwide News

1. Sony/ATV signs global deal with songwriter & producer Freddy Wexler

   He has collaborated with the likes of Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and others

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2. UK government announces $2bn funding package for the arts – including music venues

   “This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down.”

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3. Hipgnosis revenues topped $80m in FY2020 – now it’s raising another $250m

   More money for Merck coming as firm beats management expectations for annual revenues

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4. Sony PlayStation joins hundreds of companies in Facebook advertising boycott until end of July

   Music companies Anjunabeats, Cooking Vinyl and Epitaph are also participating

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5. Live broadcasting platform Caffeine raises $113m in Series D funding round

   Platform claims to have added 2m new registered users over the last year

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6. Facebook expands availability of fan subscription and tipping tools

   Fan subscriptions and Stars are available in additional markets

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7. Apple Music launches new artist discovery program Africa Rising

   Omah Lay is the inaugural artist and cover star of the companion playlist

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8. Nigeria’s Mavin Records partners with music licensing startup SyncFloor

   Deal aims to bring label’s catalog to more potential sync buyers

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9. Scott Packman named Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Madison Square Garden Entertainment

   Exec had a 14-year career at MGM Holdings/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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10. Tencent Music Entertainment inks strategic partnership with Japanese animation studio, CoMix Wave Films

    Partnership will see original soundtracks from 17 animated movies go live on TME's music platforms

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