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Job Board News

NEW JOB: Heroic Music Management seeks Artist and Marketing Manager

One of the most influential artist management companies in the world, Heroic, is looking to grow its team with a new artist and marketing manager.

Heroic Music Management is hiring. There are many great job opportunities in the music industry right now, but landing a role at a company as prolific and respected as Heroic would be a stepping stone for anyone trying to build a lasting presence in the world of entertainment.

Do you live and breathe to be in the music industry, and do you aspire to build and develop talent? As Artist and Marketing Manager you will be a core part of the Heroic management team, showing up to work every day to improve the careers of their clients. You will work closely with the other managers and departments at Heroic and will assume day-to-day responsibilities for our clients and have the possibility to become an Artist Manager for new clients in due time.

Duties will include relationship management with clients, digital marketing (DSPs, social media), grassroots marketing (fan-activations and innovative initiatives), branding, product management, managing third parties – and everything else that management entails. You’ll report to the Heroic General Manager and CEO.

The position of Artist and Marketing Manager may be a remote role for the right professional, but the selected individual may be asked to work out of the Heroic headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

A job at Heroic will find you working with some of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as the people who helped them get established. Some current clients the company represents include San Holo, DROELOE, Taska Black, and Unlike Pluto.

Think this job is right for you? Head over to the company’s official website and apply today!

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Haulix News Podcasts

Inside Music Podcast #165: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

After releasing one of the year’s most devastating records, Frank Carter stops by Inside Music to discuss the strength of vulnerability and his aspirations for the future.

Our culture is changing, but there are generations of men walking the planet today who were raised with the belief that showing emotion somehow makes them weak. For decades, men have been told to hide their struggles and to suppress any sadness because no one would respect them if the weight of the world was present on their face.

Frank Carter does not give a damn about your pre-conceived notions of masculinity. He is known the world over as a human ball of energy, frantically parading across stages while screaming his lungs out and sharing the things that keep him up at night. Carter could care less if you think telling truth about how you feel is weak, and he’s inspiring others to feel the same with the latest release from his band, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes.

Titled End Of Suffering, Carter’s latest work is a compilation of demons being exorcised into a microphone. As the record plays, Carter rips himself open in a manner that simultaneously more poetic and blunt than anything he has delivered on previous releases. It’s the kind of album that makes you stop and question your actions, as well as the motivations behind them, and it has stuck with our staff since first being promoted through Haulix earlier this year.

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Frank Carter to discuss how he’s managed to overcome struggles and become a better person through his tireless pursuit of the perfect song. The latest record from Frank Carter And The Rattlesnake, End of Suffering, is available now wherever you experience music

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/165-frank-carter-and-the-rattlesnakes

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Artist Advice Business Advice Haulix News

Fans matter more than listeners

You will never please everyone, so don’t bother trying to win over those who don’t care. One-thousand diehard fans are better than one-million casual listeners any day of the week.

One of the biggest lies that has been sold to us in business is the idea that constant growth is the only way to be successful. Take a look at the largest corporations around the globe, and you will find that they are obsessed with finding ways to increase their bottom line. They want to raise revenue and cut costs no matter what, year after year, until the end of time (or the end of their business).

We bought into this thinking for a long time as well. When we first started Haulix, our goal was to be the industry’s only promotional distribution platform. We had competition even back then, but we were headstrong and confident in our product. Ten years later and the competition has only increased, all while the industry has undergone one of the most radical changes in its one-hundred-year history. We’re still here, we’re bigger than ever, but you know what? We’re still not sure if we’re truly the biggest company in our market and we’re okay with that. Really!

You don’t want to be for everyone. When everyone relies on you the opportunity to be unique is removed because you continuously have to appeal to the broadest possible audience. Creativity thrives in the margins. You want to appeal to people who get what you’re doing, and you want to empower them to spread the good word about your creative output to those who will listen. Anything beyond that, any attempt to cater to people who otherwise wouldn’t give you the time of day, is a hollow effort that will eventually burn out.

The artists who thrive in today’s industry do so because they understand the value of a fan. A single fan can do more for your career than a thousand people who hear your song on the radio and think it’s “pretty good.” You know why? Because real fans feel your success in music is somehow representative of their success in life. If you can make it, they can too, or vice verse. Real fans join you on the journey.

The only way to attract this type of fan is to be true to yourself. Make the music you want to make, and the fans will follow. It may only be a few at first, but if you engage with them and make it known their support is appreciated more fans will follow in time. You see, people like to be appreciated because it means they matter to someone or something, and when they feel that way they are inclined to promote whatever makes them feel as though they belong.

You don’t want to appeal to everyone. Those who appeal to everyone are destined to get lost in the shuffle when the next great artist or song comes along. You want to appeal to the people who feel the way you do right now. If you can manage that, the sky is the limit for your career. Maybe you won’t be an international star performing to sixty-thousand people a night, but you will find a way to earn money from your creativity while engaging with like-minded people. The value of that experience has no price. It is something rare and true and only allotted to those who chase their dreams to the fullest without sacrificing themselves in the process.

Stay who you are. The rest will follow.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Haulix News

Music Biz 101: How to avoid burnout in the music business

Burnout comes for us all, and it can have life-changing consequences. In this video, we will help you recognize the warning signs and take action.

According to a figure we just made it, burnout causes more current and aspiring music professionals to abandon their chosen career path. The human body and mind have not evolved to work around the clock, nor are those things meant to feel the pressure to create at all waking hours of the day. When you feel yourself hitting a wall, burnout is not far behind.

Burnout is the feeling of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. Everyone you know has experienced burnout at some point in their life, and how they reacted to that affliction likely shaped the person they have become. Music professionals have a higher likelihood of feeling the effects of burnout than most because we work in a field that is primarily driven by creative output. Whether you’re an artist hoping to top the charts or someone hoping to work behind the scenes, the business of music thrives on innovation, but no one is supposed to work all the time (even if some people in power may claim otherwise).

In this episode of Music Biz 101, host James Shotwell breaks down the causes of burnout and what you can do to prevent it from consuming your life. Learn more and watch additional clips by subscribing to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2W8bEis.

Categories
Industry News Job Board News

Music Industry Job Board (June 17, 2019)

New openings:

Artist Royalty Manager (UMG – Los Angeles, CA)

The Artist Royalty Manager will be responsible for maintaining royalty processes pertaining to Artist, Producer and other sound recording participant accountings. This is a key role to help ensure that we are accurately reporting royalties to artists and third parties in accordance with the applicable contracts and licenses.

Manager, Global Privacy Office (Sony – NYC)

The Global Privacy Office is the team responsible for maintaining and enhancing ’s global privacy management program, helping ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws, regulations, and internal policy requirements. In addition to fostering a corporate culture that respects privacy and builds trust with ’s customers, employees, fans, artists and business partners.

Manager, Contract Administration (WMG – NYC)

This is a unique opportunity to join the Business & Legal Affairs department. In contract administration, we are responsible for reviewing and vetting all audio and video material released by the company, including ensuring timely clearance of all third party side-artist issues. We additionally oversee all third-party licensing requests and draft various ancillary agreements. You will have the opportunity to work with various departments across multiple labels (Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra, Fueled by Ramen, Roadrunner).

Manager, Global Content & Artist Channel Strategy, YouTube (UMG – Santa Monica, CA)

UMG is seeking a passionate music enthusiast with creativity and innovation as well as business acumen that will be responsible for YouTube content creation, production, monetization features, channel management, and strategy.

Director, Western Studios (UMG – Los Angeles, CA)

We are seeking a Director with our Production Services team to support Western Studios [Capitol Music Group’s creative space] in Los Angeles. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of the studios, including scheduling, customer service, and facility operation.

Music Content Specialist, Indie / Alt (Vaco – Nashville, TN)

As a Music Content Specialist – Indie/Alternative Music, you are a self-starter who will ramp up quickly to contribute to our Music Programming team. You have experience working as a playlist curator, music journalist or critic, or editor for a digital music service. You are well-versed in the music genre of Indie/Alternative music.

Digital Content Manager (Tennessee Performing Arts Center – Nashville, TN)

Builds and maintains sophisticated digital media footprint, both on location and online, by developing, photographing, filming, and editing multimedia content to promote institutional messaging and support ticket sales for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and War Memorial Auditorium as part of a fresh, relevant, engaging and cohesive content strategy.

General Manager, Arkiv (Naxos Of America – Franklin, TN)

Responsible for day-to-day operations of the leading e-commerce website specializing in classical music in the US and its sister site for jazz music. Also involved in the transitioning of both sites to a newly built multi-store environment.

Senior Manager, A&R Administration (UMG – NYC)

If you enjoy spreadsheets, numbers, showing off your organizational skills, and assisting the creative process from behind the scenes, this is the perfect job for you. Your days will include tracking important delivery paperwork, accounts payable activity, collaborating with artist/producer management, troubleshooting budget concerns with A&R, providing accurate and timely information to Senior Management and so much more.

Loyalty Operations Manager, Google Play (Google – Mountain View, CA)

As a Loyalty Operations Manager, you’ll program manage all of the offers the team runs on the Play Store and oversee operations for the team, with the goal of increasing the scale of our programs. You will craft new processes to support new areas of business. You’ll drive outstanding product excellence that results in increased campaign performance, and work closely with our Product Specialists and Product Marketing Managers on the testing of new promotional capabilities and tools. You will begin managing a team of 3 contracted operations associates and will work cross-functionally across the Merchandising Marketing teams, Legal, and Product, to bring the Store lifecycle campaigns from concept to life.

KRQQ Assistant Program Director / On-Air Talent (iHeartMedia – Tucson, AZ)

Supports and assists Program Director in all aspects of radio station’s on air experience including: talent, content, tone, programming, production, sound & theme, and online presence.

Music and Entertainment Booker (McMenamins – Tacoma, WA)

This position will focus on booking local Tacoma bands, support acts, and run the booking for the music venue which will be located at the Elks Lodge, in Tacoma. Ideal candidates will already have or has the ability to develop relationships with national agents.

Music Magazine Advertising Executive (Static Live Media – Orlando, FL)

Seeking an advertising sales representative for an established monthly Music and Art Publication. We have a niche market of readers with desirable demographics in income and education. Some leads provided. Territories available include Volusia county, Sanford, Orlando.

General Manager (School of Rock – Saint Paul, MN)

The General Manager (GM) runs the show from ACDC to Zappa creating a safe and cool environment for students to achieve their musical and creative potential. We want as many kids as possible to have the opportunity to experience the magic that is School of Rock. Our GMs bring that commitment to life working with every part of the school’s community to put on epic shows through which our students learn music and life skills. The GM is the primary owner of the relationship with our students and parents.

Head of Music and Voice (PHMG – Chicago, IL)

The Head of Music and Voice is a unique role that requires an exacting combination of commercial ingenuity and artistic flair. With previous experience in the creative music industry or in an advertising agency, you’ll equally balance the needs of the business, the client and the creative talent. And as a true people person, you’ll have the innate ability to liaise with people at all levels – as well as the confidence to present to leading company figures.

Music Marketing Program Manager, Apple Music (Apple – Culver City, CA)

Apple is in search of an ambitious and motivated consumer and content marketer with robust marketing experience to join our Music team in Culver City. You will be responsible for developing successful campaigns and programs designed to reach specific consumer/audience segments. This position works hand in hand across the organization, as well as with music content providers and third-party partners to reach consumers/music fans, with a special focus on the Hip Hop and R&B genres. The Apple Music marketing team is responsible for driving trials and subscriptions, as well as developing creative campaigns that resonate with consumers, and you will have an integral role in achieving those objectives.

Manager, Music Administration (Jazz at Lincoln Center – New York, NY)

The Manager, Music Administration will assist in music preparation for JALC concerts and events, and the tracking of music library archival information. Reporting directly to the Director, Music Administration, he/she will assist in the management of day-to-day operations of the JALC Print Music Library, be responsible for post-event digital music library edits, and facilitate print publishing projects. This role will also supervise the work of a roster of part-time library assistants and interns. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and have the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.

Administrative Assistant to the Music Director (The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra – Cincinnati, OH)

This is a part-time, salaried position, provides administrative and clerical support to the Music Director. The Administrative Assistant will ensure the Music Director has an organizational presence even when he/she is out of town, and will bolster the effectiveness, impact and focus of his/her work while present in Cincinnati. This position will provide additional departmental support for artist-related matters.

Global Marketing Manager, Amazon Music (Amazon – Seattle, WA)

In this role, you will be the Global Promotions Marketing Manager, managing a multi-million dollar budget. You will work cross-functionally with Echo & Fire Tablet devices teams, Prime team, global markets and others to dive growth of Amazon Music Unlimited. This role is perfect for a skilled Marketing Manager who enjoys working with partners and global stakeholders to define campaigns across the customer journey. This person works closely with cross-category partners as well as other internal business stakeholders to create new programs, manage campaign workflow, develop creative assets and work closely with Brand and Engagement teams to ensure success.

Music Studio Manager (Sessions Music – Houston, TX)

Growing modern music education company looking for a studio manager to run and build a studio location. Ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years of retail or general management experience and music background or passion for music. College degree preferred.

Coordinator, Warner Music Artist Services (Warner Music Group – New York, NY)

Warner Music Artist Services is a global team with a simple ethos: put the artists first. Our team is made up of engineers and marketers, graphic designers and salespeople. We are creative and detail-obsessed. Above all, we are music fans – unabashed, enthusiastic music fans. We are passionate champions of our artists, and we work tirelessly to deliver for them every album cycle, every tour, every day.

Electronic Music Editor, Apple Music (Apple – Culver City, CA)

Apple’s fast-growing global Apple Music business seeks a creatively-minded programmer to join its global Editorial team. The successful applicant will work with company leadership to ensure that overall editorial objectives and initiatives are fulfilled. The candidate must have a deep passion for music, is driven and ambitious, highly organized and detail-oriented. This person helps provide the editorial and curatorial voice and vision of iTunes and Apple Music to ensure that our content meets the needs of our audience and our business.

Music Production Manager (Energy BBDO – Chicago, IL)

The Music Production Manager is responsible for the day to day oversight and execution of music production, procurement and publishing royalty collection.

Music Publishing Associate, Inbound Sales (Songtrust – NYC)

We are seeking a Music Publishing Associate to join our Inbound Sales team to qualify, hand-off and convert leads within our sales funnel through basic outreach (email, SMS, social media, calls & webinars) and online research. You will be responsible for achieving certain metrics each month around number of leads engaged, handed-off to Specialist and converted onto the platform. You will also lead a set number of virtual webinars each month to educate leads on music publishing and basic Songtrust operations. 

Strategy Planning & Operations, Entertainment (Facebook – Los Angeles, CA)

The Entertainment Media Partnerships Strategy Planning & Operations team is looking for a person who balances core data-driven problem-solving skills with superior relationship management experience. The Entertainment Media Partnerships team helps the world’s top content producers (musicians, film studios, actors, online media companies, streaming platforms, authors, and many more) maximize the value they derive from Facebook’s family of apps. The Entertainment SP&O team works with Entertainment leadership to assess, measure, and drive decisions to maximize Entertainment Media Partnerships’ success. We are looking for a team member who is an expert in business strategy and operations; who uses an analytical, strategic, pragmatic, and results-oriented approach to drive the business forward; and who can build objective and trusted relationships with the Entertainment Partnerships team. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical and consultative mindset, experience in working with stakeholders from business and technical backgrounds, the ability to thrive in a dynamic, cross-functional, fast-paced environment and a passion for operational rigor and problem-solving. 

Analyst, International Production (UMG – Los Angeles, CA)

UMG is currently seeking to fill the role of Analyst, International Production.

Content Operations Coordinator (20th Century Fox – Los Angeles, CA)

We are looking for a Content Operations Coordinator to support our Senior Vice President of Marketing and Special Operations and keep the team in its workflow groove. You will be collecting and distributing various information and resources that pertains to the Special Ops department and diving deep into all aspects of content planning, production, and post production, including, but not limited to, working with our Business Standards & Practices and Legal teams to get information on clearances for show clip usage, talent, and music licensing. You will also be the back bone and point of contact for administrative support, including scheduling and coordinating meetings and department functions.

Live Entertainment, Supervision (Cedar Point – Sandusky, OH)

Live Entertainment Supervisors are involved with the coordination, production & rehearsal process, and daily operation of all live shows, events, and entertainment at Cedar Point.

Executive Director, Performing Arts (West Kowloon – Los Angeles, CA)

Leading all aspects of the Performing Arts Division to ensure West Kowloon Cultural District Authority delivers its objective to build a thriving, world-class art and cultural district.

Manager, Artist Development (WMG – Los Angeles, CA)

Oversee all tour and logistics management for an individual artist roster of 20+ artists.

Inside Sales, International Music Tours (Worldstrides – Remote)

International Concert Tours Specialist – Inside/Outside Sales (ICTS) is responsible for generating new accounts to participate in WorldStrides OnStage international performing tours. These accounts are developed primarily via telephone, with some in-person meetings. Our primary customers are high school, college/university and community ensemble directors of bands, orchestras and choirs. In addition to establishing new accounts, the ICTS is responsible for the growth and rebooking of their existing accounts. During peak selling seasons, the ICTS will travel and lead tour informational meetings for their traveling ensembles. WorldStrides OnStage provides our ICTSs a proven selling system which ensures success while continually improving professional skills.

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Editorials Industry News News

Tik Tok, Blanco Brown, and the future of discovery

After propelling Lil Nas X into the spotlight earlier this year, Tik Tok may be on the verge of its second star-making moment with Blanco Brown.

Have you heard of #GitUpChallenge? If not, there is a good chance you are not a Tik Tok user. Based on “The Git Up” by fast-rising artist Blanco Brown, the #GitUpChallenge tasks music fans to create a dance video using the song as their soundtrack. Tik Tok user HarveyBass is largely responsible for creating the challenge, so we might as well take a look at his video first:

Tik Tok’s ability to influence pop culture at large was proven earlier this year when Lil Nas X took the Billboard charts by storm with “Old Town Road.” The song, which has since gone on to be the number one song in the country for ten consecutive weeks, initially rose to popular because Tik Tok users could not stop making videos using the material. The song grew so popular, in fact, that radio station programmers across the country began ripping the song from YouTube to place it in rotation.

“The Git Up,” much like “Old Town Road,” was largely overlooked upon its initial release. The song was quietly dropped on streaming services May 3, which was preceded by a Soundcloud debut in late April. The song did not take off until it gained the attention of Tik Tok users, and it did not begin to find viral success until the HarveyBass clip above started to spread outside the video-sharing platform in early June.

Since that happened, “The Git Up” has been gaining traction online, as well as at terrestrial. The song has accrued more than 2.7 million streams on Spotify to date, which makes it nearly 20x more popular than Brown’s second most-streamed track on the service. There’s another 2.3 million plays on YouTube, as well as millions more on other streaming platforms.

As of this week, “The Git Up” has also entered the Billboard charts, coming in at No. 16 on Country Digital Song Sales (4,000 downloads sold) and No. 38 on Hot Country Songs.

Call it the “Old Town Road” effect, but Brown’s decision to combine the popularity of country and hip-hop while also delivering what is essentially a new “Cha Cha Slide” may have created a monster that will be inescapable at weddings, proms, etc. for years to come.

A glance at Google trends reinforces the song’s growing popularity:

A glance at trends on YouTube does as well:

The only question that remains is where the track and Blanco Brown go from here? Unlike “Old Town Road,” Brown’s “Git Up” is a song made to make people dance. It’s not intended for casual listening (despite being incredibly catchy). Longevity will depend mainly on radio play and the embrace of club DJs around the world.

Regardless, for now, it seems Tik Tok is about to have another moment in the spotlight. Brown’s presence on the charts solidifies the platform’s ability to shift and shape pop culture, so now one must wonder who will be next. Will another country-rap track work? Will tastes evolve to give another emerging genre a chance? Only time will tell.

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Industry News News

Spotify under investigation for violations of GDPR compliance

The streaming giant is one of numerous entertainment companies that have been warned about the use and availability of their data in the wake of GDPR.

The Swedish Data Inspection Authority said it is investigating Spotify’s handling of customer requests under GDPR to find out what information the music streaming company hold about them. The streaming company has until July 1 to respond.  The authority claims it has received several complaints regarding potential shortcomings in Spotify’s record keeping, such as incomplete and unclear records.

The investigation will focus on three areas of Spotify’s GDPR compliance, including what information is provided to customers who request data, which information is copied by Spotify, and how the information is handled after collection.

GDPR troubles are nothing new to Spotify. In January, the company received complaints from a privacy organization in Austria named None Of Your Business. The group made similar complaints against other tech companies, including Amazon Prime, Apple Music, DAZN, Netflix, Soundcloud, and YouTube.

At its core, GDPR is a new set of rules designed to give EU citizens more control over their personal data. It aims to simplify the regulatory environment for business, so both citizens and companies in the European Union can fully benefit from the digital economy. The guidelines aspire to create a world where consumers know what information they are sharing with websites and corporations before it is shared, and it requires that companies willingly provide that data to consumers upon request.

None Of Your Business created the following chart to reveal how unprepared major tech companies are complying with the new EU law.

Of all the companies studied by None Of Your Business, Filmmit showed the best GDPR compliance.

Twitter user Peter Steinberger recently created a thread on his timeline detailing the experience of trying to retrieve information GDPR requires Spotify to provide. As Steinberger dug deeper, he found Spotify knows more about consumers than they may realize, including the type of headphones they use to stream music on the service.

GDPR went into effect in May 2018, but many companies have been slow to adapt. Spotify is the latest tech giant to be investigated, but unless more platforms take action soon similar headlines involving the company’s competition will emerge in the near future.

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Haulix News Podcasts

Inside Music Podcast #164: Prince Daddy & The Hyena

Kory Gregory of Prince Daddy & The Hyena stops by Inside Music to discuss his band’s latest record, Cosmic Thrill Seekers.

The vast majority of the music business relies on radio and promoted posts on social media to break talent, at least at first. Word of mouth is always a factor in longterm success, of course, but those with money to burn usually choose to do so through promotion. The exception is punk and alternative communities, which rely almost entirely on word of mouth, and there has been no finer example of a success story in recent years than that of Prince Daddy & The Hyena.

Prince Daddy & The Hyena hail from the middle of New York with a sound that nearly impossible to describe. The group, which is lead by Kory Gregory, fuses elements of punk and indie music to create a sound that challenges genre norms with elaborate songwriting and constant sonic risk taking. The resulting creation has been winning over audiences in clubs and basements for years, so much so, that the band’s fast-rising profile is largely attributed to the outpouring of support fans offer throughout social media and the music world. To say the group’s catalog has started a movement may be an overstatement, but if so, it’s only a slight one. Prince Daddy & The Hyena have tapped into that special place where fans see musicians as friends, and that kind of relationship can produce unstoppable results.

This month, Prince Daddy & The Hyena will release a new album entitled Cosmic Thrill Seekers through Counter Intuitive Records. The album has been in the works for years, and Gregory speaks of it as being the best thing he has been able to create as of yet in life. The material charts Gregory’s journey with mental health, but it also mirrors the story found in The Wizard of Oz. It’s a whirlwind release that he describes better than anyone else, which is (part of) the reason why we asked him to appear on our podcast this week. You can stream the latest episode of Inside Music below or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/164-p-daddy

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Industry News News

Music accounts for 5% of all YouTube content — and 20% of all views

Despite being one of the lowest paying streaming platforms, artists worldwide can see their careers change overnight through YouTube.

The study by Pex showcases categories on YouTube that are dominant drivers of growth and engagement for the platform. The study examined the performance of publicly available videos on YouTube for a period ending December 31, 2018. The results reveal that YouTube has over 5.2 billion videos, 1 billion hours of content, and 29 trillion views.

To put that figure into perspective, it would take 41,666,667 days of nonstop watching to view everything that was available on YouTube when the study was completed. Even more content is available now.

According to the data Pex shared, YouTube saw around 621 hours of content uploaded every minute in 2018, or roughly 10 hours of content every second. That’s even higher than the 500-hour estimate shared by CEO Susan Wojcicki earlier this year. Unsurprisingly, the length of these videos has increased each year since the restriction lifted.

Youtube videos are getting longer, and ads are largely to blame.

The reason for the change of the average video length is likely the result of YouTube’s advertising deal with creators. YouTube shares a portion of the revenue for ads shown during the video with that clip’s creator, but the service limits how many ads can be displayed based on the length of the accompanying video. Longer videos, therefore, equal more ads, which means more money for creators (even if their viewers are frustrated).

Gaming is the fastest-growing category on YouTube thanks to the popularity of services such as Twitch, but music still has the lead.

The average length of a music video on YouTube is 6.8 minutes, with an average of 2,411 views per minute and 16,397 views per video. That’s compared to the gaming category’s average of 24.7 minutes per video with only 121 views per minute and 2,987 views per video.

Music is the category with the shortest videos, but it generates the most views per average video. The music category received 20% of all total views on YouTube last year — but makes up only 5% of YouTube’s content. Music and Entertainment are the two YouTube categories that deliver the highest returns, but YouTube doesn’t want you to know that because both entertainment and music videos often require the company to pay royalties. YouTube does not want to share revenue anymore than it needs to, which is likely why the streaming giant has been investing heavily into original content.

The less YouTube needs major labels and movie studios, the better, at least for YouTube.

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Industry News News

Music piracy rose 13% in the US last year, and stream-ripping is to blame.

Despite reports claiming otherwise, a new study from a marketing research company reveals that the war on piracy far from over.

The music industry breathed a sigh of release last September after global piracy platform MUSO released a report claiming that piracy was on the decline. The streaming age, it seemed, had finally converted thieves into consumers.

This week, however, a new study published by marketing research company MusicWatch claims otherwise.

In a blog post focused mainly on stream-ripping services, MusicWatch claimed to have tracked 17 million users downloading their music on websites from video platforms, including YouTube.  That’s up from 15 million from the same period two years ago.

The top 30% of stream-rippers also downloaded an average of 112 music files, the equivalent of 10 full music albums, over the course of the year.

The company wrote:

That may not seem a lot in a world where streaming services hold millions of songs, but ask any rights holder how they feel about someone copying their works.  For a more vivid picture, imagine someone shoplifting 11 albums from Walmart or Best Buy!

MusicWatch Blog, 2019

The question of why the spike occurred remains unanswered, but MusicWatch points the blame at search platforms such as Google for not taking the matter seriously. The company believes it is easy for anyone to find a stream-ripping service in a matter of clicks, and that files ripped from sites such as YouTube are seen as a replacement to mainstream music streaming services such as Spotify.

A quick search by the Haulix team proved their theory to be true:

Google and other search platforms are under fire for not doing more to prevent access to stream-ripping services like the ones seen here.

Additionally, the study from MusicWatch revealed that stream-rippers are also more likely to participate in other forms of unsanctioned music sharing.  These include downloading songs from unlicensed music apps and sharing songs on digital lockers or file-sharing sites.

They’re also more likely to go to the movies, play video games, and subscribe to video streaming platforms, like Hulu and Netflix.  That, says the marketing research company, amplifies the risk of piracy in each category. If they’ll steal music they don’t own, why wouldn’t they do the same for films, tv, or video games?

Of the people surveyed by MusicWatch, 68% of stream-rippers in the U.S. are aged between 13 and 34.  A slightly higher number of males pirate when compared to women, 56% to 44%.  The average household income of stream-rippers is between $75,000 and $199,000.  Only 34% are full or part-time students, which strongly suggests that professionals are also downloading music for free.

As for solutions to these problems, MusicWatch concludes their study by reiterating the need to fight back against stream-ripping platforms.

If [stream-rippers] pirate music, they’ll likely also take movies, TV shows, and other forms of intellectual property.  Discouraging stream-ripping isn’t just good for music; it’s good for the entire entertainment ecosystem.”

There have been several lawsuits filed against stream-ripping websites in recent years, while other stream-ripping platforms have received cease and desist letters. Until action is taken to block or otherwise remove stream-ripping sites as a whole, the entertainment industry will have to wage war against the services on a site-by-site basis.

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