Music Week's round-up of essential music biz stories you might have missed…
BBC Sounds partners with Bluedot festival
Bluedot, the festival at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, is to partner with BBC Sounds as its broadcasting partner. As part of the listening service's deal, BBC Radio 6 will broadcast live from the festival, which takes place from July 18-21, for the first time, with both Shaun Keaveny and Radcliffe & Maconie hosting shows.
Association Of European Radio appoints new secretary general
The Association Of European Radio has named Radiocentre’s director of external affairs Matt Payton as its new secretary general.
“It’s a real honour to take on this role, particularly at a time of such enormous change for radio across Europe," Payton said of the non-executive role, which will run alongside his Radiocentre job. "Whatever happens with Brexit in future, it is going to remain crucial to be able to work together with our colleagues in other countries, as we continue to face many similar challenges and opportunities. I’m especially grateful to Julia, who has been instrumental in helping to build the reputation and effectiveness of AER to this point.”
Meanwhile, Radiocentre itself has promoted George Butler to head of marketing.
CISAC director general calls on SGAE to reform
CISAC director general Gadi Oron has called on Spain's main collecting society Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE) to "quickly reform" after it was voted out of the international confederation representing authors’ societies' general assembly last week. Pointing to "unfair distribution practices, discriminatory treatment of rights-holders, conflicts of interest and governance weaknesses" in a blog, Oron explained: "These rules, which SGAE violated for several years, are not there to punish societies. They are there to support them and to make the global system work, so that a Spanish songwriter can be fairly paid for music played not only in Spain but also in other countries, and that foreign creators get paid when their works are used in Spain."
With SGAE's assembly set to meet on June 24, he called on the Spanish society to put its house in order. "CISAC’s greatest wish today is for SGAE to quickly reform, to survive and to stay within the CISAC community," he concluded. "Hundreds of societies from other countries share that view too. They all depend on their reciprocal deals with SGAE to ensure payment of foreign creators in Spain and enable Spanish authors to be paid in foreign markets. The collective management system is only as strong as its weakest link."
Hipgnosis 'Panic!' deal for Sam Hollander
Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and its Investment Adviser, The Family (Music) Limited has acquired the catalogue of American songwriter and producer Sam Hollander. “Sam Hollander has a hot hand. His numerous collaborations with Panic! At The Disco have been ruling the airwaves for almost five years now and setting new standards of success," said founder Merck Mercuriadis or the deal.
FUGA ink deal with Planet Records
FUGA Italy has signed a deal with Planet Records. The deal between the technology and services company and the independent label and distribution company covers the latter's core roster of Latin American and European acts.
“We are really happy to be partnering with Planet Records and it is another exciting step for FUGA Italy as we continue to establish our presence," said managing director Lorenzo Grignani. "We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver advanced and innovative solutions for rights-holders which help them successfully nurture their independence and thrive in the streaming era.”
By Paul Stokes
