Universal Music Group, which has taken a leadership role in industry relations with AI businesses and creators, has announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer what it describes as responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement leveraging the platform’s AI infrastructure and UMG’s massive music catalog.
According to the announcement, the two companies will undertake collaborative research and development to promote shared objectives of advancing human music creation and rightsholder compensation; and will utlize AI to “elevate discovery, engagement and consumption beyond current constructs of search and personalization. Further, the companies will pursue new approaches to leverage AI in order to protect artists’ work and ensure proper attribution of music-based content.”
As part of this effort, the two companies are extending the NVIDIA Music Flamingo model to enhance fans’ music discovery by processing full-length tracks to capture harmony, structure, timbre, lyrics, and cultural context. Goals also include to enhance fan engagement and encourage artists to use creation tools.
UMG chairman-CEO Lucian Grainge says, “We’re excited to establish this ground-breaking strategic relationship which unites the world’s leading technology company with the world’s leading music company in a shared mission to harness revolutionary AI technology to dramatically advance the interests of the creative community and the role of music in global culture. We eagerly embrace the opportunities that AI presents, and the fact that NVIDIA is choosing to take a leadership position in the tech industry in their commitment to responsible AI principles is critically important.”
“We’re entering an era where a music catalog can be explored like an intelligent universe — conversational, contextual, and genuinely interactive”, said Richard Kerris, NVIDIA VP/GM of Media. “By extending NVIDIA’s Music Flamingo with UMG’s unmatched catalog and creative ecosystem, we’re going to change how fans discover, understand, and engage with music on a global scale. And we’ll do it the right way: responsibly, with safeguards that protect artists’ work, ensure attribution, and respect copyright.”
+ Independent publishing and neighboring rights powerhouse Peermusic has promoted Paul Smelt to chief operating officer, CEO Mary Megan Peer announced. In the newly created role, Smelt will oversee the administration of the company’s publishing (copyright and royalties) and neighboring rights (repertoire and distributions) for from its Amsterdam office and will report to the CEO.
Smelt was previously COO of Peermusic Neighbouring Rights and joined the company when it acquired Global Master Rights, the neighboring rights company he co-founded with Erik Veerman (who is now managing director of Peermusic Neighboring Rights). Earlier, he co-founded Global Master Rights in 2014 and worked at neighboring rights organization SENA.
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
Mary Megan Peer commented: “Paul has been crucial in the integration of the three neighboring rights companies we acquired in 2020 as their COO. We look forward to his continued success as he takes on this role in supporting our publishing operations as well.”
+ ASCAP has promoted Hayley Dukes to senior VP of licensing. In her new role she will continue to report to the company’s head of licensing Stephanie Ruyle. She joined ASCAP in 2020 after roles at AMC Networks and HBO.
“Hayley’s deep knowledge of audiovisual industry operations has made her a key player on the ASCAP licensing team. I’m looking forward to working further with her as we continue to respond to licensee needs in the evolving media landscape while driving fair compensation for ASCAP members,” said Ruyle.
+ Landr, the Montreal-based AI-powered music production company, has announced the acquisition of Reason Studios, the Stockholm-based company behind the iconic Reason Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and Reason Rack. The two companies will also establish an Artist Council made up of producers and longtime users of Reason. According to the announcement, Reason Studios will continue to operate as its own brand.
“Our vision is to make Reason and the Reason Rack indispensable tools for every producer, regardless of what DAW they use,” said Landr CEO Pascal Pilon. “Wherever music is made, Reason will be there, with its amazing instruments, effects, and iconic analog workflow–enhanced by LANDR’s value-rich creator tools.”
+ Big Machine Label Group has promoted Jay Cruze to national director of radio strategy, representing Big Machine Records, the Valory Music Co., and Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. He joined Big Machine in 2023 from iHeartMedia, following promotion roles at Average Joes Entertainment and Bigger Picture Group.
“Jay was an exceptional addition to Big Machine Records three years ago and his impact has only continued to expand across the entire label group,” says EVP/GM Kris Lamb. “His deep understanding of national programming, paired with the trust and relationships he has built at radio, has become a powerful asset for our company.”
+ Digital ticket delivery service True Tickets has promoted Ken Lesnik to chief commercial officer and Kirk Mortensen to chief product officer. Since he joined the company in 2019 Lesnik has helped to forge relationships with more than 100 leading arts and cultural organizations across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. This includes institutions such as the Royal Ballet and Opera in London, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, New York City Ballet, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Mortensen had served as head of product since 2022.
“Ken and Kirk have helped lead this company through some of its most pivotal chapters,” said Matt Zarracina, CEO of True Tickets. “Their contributions have shaped so much of who we are as a company, and their new roles reflect the leadership they’ve already been demonstrating day in and day out.”
From Variety US