UNLIMITED SUPPLY with Digital Music News Bundlegate goes East, a Coke-fueled label, and Merge...merges.
Jun 13, 2025
Dive into the groundbreaking collaboration between Coca-Cola and Universal Music to launch Real Thing Records, the first beverage-sponsored label. Explore the potential rise of OxyClean Records, and discover how indie labels are navigating recent industry shifts. Industry voices reflect on their experiences, emphasizing community and the evolving landscape. Tune in for insights on merging companies and how music connects with culture in unexpected ways.
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Coca-Cola Launches Music Label
- Universal Music and Coca-Cola launched Real Thing Records, the world's first Coke-fueled record label.
- This venture connects two longtime adjacent industries with a novel brand-sponsored approach.
Apple Critiques Spotify Bundling
- Apple Music refuses to offer a free tier and criticizes Spotify's bundling strategy.
- Bundling by Spotify caused a 40% revenue drop, losing $230 million in three months for music publishers.
Publishing Revenue Growth
- Despite Bundlegate's impact, U.S. music publishing revenue grew faster than master revenue year over year.
- Publishing rose 13.4% to $7 billion, signaling sustained investment interest in catalogs.