Trapital

The list of brands that Penske Media Corporation owns or has invested in is long: Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, Music Business Worldwide, Deadline, and dozens more.What's Penske's long game? Are these companies better off? Where would these companies be without Penske? Which companies are most likely next?To break it all down, I'm joined by Bill Werde, former Billboard editorial director, author of Full Rate No Cap, and the Director of Bandier Program of Recording and Entertainment and Syracuse’s Newhouse School.This episode is brought to you by 4se New York, where sports and entertainment come alive.Make sure you check out our Chartmetric stat of the episode.

BrandMan Sean, hip-hop marketing expert, discusses the evolution of rap beef in the streaming era. Topics include social media impact, monetization of drama, generational shifts in beef strategies, and the changing dynamics of the music industry. The discussion also touches on popular artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, as well as the influence of historical beefs on the modern era of streaming.

Anna Nicolaou, a Financial Times journalist specializing in music rights, dives into KKR's intriguing role in the music investment landscape. They discuss KKR's strategic moves, including their $500 million debt deal with HarbourView and the implications of rising interest rates on music valuations. Nicolaou highlights shifts in the market with new players emerging, contrasting contemporary catalogs like The Weeknd's with older assets. The conversation also forecasts future trends in music licensing, especially with AI's impact shaping new opportunities for artists.

On April 11, Taylor Swift’s songs reappeared on TikTok despite the platform's ongoing dispute with her record label, Universal Music Group. This move was made in advance of the release of Taylor’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.On this episode of Trapital, Tatiana Cirisano and I discuss why Swift and UMG don’t see eye-to-eye, competing incentives, who’s in charge at UMG, and more.00:00 Why we’re not surprised Taylor Swift made this move07:52 Why Swift and UMG have competing incentives13:37 What it means for UMG and TikTok moving forward24:27 Who’s the most powerful person in the music industry?This episode is brought to you by EVEN, where you buy the art from the artist. Learn more at https://get.even.biz/trapitalMake sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week!Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.

Zack O'Malley Greenburg discusses Diddy's business ventures amid controversies. Topics include partnerships, brand speculation, Revolt's transition, business challenges, music catalog, and implications of celebrity controversies on brand partnerships.

Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research discusses the challenges faced by music festivals post-pandemic, including the struggles of big festivals like Coachella. They explore the evolution of festivals into cultural phenomena, changing ticket buying trends, adapting to Gen Z attendees, and the profitability for top artists. The conversation also touches on Ariana Grande's Coachella performance and upcoming music festivals.

Music industry expert Justin Hunte and the host discuss major record labels' brand identity shift, including Def Jam's legacy, media consolidation impact, Hybe's Weverse maximizing reach, revenue-boosting strategies, industry trends, and the importance of brand identity in a changing landscape.

This podcast delves into the UMG vs TikTok dispute, kids' music popularity, and Beyoncé's album 'Act II: Cowboy Carter' linked to Verizon. Get insights on music industry conflicts, children's entertainment impact, and unique marketing strategies.

Discover the rise of concert films in the music industry with hits like Taylor Swift and Beyonce; explore the economics and transmedia storytelling behind successful films. Get insights on potential future successes in concert films and the strategic approaches taken by artists. Dive into the financial dynamics of concert films and streaming revenue, predicting a bright future for artists in this space.

Explore the impact of generative AI on music and the industry's future. Discuss the challenges and opportunities of AI music creation. Dive into the rise of generative music and its potential. Contemplate whether AI music will cause a Napster moment. Listen to an audio essay on the topic. Learn about the Chartmetric stat of the week.