#45: Music, Rights, Relationships & Technology
Music rights can be confusing for many artists, creators and many businesses. But does it have to be that way?
It was wonderful to catch up with Vickie Nauman, Founder & CEO of CrossBorderWorks Consulting & Advising, and Åsa Carild, musician and expert on digital music, with previous experience as VP Head of Platform at Utopia Music and CEO at Polaris, talk about:
- The rights that are the most meaningful for music creators
- New technology and the way it can help make things more equitable
- Web3, NFTs and the metaverse
- Tips for musicians to manage their rights
- Tips for companies that use music for their business
- and much more!
Audio Talks
A podcast on all things audio presented to you by HARMAN and our family of audio brands including JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG. Host Oisin Lunny, music journalist and audio enthusiast, will interview expert guests, legends of the music industry, and audio scientists to discuss the power of music and audio in all its facets.
About CrossBorderWorks
CrossBorderWorks is the Los Angeles based consultancy and advisory firm of Vickie Nauman, who manages a portfolio of forward-thinking digital media and technology companies.
Working with experienced pros in music will help save you time, money and headaches.
CrossBorderWorks can spin up initiatives, license music, act as project or company advisor, guide strategy, and yes, fix problems. Core interests are innovative uses of music, emerging tech, and creating new business models. It is an exciting time for music with no end in sight for music opportunities in Web3.
Music Rights & Licensing: New technologies and products require viable models, a licensing framework married to functionality, and deal execution. CrossBorderWorks starts with your vision and goals, and develops the following:
- ARC – Artist-Centric Models – Artists, labels, platforms want to make a specific artist catalog available digitally, which requires master, publishing and name/likeness. Must-have for Web3 and emerging artist-led initiatives.
- Music in Games/Video Models – One-off sync or bulk sync with rights that are inclusive of master and publishing.
- Full Catalog Models – Blanket, broad catalog deals either directly licensed or via statutory licenses.
- Relationships – Music is a relationship-driven industry with both licensors and service providers, often needing partner translation.
- International Expansion – Expanding US rights abroad, or entering the US, each territory has its own challenges.
- Rights Tech Stack – Systems and processes to operationalize rights, reporting, messy metadata, and settlement.
Launching Music Products: Getting a set of music rights is the start, not the finish line. Many companies struggle with the unexpected complexity of building music products so CrossBorderWorks offers experienced guidance, and experts are on hand:
- Music Software Products – Best practices for UI/UX, guidance on feature development and product-market fit with recognized leader Joni Hoadley (Sonos, Spinner, Musicmatch)
- Performance-Focused — Live streaming and artist performance is evolving and needs an informed and connected approach with live music veteran Stuart Berk (production, tour/artist manager)
- Music and Audio Specialists – Do you know what music do you want? Help is available on music curation, audio production, and podcasting with Amanda Wilde (KUOW, KEXP, curator), Will Boston (songwriter, publisher, curator) and Mikel Ellcessor (WNYC, Radiolab, podcasting)
- Legal: All music licensing requires experienced legal counsel. CrossBorderWorks works efficiently with your counsel, or can bring trusted, highly regarded, specialized outside counsel to you with Tom Frederikse (Partner, Clintons), Monika Tashman (Partner, Manatt), Jeff Liebenson (Principal Liebenson Law), Elizabeth Moody (Partner, Granderson Des Rochers)
About HARMAN
HARMAN engineers solutions to enhance life’s experiences, simplifying the way people interact with technology and connecting them to the world around them.
HARMAN designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and connected services. Our talented workforce and innovation strength create value for our stakeholders by enabling rich experiences through the connected car, connected enterprise and connected lifestyle.
Audiophiles from every generation call on HARMAN to deliver the best in sound in the studio and on the stage, at home and on the go. HARMAN’s portfolio of legendary audio brands includes AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®and Revel®. More than 50 million vehicles on the road today enjoy an enhanced driving experience, thanks to HARMAN audio and infotainment. We extend the same spirit of innovation to the world’s leading performance and sporting venues, providing everyone with the best seats in the house.
Seizing the rich opportunities of today’s global markets requires more than legendary sound. HARMAN has reshaped our organization and cost structure to make the Company more agile in a changing world and addressed the rising importance of highly integrated, software-rich products and services. Most importantly, our track record of innovation, which has distinguished HARMAN and its premium audio and infotainment brands for more than 60 years, continues.
Audio Talks is presented by Harman.
To view all of the Audio Talks podcast episodes click here.
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