Tag Archives: Music

Bravado partners with Alibaba to bring its artists’ merchandise to Chinese consumers

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Bravado, the merchandising and brand management arm of Universal Music Group, has partnered with Alibaba Group today to launch a new means of bringing music artists’ merchandise and collaborations to Chinese consumers.

Under the new partnership, Bravado will launch its own store on Tmall Global, the largest cross-border business-to-consumer marketplace in China, where it will showcase merchandise from a portfolio of international recording artists, ranging from Tupac and Guns N’ Roses, to The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, and Taylor Swift.

Swift will be the store’s first featured artist, while other collections and collaborations will be added each month.

The store launch will be the first time that merchandise from Taylor Swift’s most recent album, folklore, will be available in China. In addition, Swift will debut her newest collection exclusively on Tmall Global during Alibaba’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, giving Chinese shoppers access to it for two full weeks before anyone else in the world.

The collections will also be offered through Alibaba Group’s Hey Box, one of the most powerful marketing channels for new products.

In addition to this, the store will showcase a different featured artist each month, offering a specially curated range of products inspired and influenced by each featured act. These will include new and exclusive products and seasonal ranges, to coincide with album releases, tours, classic catalogues and other product innovations.

Universal Music China together with Bravado will work closely within Tmall Global and Alibaba’s ecosystem to help expand fan reach and interactivity through its technology and entertainment channels.

In recent years, Bravado has successfully leveraged merchandise as a platform to elevate artists’ individual brands and helped nurture new relationships with fans. The company’s partnership with Tmall Global will enable artists to share their full lifestyle experience, including collaborations into fashion, art and design alongside music projects.

“We’re extremely pleased to partner with Bravado to give fans in China the opportunity to connect with these remarkable musicians,” said Emma Lee, head of fashion for Tmall Global and Kaola, Alibaba Group.

“Through this partnership, Chinese consumers will be able to access exclusive merchandise from their favorite international recording artists that we know they will enjoy.”

John Habbouch, GM and CFO, Bravado, added: “At Bravado our mission is to amplify artist initiatives and create moments and experiences beyond music. This partnership with Tmall Global, in conjunction with our colleagues at Universal Music China, will provide both international and domestic artists with opportunities to engage more deeply with fans in China, and to continue to reach new consumers and audiences around the world.”

Waxwork Records brings Universal Monsters portfolio to the toys and collectables market

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The US underground and pop culture company Waxwork Records has made its first foray into the toys and collectables market with the launch of Spinatures that kicks off with a partnership with Universal and the studio’s classic horror portfolio.

Aimed at the adult collector market, the new Spinatures launch is a collection of highly detailed turntable-spinner mini busts featuring iconic characters from pop culture, horror movies, and more. Each Spinature is fitted with a hole in their base to easily attach to the spindle of a turntable. They will then spin along with their collector’s favourite vinyl records.

Waxwork Records has grown a cult following of fans from its base on New Orleans, where the record label has made a name for itself specialising in the release of classic cinema, horror, cult, and sci-fi film scores in high quality LP packages. Waxwork revisits the original source master tapes for each release, often times original masters that were thought to have been lost or destroyed for decades.

As such, the firm is a specialist in the cult and underground collectors’ scene, one that it is now tapping into further with the launch of Spinature. The toy and collectables venture will work closely with various studios, rights holders, and family estates to bring officially approved new releases to the line-up.

Spinature is kicking off its venture with its Universal Horror Line developed in partnership with Universal Studios and its Universal Monster portfolio. The first in the line is Frankenstein, designed and produced by Waxwork and featuring the iconic monster from the landmark 1931 horror film. The partnership brings the likeness of actor Boris Karloff to the collectables scene.

More official Universal Monster Spinatures are scheduled to launch this autumn and throughout the Christmas season, including The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, and The Invisible Man.

Check out the trailer video below:

Motorhead and Judas Priest slow it down for Rock N’ Roll Colouring books

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Taking a break from the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, Motorhead and Judas Priest are slowing things down a little, as the iconic rock bands move into the serenity of the adult colouring book trend.

In a new deal brokered by Global Merchandising Services, the two groups have partnered with Rock N’ Roll Colouring to launch the first, officially endorsed colouring books, featuring iconic artwork from classic albums.

‘Each book allows you to raise the horns in celebration of two of Heavy Metal’s most legendary and important bands, letting your imagination run riot as you create your own personalised versions of your favourite designs,’ read a statement from the firm.

Each book in the series contains renderings of each image, with detailed outlines for fans to unleash their artistic skills using pens, pencils, or paint.

Rock N’ Roll fans was devised and created by two life long rock and heavy metal devotees and colouring book fans.

‘Every effort has gone into making sure these books do justice to the legacy of both Motorhead and Judas Priest, and gives fans another reason to enjoy some of the most beautiful and creative artwork from these bands,’ said the company.

‘Not only that, colouring has proven significant mental health benefits including mindfulness, relaxation, and increased focus, and can be enjoyed by any age group. These two books provide hours of creative and restful activity that combines a love of the music with a love of the art,’ it added.

Both books will be published on November 2 this year and will be available for worldwide shipping.

Motorhead and Judas Priest slow it down for Rock N’ Roll Colouring books

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Taking a break from the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, Motorhead and Judas Priest are slowing things down a little, as the iconic rock bands move into the serenity of the adult colouring book trend.

In a new deal brokered by Global Merchandising Services, the two groups have partnered with Rock N’ Roll Colouring to launch the first, officially endorsed colouring books, featuring iconic artwork from classic albums.

‘Each book allows you to raise the horns in celebration of two of Heavy Metal’s most legendary and important bands, letting your imagination run riot as you create your own personalised versions of your favourite designs,’ read a statement from the firm.

Each book in the series contains renderings of each image, with detailed outlines for fans to unleash their artistic skills using pens, pencils, or paint.

Rock N’ Roll fans was devised and created by two life long rock and heavy metal devotees and colouring book fans.

‘Every effort has gone into making sure these books do justice to the legacy of both Motorhead and Judas Priest, and gives fans another reason to enjoy some of the most beautiful and creative artwork from these bands,’ said the company.

‘Not only that, colouring has proven significant mental health benefits including mindfulness, relaxation, and increased focus, and can be enjoyed by any age group. These two books provide hours of creative and restful activity that combines a love of the music with a love of the art,’ it added.

Both books will be published on November 2 this year and will be available for worldwide shipping.

Poetic Brands tunes up new Fender apparel range

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The licensed clothing specialist, Poetic Brands has tuned up a new European deal with the musical instrument manufacturer, Fender, to create a raft of new apparel lines for adults. The partnership arrives off the back of a trend for music properties within the consumer products space over the last few years.

The new range is set to launch this autumn/winter and will be led by nightwear, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tracksuits. The new signing expands Poetic Brands’ music portfolio which already includes the likes of AC/DC, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd, Woodstock, and MTV.

Established in 1946, Fender has a long history of revolutionising music and culture across all genres, from rock ‘n’ roll to country and western, jazz, and rhythm and blues. The brand name has become a cultural icon that rolls out Fender guitars, basses, and amps played by music lovers the world over.

Elliott Matthews, executive director of Poetic Brands, said: “Having Fender on board adds a new dimension to our music portfolio, with a global guitar brand to join our range of bands and artists. 

“Fender is a leading brand in the music sector and we are looking forward to leaning on its heritage and ethos to create an innovative on-trend collection. Music brands have been increasing in popularity recently, so we’re sure consumers will love this range.”

US metal band Deftones celebrates 20 years of White Pony album with Belching Beaver IPA

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The American alternative metal band, Deftones has extended its partnership with the Belching Beaver Brewery for another collaborative launch, this time celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band’s third studio album, White Pony.

Available in the US only and for a limited time, the launch – a Double Dry Hopped IPA – arrives with artwork styled upon the platinum-selling 2000 album. According to Belching Beaver, the 7 per cent ABV beer features ‘an upfront flavor of pineapple but finishes with a soft grapefruit note with a mild bitterness and medium mouthfeel.’

The anniversary launch marks the third collaboration between the US metal band and the Belching Beaver Brewery in the past four years. The relationship was kickstarted in 2016 when the two aligned to release the Phantom Bride IPA. The two reunited in 2018, when, after attending a Deftones concert in San Diego, the Belching Beaver team were inspired by the band’s Dia de los Muertos artwork and later went on to develop the Mexican-style lager, Dia de los Deftones.

At the time of the launch, Deftones’ lead vocalist, Chino Moreno, said: “[Belching Beaver’s] commitment to quality and excellence aligns perfectly with our ethos; from our music to our aesthetics, and now to our collaborative beer, we want our fans and consumers to experience only the best. We want it all to reflect the time and attention that was put into it.”

The band unveiled the latest Belching Beaver collaboration, the White Pony IPA, via its social media platforms this week. It arrives as the band prepare for the release of its latest album Ohms this September, and the anticipated release of a White Pony album 20th anniversary remix called Black Stallion.

The Rolling Stones to open world-first flagship store on London’s Carnaby Street

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Rock ‘n’ roll legends, the Rolling Stones are to open a world-first flagship store on London’s Carnaby Street, featuring exclusive new fashion and merchandise under the RS No. 9 Carnaby brand from this September. The new store has been created in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company.

Situated at number 9, Carnaby Street in London’s Soho, the store will launch under the RS No. 9 Carnaby banner and will feature all the hallmarks of the iconic band.

The collections will include exclusive and contemporary collaboration pieces for fans of all ages, including men’s, women’s and children’s fashion and accessories. A special glassware has been developed with Baccarat, engraved with the Rolling Stones tongue. The store will also feature chairs and scarves from The Soloist, and raincoats and hats from the Swedish raincoat brand, Stutterheim.

The Rolling Stones said: “Soho has always encapsulated Rock ’n’ Roll so Carnaby Street was the perfect spot for our own store. We are confident this exciting project that our friends at Bravado have created will be an unrivaled experience for everyone to come to London and enjoy.”

The store will also introduce ‘Stones Red,’ the official colour from Pantone which is established from the first use of the band’s iconic logo. A collection celebrating the Rolling Stones official Pantone colour will also launch with the store.

The band’s continuing album and single releases will be at the heart of the shop’s pulse and Bowers & Wilkins speakers will play tracks from the rock ‘n’ roll band, including the upcoming release of the remastered Goats Head Soup album and Scarlet single.

Jointly curated by the Rolling Stones and Bravado, the shop fit follows the brand colours of red and black and the glass floor features lyrics, while the fitting rooms are adorned with iconic album artwork.

Mat Vlasic, CEO, Bravado said: “With this innovative partnership, the Rolling Stones add yet another cultural touch point to their rich legacy. RS No. 9 Carnaby is the result of years of planning and decades of building one of the world’s most recognized brands.

“It creates a destination where fans can connect and immerse themselves in the music, style and spirit of one of the world’s most iconic and beloved bands.”

For those in the know, the store’s window features a world first soundwave installation – taken from the opening to the 1966 hit track ‘Paint It Black’.

Universal Music Group strikes partnership with Soundtrack Your Brand

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Universal Music Group has signed up another global licensing deal, this time with a pioneering business-to-business cloud-based music streaming service called Soundtrack Your Brand. The new deal will allow the music platform offer tracks from the library of music produced by Universal Music Group’s own artists.

The aim of Soundtrack Your Brand is to deliver flexibility of music-streaming technology to brands and businesses for an ‘improved user and consumer experience.’ The model is based on full song trackability, and the deal will offer UMG’s artists and songwriters compensation and credit when their music is played in business and public environments.

Insight fro Soundtrack Your Brand has shown how playing music that reflects their brand’s value positively impacts a business, from noticeably moving sales to directly affecting customer satisfaction.

Ola Sars, founder and CEO of Soundtrack Your Brand, said: “Together with partners like UMG, we have re-imagined the licensing and business-to-business model. We hold the conviction that music has intrinsic value as an art-form and that creators must be compensated for their contribution to a business.

“Brands can benefit artists in accessing new fans, if their in-store music is matched to their customer and brand values. It is my belief that through Soundtrack, there is substantial value to be unlocked for artists, rights owners and brands.”

In 2019 Soundtrack commissioned Nielsen to carry out the biggest study on background music to date, engaging with 5000 small businesses across two continents and seven countries. Nielsen reports that 21.3 million businesses are using illicit consumer services, leaving potential revenue untapped for the global music industry. With 88 per cent of businesses playing music four or five days a week and 86 per cent prepared to pay for an improved service, the opportunity is substantial.

James Healy, SVP digital strategy and business development, Universal Music Group, said: “In Soundtrack, we have a partner whose technological and strategic re-imagining of an evolving business-to-business model will support us in ensuring creators are valued and fairly compensated.”

Paul Stuart, head of licensing and business affairs, Soundtrack, added: “Whether you run a bar in Brooklyn, a café in Sydney or a multinational brand, customer experience is everything. I couldn’t be happier for our customers who can now access UMG’s incredible artists and their music through their unrivaled catalogue and new frontline releases.”

Bulldog Licensing signed as European licensing agent for Rolling Stone

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Bulldog Licensing has been appointed as the European licensing agent for the iconic music, entertainment, and politics media brand, Rolling Stone. Established for 50 years, Rolling Stone spans print, digital, social and events, and is now looking to leverage its brand, develop products and reach its extensive audience in new ways.

In the US, the Rolling Stone licensing programme is already underway with brand owners, Penske Media Corporation already working with licensees including Anheuser-Busch’s brewery Elysian Brewing for a Rolling Stone Lager, publishing deals with Alfred Publishing, Sellers Publishing, and Meredith, puzzles and games from Spin Master, and location based experiences including the Rock Room on Holland America Line ships and the Rolling Stone Bar & Grill at LAX airport.

Rolling Stone has a monthly footprint of 42 million people across its platforms, who access the brand for its photography, insightful reviews, in-depth interviews and award-winning journalism.

Across social media, Rolling Stone has 5 million Facebook fans, 4.5 million Instagram followers and 6.3 million Twitter followers worldwide. The UK is one of the strongest audiences and provides over 1 million unique users and 6.8 million page views each month to the rollingstone.com website.

Across Continental Europe, the brand enjoys a huge footprint with local editions in Italy, Germany and France reaching millions of people every month.

Discussions are already well underway with licensees across a diverse area of products with announcements expected very soon.

Kevin LaBonge, VP global partnerships and licensing at Penske Media Corporation, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the team at Bulldog Licensing as we expand Rolling Stone into new formats. Rolling Stone is a hugely iconic brand around the globe with millions of touchpoints every month in Europe alone.

“With Bulldog’s rich history of delivering large scale licensing programmes for iconic media properties we are excited to tap into their experience and energy to grow the Rolling Stone brand even further.”

Rob Corney, MD of Bulldog Licensing, added: “Rolling Stone is a true icon in the music, entertainment and politics industry and has a huge, dedicated audience. We’re thrilled to have them on our roster and are looking forward to building a consumer products programme across the diverse core classic and vivid culture graphic collections.”

 

Marshmello and Moe Shalizi remix kids content with new entertainment concept, Mellodees

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Music’s Moe Shalizi and Marshmello have struck up a new partnership to create a ‘cutting edge experience for children’ in the shape of a new entertainment initiative called Mellodees – a musically-driven video property.

Mellodees will feature Dee the musical robot with music produced by Marshmello, and promises to deliver ‘relevant messages and energetic music for the pre-school set and their millennial parents to enjoy.’

“Over the past year, we’ve been diligently working on merging electronic music with educational content for children,” said Moe Shalizi, founder and CEO of The Shalizi Group (TSG), a leading management company. “Positive and inspiring content is critical, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when children’s screen time is at an all-time high.

“Blending our creativity and passion for innovation, The Shalizi Group and Marshmello proudly present Mellodees, which aims to fill a gap in children’s programming.”

Mellodees creates a 3D animated world filled with lovable characters where children and parents can learn, play, dance, and discover together. The star of the show, Dee, is a fun and friendly robot with musical built-in features. With Dee’s imagination, he and his friends go on wild adventures providing families with music, special dance moves and more. By “Following the Beets,” kids can easily read and sing along with the lyrics.

“Mellodees provides a safe place to learn not only educational material, but also age-appropriate holistic topics such as self-care, diversity, physical and mental well-being, community and culture,” said Krista Carnegie, COO of TSG.

Mellodees launches globally with the quintessential “ABC’s Song,” followed by other favourites such as “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Twinkle Twinkle” and “Wheels On The Bus.”

“We are starting with a fun twist on the classic nursery rhymes to introduce Mellodees and the characters,” added Hildi Snodgrass, CFO of TSG. “And then our goal is to expand into original music and storylines later this year, with an eye toward toys and other consumer goods in 2021.”

Mellodees will reveal new music and videos each week on all DSPs, beginning July 10, 2020.  Parents can find more information at Mellodees.com and follow their social media at: