Trapital

There are millions of companies worldwide that use personal music streaming accounts for their businesses’ music. But if those companies had the business-level streaming they should, it would add billions of annual revenue to the industry. So why isn’t this a priority? Well, it’s a priority for today’s guest, Ola Sars. He’s the founder and CEO of Soundtrack, which has been solving this problem for ten years. His business spun out of Spotify to tackle the SMB opportunity. He brought us under the hood to talk about how he convinces business to use his service, his revenue, churn, and plans for the future. 03:49 How Big is the B2B Market 13:04 Soundtrack’s Products and GTM 21:58 B2B vs Consumer Streaming Economics 25:54 How Labels Feel About Soundtrack Trapital Summit: September 10 in LA. Get your tickets here! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Everyone’s talking about “superfans,” but artist management companies have been focused on their top fans for quite some time. We sat down with Jonathan Daniel from Crush Music. They manage Green Day, Miley Cyrus, Sia, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Train, and others. We talk about Coachella, touring strategies, how they use data, business ventures and more. I also ask JD about acquisition offers, why they focus on rock and pop acts, and a whole lot more. We dive into the realities of managing creatives, building trust within teams, and striking the balance between creative freedom and structure. We also introduced a new segment to the show called “Market Moves” with our producer, Eric! 00:28 Coachella highlights 08:12 Touring Strategies and Challenges 19:12 Business Ventures and Sync Opportunities 33:45 Why Crush focuses on Rock and Pop 35:40 Market Moves This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. Trapital Summit - Super Early Bird Tix Available Until 4/30.

Let’s cut through the noise and get real about what it takes to build a sustainable business on the world’s biggest video platform. Joining me are Ten2 Media founders Donna Budica and George Karalexis, who help artists like Benson Boone and Brent Faiyaz maximize YouTube. ****We dive into insights on how artists can take advantage of the YouTube ecosystem. Whether you're an artist, content creator, or curious about what really drives YouTube success—this episode is for you. 00:10 Impact of TikTok Ban 04:11 Content Formats and Artist Strategies 13:30 Navigating Artist Preferences 19:49 Comparing YouTube and Spotify This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

It’s time for a Trapital Mailbag! We dive into hot topics like the Coachella’s payment plan debate, Tubi’s strategy under Fox, Meta vs the FTC, Lucian Grainge’s tenure at UMG, and a special section on how we use AI tools at Trapital! 00:55 Coachella Payment Plans 07:07 Tubi's Long-Term Strategy 15:42 Lucian Grange's Impact on UMG 26:14 Meta and the FTC: A Legal Battle 29:47 AI Tools for Trapital Trapital Summit tickets here: early bird tickets until April 30! Want to be featured in the next partner spotlight? [email protected] Summit partnership opportunities: [email protected]

Our episode today is a two-parter. I start at the top with my take on TikTok. We then transition to our partner spotlight! Part 1: The April 4 deadline has passed, and there’s still no deal on TikTok. The app got caught in the middle of the U.S. - China trade war and the ongoing tariffs. How will this all play out? Part 2: I’m joined by beatBread’s CEO Peter Sinclair as we discuss the company’s Deal Comparison Tool and how it helps both artists and labels make the best possible decisions. 00:10 TikTok’s Role in the Trade War 06:15 Potential Outcomes for TikTok 10:11 beatBread’s Peter Sinclair joins us 011:06 Independent Labels and Financial Distress The beatBread Deal Comparison Tool This tool provides a side-by-side analysis of different deals, focusing on key financial aspects such as upfront cash, long-term costs, and cash flow projections over time. Trapital Summit tickets here: early bird tickets until April 30! want to be featured in the next partner spotlight? [email protected] summit partnership opportunities: [email protected]

It’s Data Week at Trapital and for part 2 in this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Spotify’s economic structure and the platform’s evolving role in the music industry. Spotify’s Head of Marketing & Policy for Music, Sam Duboff joins me as we take insights from the company’s Loud and Clear report, we explore how money flows through the system, what it means for both major and independent artists, and the ongoing conversation around fairness and sustainability. 01:27 Loud and Clear Report 09:20 What Does Independent Mean? 14:36 The 225K Emerging and Professional Artists 17:46 Superstar Artists and Global Reach Loud & Clear by Spotify 2025 Report This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

It’s Data Week at Trapital! In 2024, music streaming revenue growth slowed down, but not for everyone! MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan joins me to break down the compaby’s annual report and the latest trends. How will the rise of the global south shape the industry? Which sectors of the “indie” market are actually growing? Will expanded rights be the next big thing? 03:18 MIDiA Research’s Recorded Music Report 08:57 Expanded Rights and Fandom 13:06 Independent Music Growth 18:05 Non-Major Labels and Market Share 22:09 Future of Music Publishing MIDiA Research 2024 Global Recorded Music Revenue Report This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Is Apple Music shaping the future of streaming, or is it just playing catch-up? In this episode, we discuss the past ten years of Apple Music, its role in music streaming, and whether it’s more important to the music business than it is to Apple overall. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down the moves that led to this point, the exclusives, its stalled growth in recent years, and how it fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem. 00:15 Drake Announcing Apple Music at WWDC in 2015 04:30 Apple Music's Market Position 11:11 The Apple Ecosystem 18:53 Apple Music's Editorial and Curatorial Efforts This episode is presented by Trolley, the payout platform built for the music industry, helping artists, labels, and platforms seamlessly manage and distribute royalties worldwide.

The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread. Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcultures, and how the business has evolved. 02:08 Reddit as a Market Research Tool 04:54 The Power of Community and Moderation 15:29 Will Monetization Match its Cultural Influence? 19:41 If We Ran Reddit This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

In today’s entertainment landscape, with more platforms and formats than ever, do true moguls still exist? If we’re being honest, they may have more power today than ever before. From Lew Wasserman’s Hollywood dominance, to Ted Turner’s cable news empire, to today’s tech titans, we explore how these power players shaped the industry, and who might be next in line. Join me and Web Barr, Founder and CEO of Hi Barr Media. Web recently launched Media Moguls, where he dives deep into Ted Turner’s journey. 02:38 Ted Turner’s Rise 05:45 The Classic Definition of Media Mogul 11:16 Two Types of Moguls Today 18:46 The Future of Media Moguls This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all? In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “everything app,” how it differs from iMessage and texting, and why Meta has struggled to monetize it despite its massive reach. 04:33 WhatsApp's Global Growth Strategy 17:07 WhatsApp's Advertising and Privacy Dilemma 21:34 WhatsApp's role in Meta l 24:22 Instagram DMs vs WhatsApp 29:38 WhatsApp's US Growth Prospects This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? . In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore how artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny are navigating the ever-changing music landscape. What does it take to break through the noise, and is music stardom evolving into something completely different? Let’s get into it 02:00 Streaming's Impact on Music Industry 07:06 The impact of streaming and TikTok 11:09 Olivia Rodrigo's Streaming vs Sales 15:03 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA 23:23 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny 30:28 "Music Industry Aspirations and Realities" 33:39 Emerging Artists: Success Through Unique Roots Trapital Summit tickets are on sale! Super early bird discount until April 30. Register here. This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, Equity. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

According to Bloomberg, Spotify is exploring a new premium tier, Music Pro, which will include several new features and perks. But given what we know about music streaming, consumers, and record labels, who is this product really for? Will it work? Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano break down all aspects of the industry’s goal to get consumers to pay more for music streaming. 05:15 Breaking Down Music Pro 07:52 Challenges in Music Streaming 15:56 How Concert Presale Tickets Work 20:33 Consumer Behavior with Music Streaming 28:31 Alternatives to Music Pro This episode is presented by beatBread. Check out their Deal Comparison Tool at beatBread.com/compare Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Every few years, Meta makes a big push with a media-related product, but few of then have lasted long. Instant Articles, Facebook Watch, Instagram Live, podcasts, music videos and more. Why don’t these initiatives stick? Is this similar with most social media platforms that try new things? How will this evolve in the future? Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we discuss Meta, its suite of apps, and why these initiatives come and go. 04:32 Entertainment vs. Social Platforms 12:29 Meta’s Opportunity Cost 17:01 Instagram, WhatsApp, and acquisitions 23:21 The Future of Facebook 25:38 Social Media Trends 30:13 Open vs Closed Social Platforms This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

The most streamed song on Spotify from the 1980s is not from Queen, Michael Jackson, Prince, or Madonna. The most streamed Spotify song from the 2000s is not from Eminem, Usher, Beyonce, or Kanye West. The streaming data is full of unique takeaways about what people really listen to. Join me and Zack O'Malley Greenburg as we delve deep into Spotify and YouTube data, unraveling the surprises and the complex layers of music consumption. 04:10 Queen vs. Michael Jackson 07:23 The Rise of 'Mr. Brightside' 24:33 Does “Not Like Us” Have Global Reach? 28:46 TikTok's Influence on Radio 31:45 Music Catalogs and Value This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

When it comes to music, Disney is a generational hitmaker. From Miley Cyrus to Hilary Duff, Disney has consistently produced some of the biggest names in music over the past few decades. We break down what worked well, what hasn’t, and how it has evolved with artists like Olivia Rodrigo. Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we dive in Disney’s enduring influence in the music industry. 02:00 The Pop Star Pipeline 05:16 The Eras of Disney’s Pop Stars 09:04 Why Nickelodeon Doesn’t Have a Pipeline 17:33 Disney's Impact on Artist Careers 34:32 Can Other Companies Do The Same This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Join me and Billboard’s Kristin Robinson as we break down everything from the political context up to creator reactions to TikTok’s Shutdown. 9:11 Stalled Antitrust Efforts 14:12 How Creators Reacted to the Ban 16:05 TikTok's Role for Creators 25:12 Predictions on TikTok Ownership This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

In the podcasting world, audio quality used to be king. Today, however, video elements have become increasingly essential. As platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts continue to shift their strategies, the landscape of audio content is changing faster than ever. Join me and Ashley Carman of Bloomberg News as we break down everything about the podcast business, the current state of podcast deals, and paid podcasting and subscription models. 08:48 Video's Impact on Podcasting 12:44 Spotify's Video Push 21:45 Paid Podcasts 25:08 Audiobooks 34:37 YouTube TV App This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

YouTube turns 20 this year, and it’s influence continues to grow. In music, video, podcasts, advertising, entertainment, attention, and more. It’s in a unique role, where plenty of companies compete with YouTube, but few compete with it on all levels. But what does the future look like? Despite its edge, what are the challenges ahead? Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano to break it all down. 08:45 Video Podcasting Trends 11:56 YouTube Premium 20:52 Paying for Ad-Free Experience 29:42 Competitors and Challenges This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Spotify went from a $14 billion market cap in 2022 to crossing $100 billion toward the end of 2024. A lot has changed in two years, but there’s more to the story than just the past 24 months. Join me and Sleepwell Capital, an investor, to break down Spotify’s journey to profitability. Hope you enjoy! 04:59 Spotify vs Big Tech DSPs 10:16 Spotify's growth signifies change in music distribution. 14:26 Netflix comparisons 21:44 YouTube vs Spotify 28:19 Is Spotify's PE ratio too high? 32:31 Major label’s challenging 2024 This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Don't forget to follow Sleepwell Capital on X and Substack for more insights. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Here’s Part 2 of the winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label with Zack O’ Malley Greenburg. We talked about the shifting terrain of the music industry, down to the decline of festival headliners and the emergence of “Peak Superstar”. Hope you enjoy! 02:00 Live music - winners and losers 08:22 M&A - winners and losers 24:38 Comeback players of the year 28:13 Honorable mentions

Here are our winners and losers of 2024 in streaming, artist, and record label. Part 2 coming in a few days. Hear me and Zack O’ Malley Greenburg break it all down! 00:00 Streaming - winners and losers 15:23 Artist - winners and losers 26:00 Record Label - winners and losers Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!

Here’s my fireside chat with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud, from our Trapital Summit. We talked about the company’s sale process, how it became profitable, SoundCloud as a platform for tastemakers, and more. Hope you enjoy! 06:25 Connecting music creators and fans 07:48 How SoundCloud became profitable 13:30 Adding value for superfans 20:24 Helping smaller artists monetize and engage fans 25:26 The latest on the sale process 29:42 AI and artist autonomy will alter music

Here’s my fireside chat with Tunji Balogun, Chairman and CEO of Def Jam, and our Trapital Summit. We talked about the evolving landscape of Universal Music Group, fluidity of music genres, the state of hip-hop, and the role of artist development. Hope you enjoy! 04:31 Def Jam's evolution 11:32 Hip-hop’s current state and influence across genres 20:29 Artist development 28:11 Afrobeats' global rise. This episode was brought to you by music creation platform Splice.

At our Trapital Summit, we had a fireside chat on the overlooked areas of music with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. They discussed why it matters to invest in the new generation of talent, the tension between creators and rightsholders, and AI’s influence in music creation. Hope you enjoy! 08:22 Exploring differences between recorded music and creator tools. 08:56 Focus on creative vision, subscription model success. 12:34 Creating tools for human-centered artistic expression. 16:31 AI enhances music accessibility while preserving creativity. 20:23 Striving for better tools, UI in post-AI. 21:48 Music's influence grows beyond TikTok expectations. 25:34 Focus on nurturing young creators and fans. 26:36 Conversations between creators and rights holders challenging. This episode was brought to you by Hangout. All your music in one place. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

At our Trapital Summit, we had to talk about Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode. We were joined by the founder and CEO of Believe, Denis Ladegaillerie. Believe is global music company that owns TuneCore and had its IPO in 2021. But in 2024, a consortium led by Ladegaillerie tried to take the company private, while fending of a takeover attempt from Warner Music Group. We talked about that experience, Believe’s plans to 2025, and more. Note: This conversation was recorded on October 3, 2024, before Universal Music Group’s claims for copyright infringement from Believe. The topic was not discussed in our conversation. This episode was brought to you by Amy Allen, who is shaping today’s music one hit at a time. For your awards consideration. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

The global value of music copyright is now $45.5 billion. In this episode, we'll explore the global music market with friend of the pod, Spotify’s former chief economist, Will Page. We examine how glocalization is transforming the industry from Colombia to Brazil, Mexico, and beyond. We'll also discuss the difference between value and volume, streaming revenue, the need for better measurement of emerging markets, and more.** Stay tuned as we unravel the complexities and opportunities of the music world's evolution. Let’s dive in! 04:13 Vinyl’s growth and impact 07:02 The North-South divide 12:36 The State of Streaming 15:36 Non-American artists 17:17 Colombian music - import and exports 25:20 Brazilian market dynamics 26:58 Looking beyond market share This episode was brought to you by Too Lost, the all-in-one technology solution for musicians and record labels. Learn more here. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Aubrey Graham has taken two legal actions against Universal Music Group, Spotify, iHeartMedia, after the success of "Not Like Us." Are Drake's claims of inflated streams and defamation of character valid? Even if they are, what is Drake's end game with all of this? Listen to me and Brian "Z" Zisook, Audiomack co-founder, break it all down. This episode is brought to you by elgato, my go-to for podcasting.

Here's my fireside chat with Venice Music CEO and co-founder, Troy Carter, live from the summit. We talked about the shift to independence, the need to sell more than just an audio experience, why it's a sellers market for music distributors, and the next revenue driver for music will be after streaming. We'll be sharing more conversations from the summit over the next few weeks! This episode is brought to you by Hangout, the new social music platform. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

TikTok has had quite the 2024, especially in music. The year started with a very public dispute with UMG. But TikTok also saw the rise of SoundOn, the end of TikTok Music, lingering threats of a US ban, the force of TikTok Shop, and more. Join me and MIDiA’s Tati Cirisano as we break it all down. Sponsors: HubSpot: download your free AI playbook here. Chartmetric: check out our Stat of the Week!

Here’s another great fireside chat from our Trapital Summit. Listen to Warner Music Group’s chief digital officer Carletta Higginson and MIDiA Research’s Tatiana Cirisano discuss AI’s impact on music, and the ongoing tug-of-war for startup founders asking for permission vs forgivenes. Higginson has seen it from all sides of the table; as an attorney, at YouTube, and now at a major label and rights holder. Enjoy!This episode was brought to you by Too Lost, the all-in-one technology solution for musicians and record labels. Learn more here.

The NFL and Roc Nation just renewed their five-year partnership to lead the Super Bowl Halftime Show production and its Inspire Change Initiative. Let’s dive into what led to the initial deal in 2019, how it’s gone, Jay Z’s involvement, the twists, turns, and whole lot more. Join me and Zack O’Malley Greenburg as we break it all down.Sponsors: CD Baby: https://cdbaby.com/ Splice: https://splice.com/ Chartmetric: https://www.trapital.com/chartmetric

Here's my fireside chat with the Founder and CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners, Sherrese Clarke Soares, live from the Trapital Summit. We talked about the future of music rights, future-proofing assets, media companies, sports, and more. We'll be sharing more of our conversations from the summit on this feed, so stay tuned for that! This episode is brought to you by elgato, my go-to for podcasting tools. Learn more here. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Big news! The Recordings Academy announced that in 2027, the show will move to Disney and be broadcasted on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu in a new deal worth over $500 million. This is a huge loss for CBS, the home to music's biggest night since the early 1970s. In this episode we break down the reasons for the move, along with upcoming storylines from the 2025 Grammys in February. I'm joined by LA Times pop music critic, Mikael Wood! This episode was brought to you by elgato, my go-to for podcasting tools. Learn more here. This episode was brought to you by FUGA, a Downtown-owned company empowering independent music. Learn more here. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!

Here's my fireside chat with the Founder and CEO of EMPIRE, Ghazi, live from the Trapital Summit. We talked about the success behind his label's hit record, Shaboozey "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," the rise of indie music, and why he will never sell his company. We'll be sharing more of our conversations from the summit on this feed, so stay tuned for that! This episode is brought to you by music creation platform Splice, the world’s best sample library. Learn more here. Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Please take our annual listener survey here! There's arguably no executive more synonymous with the music business than Clive Davis. His influence still shapes the industry today. From his creative and business balance, to the outlook for newer genres, and the salacious scandals. In today's episode, we break it all down with Zack O'Malley Greenburg, who interviewed Davis years ago for his 2012 autobiography. Hope you enjoy! Sponsors: TIDAL: This episode is brought to you by TIDAL, who are building the hub for artists to manage and grow their careers. Learn more here. Listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week

Can you fill out Trapital's short 5-min annual survey? We want to learn more about you and get your feedback to help make Trapital even better. Trapital has evolved quite a bit. Our newsletter and podcast continue to get great feedback. Our reports and events have become a cornerstone of what we offer to the community. Your survey responses will help shape the topics we cover, events we plan, and the sponsors and partners we include that will be most relevant to you and your businesses. Can you spend 5 minutes and fill out our survey? It's quick, short, and to the point. Even if you've filled out our surveys in previous years, we still want to hear from you. Thanks in advance! We'll be back next week with a new episode. Here's the survey: https://trapital.typeform.com/to/q6mDOFEt

It's crisis management time for Drake. He's in rare territory right now as his reputation has taken a hit. What should his next moves be? What's realistic and what's not? How did we get to this point in the first place? I'm joined by journalist and author, Sowmya Krishnamurthy. We break down Drake's career and what's ahead for Aubrey Graham. Enjoy! Thank you to our sponsors: Songtrust - Start your music publishing journey today Chartmetric - Providing our Stat of the Week! Check out Sowmya's book, Fashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion

A few big updates on our Trapital Summit in LA on October 3! Tickets are available here. Use promo code RUNCIE for a discount. You'll hear from Issa Rae, (writer, producer, actress), Denis Ladegaillerie, (Founder and CEO, Believe), Kakul Srivastava (CEO, Splice), Tunji Balogun (Chairman and CEO, Def Jam), Sherrese Clarke Soares (Founder and CEO, HarbourView Equity Partners), Eliah Seton (CEO, SoundCloud), and Troy Carter (Co-Founder and CEO, Venice Music), Larry Jackson, (Co-Founder and CEO, gamma.), Carletta Higginson, (EVP Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group), and Tatiana Cirisano, (Senior Analyst and Consultant, MIDiA). Thanks again to the companies who supported our summit to help make it possible. Our platinum partner is Splice, gold partners are Tidal and Warner Music Group, silver partners are SoundCloud and Too Lost, and our bronze partner is Luminate. We still have some tickets available. You can get them here using promo code RUNCIE for a 10% discount!

Were you "silent" or "silenced"? We explore Oprah career, from her rise in broadcast, impactful television show, lucrative syndication deals, and how it helped her become a billionaire. We breakdown each of her business ventures, including her book club, magazine, OWN, and various partnerships with Weight Watchers and Apple TV+. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, Listen wherever you get podcasts! Episode sponsors: -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/ Make sure you check out our Trapital Summit. Tickets are still available! https://trapital.co/summit/2024

Whenever Will Page joins the show, we always go deep in a number of big topics: has music reached "peak oil"? the case for completion in royalty fairness growing impact of glocalization (winners and loser) Carole King and breadth, not depth, or catalogs Will is the author of Pivot, the former chief economist at Spotify, and a consultant for several companies in music. Hope you enjoy! Episode sponsors: -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/ Make sure you check out our Trapital Summit. Tickets are still available!

Let's take a trip inside Sphere in Las Vegas. This is a story about James Dolan's wild idea coming to life. We discuss U2's expensive yet lucrative residency, the 'Postcard from Earth' that prints money, and the endless advertising opportunities, and more. We break down the business, strategy, and challenges for the entertainment venue. I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to break it all down. Listen wherever you get podcasts! Episode sponsors: -Downtown Artist & Label Services - reach your fans wherever they are - https://trapital.co/downtown -State Farm - the coverage for your small business needs: https://shorturl.at/Euwjl -Chartmetric - providing our stat of the week! https://trapital.co/chartmetric/

In May, the U.S. Justice Department sued Live Nation - Ticketmaster for "monopolizing markets across the live concert industry," and called for the two companies to be broken up. But the DOJ's lawsuit may be focused on the wrong solution to the problem it wants to solve. In this episode, NYU Steinhardt professor Larry Miller and I break down the case, our issues with the lawsuit, and the best way to improve the concert business for consumers. Learn more about the Trapital Summit here. Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

StubHub has IPO plans this year, so it was the perfect time to breakdown the complicated, controversial, and crazy story of this ticket resale marketplace. We discuss its 25-year history, M&A, impact on the live concert business, and ways to improve the secondary ticketing experience for fans. I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. Hope you enjoy! Learn more about the Trapital Summit here. Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week. Learn more about Alts music investor trip to Nashville!

There are very few people in entertainment who move quite like 50 Cent. He's a true One of One, and the focus for today's episode. We break down his origins in music. From Jam Master Jay to Trackmasters, from "How to Rob" to his mixtape run, the highs of Get Rich or Die Tryin', the brand deals, influence, drama, and where he is today. The man turned trolling into a full time profession. I'm joined by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, friend of the pod, who interviewed 50 during his time at Forbes. Hope you enjoy! Learn more about the Trapital Summit here. Join us Oct 3 in LA! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

A handful of artists are having their moment. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Coco Jones, Victoria Monet, the list goes on. Will these artists be as big as Beyonce? Who knows, but they broke through an industry that becomes harder and harder to break through. But how does this change the strategy for the major labels? How are the companies outside of the label system handlling things differently. What do the economics of a true non-superstar model look like? To break it all down, I'm joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research. We first visited this topic in 2022, but so much has changed since then. Hope you enjoy! This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

We're introducing a new series in Trapital called One of Ones! We'll break down some of the most important moguls and executives in music, media, and entertainment. Our first one is on Quincy Jones. We discuss how his upbringing shapes his strategy in business, his leadership style compared to Motown founder Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson, two truths and a lie, and more. This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

We've all seen the headlines: another well-known artist struggles to sell tickets to their arena shows. But there are plenty of artists selling out those same venues. So what's really going on? I'm joined by CAA agent Akin Aliu to break it all down. We discuss the post-pandemic touring landscape and the role of each stakeholder: artists, managers, agents, promoters, venues, and more. They each have different incentives that shape the economics, and the product that hits the streets. This episode is presented by State Farm: the coverage for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Make sure you check out our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

Depending on who you ask, it's either the best or worst time to be an artist. There's plenty of evidence on both sides. Today, we're breaking down all of that and more. I'm joined by beatBread's Peter Sinclair. We covered it all: why it's the best time to be an artist but why it's harder to be an omnipresent superstar the role and perception of Spotify, YouTube, and DSPs making it in music today vs. the CD era the impact of a great producer and a guest verse why it's harder than ever to be the bigger This was a jam packed episode. Hope you enjoy! This episode is presented by State Farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Listen in for our Chartmetric stat of the episode!

Let's dive deep into the world of A24, the film studio known for its distinctive approach to storytelling. We explore A24’s journey from a savvy film distributor to a powerhouse production studio with hits like "Moonlight" and "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once." But A24 faces some headwinds: big investments with higher expectations, a string of underperforming releases, and pressure to expand to bigger budget IP. How can the brand known for its mystique be able to maintain its unique positioning? I'm joined by friend of the pod, Dr. Marcus Collins, to break it all down. Make sure you listen for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week!