Facebook is searching for a director of global music licensing partnerships, a move that industry executives view as a sign that the social network has decided to be more engaged with the music community to develop music-related products and tools. In particular, Facebook’s use of YouTube videos without compensation has been a cause of friction with the industry.
"This is the response to Facebook realising it needs to improve its relationship with the industry. They face the eventually of our entire industry realising how much money we are losing from the cannibalisation of Youtube via Facebook Video. If they want to be a real player in video, they need to fairly treat copyright holders,” Joe Conyers III, VP/General Manager of New York-based rights management company Songtrust, told Music Week.
In a job post on LinkedIn, Facebook said it was "seeking a Director of Global Music Licensing who is passionate about the changing music ecosystem, technology and supporting our goal of connecting people through social media, the mobile eco-system and business strategy.” The job will include leading "Facebook’s strategy and negotiations with music labels and publishing/performing rights organisations, as well as collaborate with our product and media partnerships teams to ensure a coordinated and best-in-class licensing structure.” The position is based in Facebook's main office in Menlo Park, California.
The responsibilities of the job will include: Leading music licensing strategy and negotiations with rights holders throughout the world; Working with Facebook product and partnerships teams to ensure a comprehensive music strategy that supports our efforts to make the world more connected on Facebook; Representing Facebook in meetings with music industry executives from other companies globally; Being a source of deep insights about the music ecosystem and partners to our executives; and executing in an intense, fast-paced, and highly iterative environment.
