Fulwell 73 Productions signs development deal with CBS
Independent UK-based production firm Fulwell 73 Productions has signed a development deal with CBS Television Studios, with Apple Music’s upcoming Carpool Karaoke spinoff show set to become its initial project. Fulwell 73, which is comprised of partners Ben Winston, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner and Gabe Turner, has worked on a raft of award-winning projects, spanning music videos, TV, film and commercials. These include the upcoming Usain bolt film I Am Bolt, Class OF 92, Mo Farah: Race Of His Life and Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty’s Service. In February of this year, the company collected the Best Music Video Brit Award for a record-breaking third consecutive year for its work with One Direction, while Winston also served as executive producer on the UK version of The X Factor. Winston has also produced and directed record-breaking documentaries and movies for One Direction and won an MTV Video Music Award for directing the music video for Best Song Ever. Both Pearlman and Turner will be delivering keynote addresses at next month’s MUSEXPO Europe in London.
Universal Music Group poaches Warner exec
Universal Music Group has appointed Oana Ruxandra to the newly created position of senior vice president of digital strategy and partnerships. Ruxandra most recently served as vice president of digital strategy and business development at Warner Music Group. In her new role she will work closely with UMG’s senior management team and label leadership to develop digital strategy and implement critical business priorities into the company’s partnerships. She will be based in Santa Monica and report to Michael Nash, UMG’s executive vice president of digital strategy.
Purple Entertainment promotes Meacham and Philpott
Purple Entertainment has announced the promotion of Anna Meacham to international head of entertainment and music and Emma Philpott to international head of entertainment and sport. The pair will report to company founder and CEO Carl Fysh and help to oversee the company's team, roster of talent and international expansion. Meacham joined the firm six years ago and has since built up a client base that includes the likes of Bjork, Zayn, Grimes, The Chemical Brothers, Big Sean and Kelsey Lu. Philpott joined seven years ago and is currently leading the company's expansion into sport. While overseeing the global publicity campaign for world champion F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, she also represents the likes of Alicia Keys, Major Lazer, Little Dragon, Seth Troxler and Black Coffee.
New music festival for Manchester
Off The Record, a new festival aimed at championing new bands, will take place later this year in Manchester. From the team behind Kendall Calling and Bluedot, The festival will bring around 30 new bands to six venues in the city centre on November 4, with the line-up curated by the likes of Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, John Kennedy, Tim Burgess, and Frank Turner, plus Manchester music shop Piccadilly Records, and local writers, radio presenters, and bloggers. In addition to the new music on offer, Off The Record also includes an extensive conference programme designed to address the latest industry developments and provide a networking opportunity for industry professionals and fresh talent. (Manchester Evening News)
SoundCloud Go now available on Sonos home speaker systems
Online audio distribution platform SoundCloud has announced that SoundCloud Go is now available on home speaker system Sonos. For a monthly fee of £9.99, SoundCloud Go allows uninterrupted listening, as well as an expanded catalogue of over 125 million tracks, featuring artists signed to the likes of Sony Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Merlin and Warner Music Group, as well as numerous unsigned, up-and-coming musicians. Existing subscribers don’t need to do anything to be able to use the features of SoundCloud Go on Sonos – their account will automatically reflect their Go status, and they’ll be able to stream immediately. SoundCloud Go is $9.99 per month in the US, £9.99 per month in the UK or €9.99 in France and Ireland on Android, and $12.99/£12.99/€12.99 on iOS.
