In certain circles, Pandora’s reputation has become truly toxic over the last few years of copyright lobbying, royalty arguments and post-IPO share-selling. There’s strong evidence that the company is trying to reset its relations with labels, publishers and artists in 2014 though: witness its hiring of Columbia exec Lars Murray as its new VP of industry relations in July. Billboard has more information on Pandora’s desire to be a friendlier partner for the music industry under CEO Brian McAndrews, who took over in September 2013. “The second he walked in here, he wanted to listen to the industry and put more resources into working together,” says Pandora’s head of music partnerships. RIAA boss Mitch Glazier is quoted praising the moves, but National Music Publishers’ Association chief David Israelite isn’t convinced yet: “They’ve done nothing differently to address the actual reason they’re so unpopular in the music industry…”
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools: Kaiber
In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…