Digital Music Information and Open On Sunday returned to Atlanta for Music Biz 2026 on the Renaissance Waverly Lodge. Business leaders, executives, artists, and tech innovators gathered to give attention to sync licensing and rejoice this central theme.
Whereas trade figures exchanged concepts on many topics, sync licensing dominated networking and discussions.
Among the many voices at Music Biz was Noah Schäftlmeier, co-founder of Counterfight. His firm’s know-how scans each social media platform to determine unlicensed music use by companies.
He highlighted a rising concern for rights holders. Whereas social media licenses might cowl private use, enterprise exploitation typically goes untracked and unpaid.
“We will inform you which corporations are utilizing your music, after which we’re going to achieve out to them and ask them to pay for it,” Schäftlmeier defined.
Past licensing, conversations additionally centered on AI’s rising affect in music. Whereas AI gives helpful artistic instruments, it additionally raises important considerations for artists. Schäftlmeier added, “AI music now’s at the very least threatening to many artists. We’re looking for the bridge between the dangerous AI and the nice AI, to make use of it in favor of the artists.”
Whereas AI can help with knowledge administration, Schäftlmeier clarifies, “We wish to work with actual music, from individuals who create from the center.”
Patrick Ross, COO of Music Ally, highlighted that understanding AI is essential for the trade to maintain tempo with change. The discussions centered on how schooling may also help professionals reply to AI-driven developments.
His group affords digital advertising and marketing certifications and hosts Music Ally Join, an occasion in London for innovation and data sharing. “However most individuals know us as a commerce publication,” Ross added.
“We go in and attempt to assist the trade be smarter, work higher, hold the tempo on what’s occurring with issues, not least of all AI,” Ross mentioned.
Persevering with with key voices from the convention was Matthew Maxwell, founding father of Maxwell and Schweighauser, a agency centered on royalty auditing and catalog administration.
“We assist rights holders and legacy estates handle catalogs and guarantee they accumulate all their cash.”
He likened catalog administration to actual property, emphasizing {that a} deep understanding is important earlier than negotiations. “It’s like getting an appraisal on your own home earlier than you go into the market. And if you get some renovations performed, you get it appraised once more to see what it’s value. That’s how I give it some thought.”
Maxwell emphasised the necessity to put together catalogs now, as acquisition corporations might quickly search extra catalogs past high-tier ones. Technical accuracy issues. Maxwell harassed the necessity for up to date knowledge and appropriately formatted audio information to maximise sync potential. “Sync brokers should know possession particulars and splits to expedite licensing. Organized estates construct belief and velocity up offers.”
He additionally famous the brand new sync alternatives for older catalogs. “It’s a good way to revive music. Sync now consists of social media, YouTube, Twitch streams, and podcasts.”
Amid the thrill about know-how and innovation mentioned at Music Biz 2026, the enduring significance of human creativity and connection was additionally clear. Atlanta’s affect was celebrated, with many attendees expressing delight within the metropolis’s contributions to the trade.
Bizzy Awards honored these driving the music enterprise ahead. Vicky Nauman, founder and CEO of CrossBorderWorks, obtained the Digital Innovator Award, whereas Dmitri Vietze of Rock Paper Scissors was named Ace Communicator.
Trying forward, as Music Biz heads west to San Diego in 2027, the trade stays dedicated to balancing know-how and artistry. Smarter catalog administration, AI-powered rights monitoring, and schooling on new tendencies drive the evolution of rights administration and creativity.
