NME, Guitar.com, Uncut & MusicTech form new media group, NME Networks

A string of media titles, including NME, Guitar.com, Uncut and MusicTech, have united to form new media group, NME Networks.

Parent company BandLab Technologies made the announcement, saying the move is to help the media brands operate with a “common purpose to create and curate content that entertains, inspires and informs the world of music”.

The shift in operations has also led to some role changes within the company. Holly Bishop steps into the role of chief operating & commercial officer of NME Networks, after being with the company since 2013 and leading commercial efforts globally for the past 2.5 years. In addition, Iliyas Ong, who was previously responsible for launching the media division and leading global content strategy at BandLab Technologies, will now take on the role of editorial director across NME Networks.

Bishop said the launch of NME Networks is a huge step forward in the evolution of its media proposition.

“The creation of a unified identity connected to the world’s most famous music media brand; NME, enables us to realise the synergies between our brands and turn our collective audiences on to a deeper world of pop culture.”

NME Networks’ various titles have seen large growth over the past few years, with Guitar.com claiming a 932% rise in US users and 618% rise in UK users from 2018 to 2021. In addition, NME, which launched in 1952 as New Musical Express, saw an audience growth of 49% and 45% in the US and UK respectively.

In late 2019, NME launched its Australian division, telling TMN at the time that Australia was the title’s third largest market in the world.

Just last week, BandLab purchased artist services platform ReverbNation in an effort to diversify its services for the global indie music sector.