New Signings & Team-Ups: New sponsor for Blues on Broadbeach; Republic signs actress Hailee Steinfeld; Sony Music sets up brand consultancy

New sponsor for Blues on Broadbeach

One of the Gold Coast’s biggest music festivals, Blues on Broadbeach, attracted a new naming rights sponsor, James Frizelle’s Automotive Group.

From 2016 to 2018, it will be rebranded Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival Powered by James Frizelle’s Automotive Group. The dealer’s principals Rebecca and Brett Frizelle are blues fans who are avid attendees of the event. Jan McCormick, CEO of Broadbeach Alliance which presents the event, said the sponsorship would allow the festival to grow and remain free

Run in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and the City of Gold Coast, the free festival was held over four days from last Thursday to Sunday for the 14th year. Final crowd figures are not tallied as yet, but it is expected to equal, or exceed, last year’s record 125,000. It injects an estimated $15.6 million into the local economy with all accommodation in the area booked out. This year the festival was marketed heavily in Melbourne as the AFL teams Gold Coast and Collingwood were also clashing at the time at the 25,000 Metricon Stadium and many Victorians were attending.

This year’s major acts included The Black Sorrows, Ash Grunwald, James Morrison, The Backsliders, Kevin Borich and The Mason Rack Band. England’s Andrew Strong and The Commitments asked to be on the bill.

A&R Dept. cuts multi-partnerships

The A&R Department partnered with Shock, Albert’s Publishing and the UK’s A&G to pull synchronisation opportunities for artists in its catalogue. Ayla’s Wish I Was featured on Channel 10’s Wonderland (with an average audience of 1 million) and Harts' single Red and Blue was featured for a BBC Match of the Day insert, which went out to five million viewers.

Republic Records turns actress Hailee Steinfeld to music star

Republic Records signed Oscar-nominated US actress Hailee Steinfeld(pictured) to a record deal. The 18-year-old plays a member of a capela group The Barden Bellas in current top grossing Pitch Perfect 2 and did a cameo on Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood video, “The moment that we met Hailee we found her commitment to music inspiring,” Republic’s EVP Charlie Walk. “She has the vision, natural talent, and dedication to compete at the highest level. We are thrilled to be part of her musical journey.” She’s working on a debut release.

Moses Gunn pick Select

A week after announcing a record deal with Create/Control, Brisbane’s Moses Gunn Collective signed a booking deal with Sydney’s Select Agency.

Decca Australia signs Don Bradman’s granddaughter

Decca Records Australia signed cricket legend (and classical pianist and boy soprano) Sir Donald Bradman’s soprano granddaughter Greta to its Decca Classics imprint. She previously recorded for Sony Music, ABC Classics and independently. Her album My Hero, recorded in London with the English Chamber Orchestra is out internationally in August. Greta was turned on to classical music through paternal grandfather Sir Don’s record collection and maternal grandfather Horace Young who was an amateur opera singer.

Adelaide Fat Trax Records launches with Jess Nicks

Adelaide recording studio Fat Trax’s new label Fat Trax Records officially launches with Jess Nicks’ album It’s Your Time. The single Wrong Way is getting play on Life FM. She was inaugural winner of the Discover competition run by Fat Trax, Life FM, Clientology and Rob Jenkins Photography.

Sony Music sets up brand consultancy, signs three Asian acts

Sony Music Entertainment Asia Pacific launched a talent development and brand consultancy Brand Solutions Hub in Singapore to groom local talent. It signed three local acts – pop band The Sam Willows, Singapore Idol winner Sezairi and duo Trick – to develop local talent, and help them reach a global audience. It was set up with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to grow the regional music industry and bolster Singapore as a music and lifestyle destination.

Denis Handlin AM, Chairman and CEO, Australia & New Zealand and President Asia Sony Music Entertainment, commented that the Hub "builds on Sony Music’s leadership and success in identifying and developing local talent across the region" and acknowledged “the vision and commitment of the Singapore Economic Development Board towards the growth and innovation of the music industry in both Singapore and export markets.”

Melbourne acts join Agency Group for North America

Following showcases at Canadian Music Week Melbourne singer songwriter HOWQUA and The Pierce Brothers were signed by The Agency Group for North America. In an APRA interview to coincide with his Vivid Sydney appearance, British producer Steve Lillywhite singled out HOWQUA as an Australia act to watch and commended his new single Fishing For Gold.

Target taps Jessica Mauboy as brand ambassador

Citing her credentials as a “down to earth and a much-loved Aussie icon”, Target appointed singer Jessica Mauboy as a brand ambassador and new face of its women’s wear. Mauboy, who modeled for a Target fashion show, will do photoshoots and events appearances for the brand.

Will Spotify / Starbucks deal reach Australia?

The new multi-year agreement struck by Spotify and Starbucks Coffee Company is a possibility down the track for Australia.But at the moment, it is only for America. The 150,000 employees of its 7,049 US outlets will control in-store music. “It makes the barista the DJ”, Spotify’s CEO Daniel Eck said. Starbucks gets a dedicated section of the Spotify app which is used by 60 million worldwide, and its workers get a complimentary access to Spotify Premium to familiarize themselves. It also promote My Starbucks Rewards, a loyalty program with 10.3 million members. Customers also earn free drinks and food if they take out a subscription to Spotify Premium.

At the launch of the US deal, Spotify Chairman-CEO Howard Schultz said that it would “reinvent the way our global customers discover music.” A global roll-out is planned, with the UK (549 stores) and Canada (983 stores) next in line (and most likely China with 893 stores), and makes it a possibility that the 24 Starbucks stores in Australia could also become Spotified.

Adelaide’s Big Rig gains digital rights for two acts

Adelaide’s Big Rig Records gained digital rights for two acts, releasing the self-titled EP by Adelaide duo Battle of Flowers as well as the debut single from Stockholm's The Presolar Sands through its existing tie-up with Stockholm based label and booking agency Lazy Octopus.

Animal Logic sets up second studio in Vancouver

Award-winning Australian visual effects and animation studio Animal Logic pacted a three-picture deal with Warner Bros. Pictures that will see it set up a second studio in Vancouver, Canada, this September. Animal Logic previously worked with Warner Bros over 15 years, on the hits Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole and The LEGO Movie.

Sony/ATV signs Krept And Konan to world deal

Sony/ATV Music Publishing UK have British urban duo Krept And Konan on a global deal. They are with Virgin/ Universal Music in this country. The duo were still unsigned when they won Best UK Newcomers at the 2013 MOBO Awards. The Virgin deal followed as a result. They went on to win Best International Act: UK at the BETs and Best hip-hop act at the MOBOs. They tour Australia this year. Their debut album The Long Way Home features Ed Sheeran, Wiz Khalifa, Emeli Sandé and Rick Ross is out in the UK July 6.

MixRadio expands to new platforms

Global music streaming service and “personal radio station” MixRadio – its 35 million tracks and10,000 curated mixes are available in Australia along with 30 other countries – enters the massive mobile market by being available on iOS and Android. Previously owned by Nokia, it was bought out this March by Japanese mobile messaging company LINE, which claims 181 million users.

Perth’s State of the Art Festival ties in deals for comp

Perth’s State of the Art Festival this Saturday struck deals to get two punters overseas. Etihad will fly them to London, and they get two VIP camping tickets to Bestival in mid-September where Tame Impala and Pond are performing.