Major label bosses put the spotlight on superfans

On this week's show we discuss the start-of-year memos from the bosses of Universal Music and Warner Music, both of whom put the spotlight in super-serving superfans, plus the ASA ruling against Viagogo's advertorial pieces in the NME, and lots of stats about the music market in 2023. SECTION TIMES 01: New year memos (00:04:45) 02: News in brief (00:18:37) 03: Viagogo (00:25:01) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Universal “most successful company in the history of the music industry” hoots Grainge in 2024 memo • Lucian Grainge's 2024 memo to Universal Music Group staff • Warner Music boss talks streaming model and super-fans in start-of-year memo • UK’s Advertising Standards Authority raps Viagogo over NME paid editorial NEWS IN BRIEF • Vinyl sales grow, cassettes slump; streaming now 87.7% of UK music consumption • UK music retail brought in £2.2 billion in 2023 says ERA • India’s streaming growth explodes to hit over one trillion streams, Gen Z pull back on streaming subscription spend ALSO MENTIONED • Music industry welcomes proposed new laws to help performers protect their voices and likeness from AI clones • Artificial Intelligence and the music industry in 2023 • CMU's 2024 Masterclass Sessions • Sony Music chief talks streaming, short-form, gaming and AI in investor presentation (May 2023)