This time, in a bonus episode, we feature Epidemic Sound.

Epidemic has been mentioned more times in our podcast than any other library label. And is without doubt, with a market capitalization of $1.4 billion, the major library disruptor of our time.

So who are these ‘bad boys’ of library? What are their intentions?

The Epidemic business model is certainly different, and Niklas Brantberg, head of music, opens the lid on this huge company. In a candid interview, Niklas reveals (amongst many other things) the way Epidemic differs from other libraries in its relationship with both its users and its composers, how it started, what its composers earn, how it relates to the infrastructure of conventional libraries, and also gives some clues as to how best to compete with this behemoth.

It’s a fantastic interview, and a must-listen for any library owner or composer who wants to look deeper into the present and near-future of our business.

Love it, or loathe it, Epidemic is here to stay!

Want to know what the academic community make of our business? Then you need to hit the play button to start this brand new episode of Synchronized! It’s very revealing!

Ferry van Beek & Simon Webb talk with PhD candidates Júlia Durand & Toby Huelin. They approach our industry in an academic way and ask questions we wouldn’t but probably should.

Later this year they are organising a study day about production music. Check out their website to find out how to participate!

In this first episode of 2022, Andy Hill, CEO of I Like Music, is back as our guest on Synchronized!

And, of huge importance to those publishers operating in the UK, he talks about the conclusion of I Like Music's contract with the BBC, and what ILM has in store for us next.

Andy looks back at how Napster slashed the profitability of the record companies in the 90’s. He predicts the same will happen to the production music labels in the near future if they don’t act on the lessons learned by the record companies.

His solution? A new platform to service clients who are now moving to other worldwide platforms like Epidemic Music. Participating production music labels will not only share in the revenues, but also become equity holders in this new platform.

He strongly suggests that production music label owners should act now. Want to know how? Begin by listening to this new episode! 

And "Don't just kick the can down the road!"

Let’s talk about money!

It’s safe to say that everybody would like to know how much their catalogue is worth. You also might wonder how easy it would be to sell your catalogue.

Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb talk to Marzio Schena from Anote Music, and try to get the answers to these questions.

Anote Music is a marketplace where people can invest in music royalties, and where rights holders can sell their rights. (A kind of Stock Market for music rights.)

With this platform you can raise money to invest in further development of your catalogue, or buy that nice piece of gear that you’ve always wanted.

Does this mean that music is just another commodity? Find out and listen to this fascinating new episode!

This episode is a complete hour about the documentary, The Library Music Film, and more.

Travel back to the Golden Era of Library music and find out about the music you may know, and the stories you may not.

Do you have any idea which famous library track was used in The Muppets? Listen to this episode of Synchronized! and you’ll find out!

And you'll also find out why an Epidemic composer will never end up owning a boat!

Simon Webb and Ferry van Beek had a great time with Paul Elliott, the director of this highly entertaining documentary. We’re sure you will have a worthwhile hour listening to our discussion.

What do you need to get great music? Great musicians!

Musiversal is a platform where you can record in real time with professional session musicians. A platform for session musicians may not sound revolutionary but Musiversal does it differently.

It’s subscription based rates allow you to a certain amount of live remote sessions per month. In this episode of Synchronized! Martin Quach, co-founder and CGO of Musiversal, talks with Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb on how it all started, and what they want to achieve with their services.

Want to know if it’s something you can use? Listen to this new episode of Synchronized!

Magda Niestryjewska is Head of Sync and Music Supervisor at Jaguarec in Poland. Jaguarec is an established publisher of a variety of production music labels and caters to clients in TV and advertising.

What does she think is the best way to face the increasing competition? Should we try to imitate the disruptors? Or do traditional sub-publishers need to concentrate on their own strengths?

Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb were treated to a positive outlook on our business. It’s an hour of your time but what a great way of starting off your weekend!

Jay Mistry is a music industry veteran of 30 years. He commenced his career at PRS, later worked at BMG, then the Discovery Channel, all in senior positions. He is now the CEO of JMC Music Services, providing business and creative services for content producers in TV and Advertising

Jay Mistry talks about his work, the path ahead for production music and the challenges and the ups and downs that we all face.

Interested in his views on our industry? Just sit down and listen to this new episode of Synchronized!

What do you get when you combine the talents of a man who fronted the commercial development of Guitar Hero and a Grammy Award winning music producer who worked with U2, Gwen Stefani and Tina Turner?

Audio watermarking version 2.0!

Kelly Sumner and Simon Gogerly from SonicData talk with Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb about the possibilities of their SonicKey.

Transparancy for All and All for Transparancy. SonicData is ready to open the black boxes of the PRO’s and make sure rights holders and artists stop losing money each and every year.

If that doesn’t give you enough reason to listen to this episode of Synchronized! we suspect you already own the key to one of these black boxes!

With 2 billion dollars distributed every year, thanks to their metadata and more than 4000 companies using their services worldwide, you have to agree that BMAT is a force to reckon with.

Want to know what drives this company? Listen to this new episode of Synchronized! in which Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb talk with Pedro Cano & Luis Ruano.

Find out what BMAT can do for our industry. And should we worry about the fact that the audio level of music on television may determine how much you get paid out?

Synchronized! is presented by Ferry van Beek and Simon Webb and is proudly sponsored by the Production Music Association (PMA).