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Sound Royalties Closes Record 2025 With $135 Million Funded To Creators

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Sound Royalties has announced a record-breaking 2025, distributing $135 million in funded contracts directly to creators worldwide. The milestone year also marked the company’s expansion into financing for YouTube creators and TV production companies, addressing growing global demand for creator-focused funding solutions.

High-profile recipients of funding in 2025 included two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Tayla Parx and producer Jon Gilbert, known for his work with Foster The People, Kurt Vile and Mt. Joy. Dominican rapper El Alfa also received a substantial new round of funding, alongside numerous other award-winning and globally recognized creatives.

Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties was built to provide customized funding without requiring creators to sell or relinquish copyright ownership. In 2025, the company more than doubled its assets under management generated through referred business, reflecting over 100 percent year-over-year growth and expanding its reach to creators in more than 30 countries across the US, UK, EU, LATAM and APAC regions.

“This record performance is all the more gratifying for us because it means millions of actual dollars have been contracted and deployed to creators,” said Founder and CEO Alex Heiche. Managing Partner Michael Bizenov added that increasing referrals from attorneys, business managers and music companies underscores the trust placed in Sound Royalties’ model, which offers fixed fees and terms without requiring creators to sell rights, pledge collateral or surrender ownership.

Adam Sandler To Receive ASCAP Founders Award At 2026 ASCAP Experience

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The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will honor Adam Sandler with the ASCAP Founders Award at the 2026 ASCAP Experience on February 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The award recognizes Sandler’s contributions to music and songwriting across comedy, film and popular culture during his 33-year tenure as an ASCAP member.

“Adam is a giant of comedy, and so many of his most hilarious onscreen moments are based in music and song,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “From Opera Man to ‘The Chanukah Song’ to ‘Grow Old with You,’ Adam’s genius ability to seamlessly blend comedy and music helps us all appreciate the wonders and absurdities of life and love.”

With nearly 450 ASCAP-registered works, Sandler has built a catalog spanning SNL staples such as “The Thanksgiving Song,” “Lunchlady Land” and “Red Hooded Sweatshirt” to his tribute to Chris Farley in the Netflix special 100% Fresh. He has released six albums, including double-platinum titles They’re All Gonna Laugh at You! and What the Hell Happened to Me?, and earned three Grammy nominations.

Now in its 20th year, ASCAP Experience convenes songwriters, composers and producers for panels, workshops and performances. The 2026 lineup includes Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Justin Tranter, James Fauntleroy, Andreas Carlsson, Darrell Brown, Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, Nova Wav and Mark Sonnenblick, offering a full day of creative insight and industry connection.

The Jim Henson Company Announces ‘Wowsabout’ For PBS KIDS

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The Jim Henson Company is bringing a new live-action preschool special to PBS KIDS with Wowsabout, a 22-minute adventure starring original puppet characters. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Sequoia National Park, the special celebrates the power of awe through the unlikely friendship of Ronald, a fastidious little pig, and Roxy, a musical hedgehog.

Created and written by Halle Stanford and Dorien Davies, Wowsabout follows Roxy’s quest to find the park’s “magical giants” while Ronald focuses on earning his junior ranger badge. Their journey blends music, art and playful misadventures, showing young viewers how curiosity and friendship can grow from exploring the natural world together.

The special is rooted in a curriculum developed by emotion scientist Dr. Dacher Keltner, author of “AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.” By spotlighting moments of wonder in nature and everyday life, Wowsabout encourages children to recognize awe as a feeling that sparks creativity, kindness and connection.

“Wowsabout brings The Jim Henson Company’s rich legacy of puppetry into the natural world,” said CEO Lisa Henson. With John Tartaglia directing and performing Ronald and Dorien Davies voicing Roxy, the production pairs heartfelt storytelling with research-backed emotional learning, inviting families to begin their own “Wowsabouts” when the special premieres later this year.

ennessee Launches Sound Bites Pairing Music And Food Across The State

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The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has launched Sound Bites, a statewide campaign that pairs two of Tennessee’s defining traditions, music and food, into one immersive experience. Rather than treating music as background noise, Sound Bites positions it as a core ingredient of the meal, inviting visitors to savor dishes alongside specially created original songs.

At the center of the campaign is the concept of “sonic seasoning,” a term rooted in research by Oxford experimental psychologist Charles Spence. His studies show that tempo, pitch and instrumentation can influence how the brain perceives sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami flavors. Sound Bites brings that science to life through chef and artist collaborations across the state.

Three short-form films now streaming at TNSoundBites.com spotlight regional pairings. In East Tennessee, Lee Brice, David Tolliver and Billy Montana collaborate with Chef Jeff Carter of Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro. In Middle Tennessee, Ben Rector teams with Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters. In West Tennessee, DJ Paul, Southern Avenue, Lil Wyte and Boo Mitchell join Chef Felicia Willett of Felicia Suzanne’s.

“For centuries, people have paired food with wine. Now, we’re asking, ‘Why not food and music?’” said Commissioner Mark Ezell. An interactive tool on TNSoundBites.com allows users to enter a dish, identify its flavor profile and receive curated Tennessee playlists designed to enhance the tasting experience, turning every bite into a soundtrack-driven memory.

Run Remedy Reimagines Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” With Queer Alt-Pop Spin

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Alt-pop artist Run Remedy has released a bold reinterpretation of Rick Springfield’s 1981 hit “Jessie’s Girl,” transforming the classic into a soft, sapphic daydream. The Manchester-based, American-born songwriter, born Robin Koob, reshapes the original’s longing into an intimate, queer slow-burn, layering lush instrumentation and playful key changes over the song’s unmistakable riff.

“I swear if I’m back home driving around South Jersey, ‘Jessie’s Girl’ will come on within the hour,” Koob says. “That level of cringey yearning is timeless, so obviously I had to make my own sapphic spinoff.” In this version, all the characters are women, shifting the narrative into tender territory while maintaining the emotional pull that made the original a pop staple.

Run Remedy swaps the iconic guitar solo for banjo, changes the key twice, and injects witty lyrical twists without losing the hook that fans recognize instantly. “The original video is pure camp, so I basically Weird Al’d it with rainbow kids,” she explains, describing a one-day shoot around Manchester that recreated the spirit of the original with a playful queer lens.

Following the release, Run Remedy will perform at The New Colossus Festival in New York City on March 3–4, support Charlotte Carpenter at The Eagle Inn in Manchester on April 23, join Katie Rigby at 45 Vinyl Café in York on May 2, and appear at Kendal Calling Festival in Cumbria on August 2. Her debut album Xtian Skate Night, released in June 2025, introduced her blend of confessional lyricism and atmospheric indie textures, laying the groundwork for this inventive new chapter.

SoundExchange Expands Global Reach With 17 New International CMO Agreements

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SoundExchange has added 17 new agreements with collective management organizations worldwide, expanding its global neighboring rights coverage to more than 91% of the available market. The latest signings, spanning Kenya, Barbados, Panama, Paraguay and key European territories, bring the nonprofit’s total portfolio to over 90 agreements.

Most of the new agreements were reached in 2025, including rights owner pacts with Barbados’ Copyright Society Of Composers Authors & Publishers, Paraguay’s Sociedad de Gestión de Productores Fonográficos del Paraguay and Kenya’s Kenya Association of Music Producers. Entering 2026, SoundExchange finalized performer agreements with Kenya’s KAMP and Norway’s Gramo, strengthening its international performer representation.

“Expanding our network of agreements with partner CMOs throughout the world bolsters our ability to offer premier international neighboring rights services,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “This growth strengthens our global reach and reinforces our mission to deliver transparency and efficiency for artists and rights holders worldwide.”

SoundExchange, the largest neighboring rights collective globally, represents nearly 500,000 artists and rights owners and has distributed more than $12 billion in digital performance royalties since 2003. Through its SX Direct portal, performers and rights holders can collect all available global royalties or select individual territories, streamlining international collections with one centralized partner.

The Jim Henson Company Celebrates 40 Years Of Labyrinth With Robust Consumer Products Collection

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Jim Henson’s fantasy musical Labyrinth turns 40 this year, celebrating a film that continues to enchant audiences worldwide. Starring David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, the coming-of-age adventure remains a defining 1980s cult classic. Its soundtrack, fashion, creatures and imaginative world still resonate, connecting generations through music, fantasy and nostalgia.

The anniversary year began with nationwide screenings presented by Fathom Events in hundreds of U.S. theaters. Labyrinth in Concert, featuring a live band performing alongside the film, is currently touring the U.K. through April and will return to the U.S. in September for a multi-city run, drawing sold-out crowds eager to relive the magic on the big screen.

A wide slate of new and returning licensees is rolling out products to mark the milestone. New partners include Bit Bot Media, Bottleneck Gallery, Buffalo Games, Bullairs, Cosmic Beauty, EXO-6 and WOLFpak, offering everything from collectible figures and puzzles to apparel, sneakers and accessories. Returning brands such as Cavity Colors, Insight Editions, Plastic Meatball and Truffle Shuffle x Loungefly are also debuting fresh collections.

“The Labyrinth franchise has continued to grow year over year for forty years, and it will continue to flourish,” said Melissa Segal, Head of Global Consumer Products for The Jim Henson Company. With more global initiatives on the horizon and expanded licensing opportunities, the 40th anniversary underscores the film’s enduring cultural impact.

LG And will.i.am Launch xboom Buds Plus And Buds Lite

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LG Electronics has reunited with nine-time Grammy winner will.i.am to introduce the latest additions to the xboom lineup: the LG xboom Buds Plus and LG xboom Buds Lite. Available now at LG.com and authorized retailers nationwide, Buds Plus retail for $179.99, while Buds Lite are priced at $69.99. The launch continues the “xboom by will.i.am” collaboration, with the artist serving as experiential architect for the brand.

Expertly tuned and approved by will.i.am, the new earbuds reflect his signature balanced warm tones and focus on immersive sound. The Buds Plus feature Active Noise Cancelling, 3D Spatial Audio, multi-point connection and up to 30 hours of total playtime, including 10 hours from the earbuds and 20 from the charging case. The UVnano+ charging case uses UV-C light to reduce bacteria on the earbud mesh, emphasizing a cleaner listening experience.

The Buds Plus also include a built-in Bluetooth transmitter for use with wired audio sources such as in-flight systems and treadmills, along with customizable EQ settings and an IPX4 water resistance rating. For everyday portability, the Buds Lite offer up to 35 hours of total playtime, 11.5 hours from the earbuds and 23.5 hours from the case, while retaining customizable EQ and IPX4 protection.

Guided by will.i.am’s belief that sound enriches experience, the expanded xboom lineup blends high-end audio performance with user-focused innovation. Both models are available now, extending LG’s commitment to delivering versatile listening solutions for music, travel and fitness.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale And Gibson Launch Oceanfront Guitar Experience

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This spring, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will debut the Gibson Guitar Experience, a resort-wide collaboration with iconic music brand Gibson, celebrating over 130 years. From April 10 through May 10, timed with Tortuga Music Festival, the takeover transforms the oceanfront resort into an immersive sound-meets-the-sea escape.  Select elements of the experience, including Burlock Coast Seafare & SpiritsThe Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale, and Sea La Vie Sundeck, are open to both non-hotel guests and hotel visitors, while guests reserving Club Lounge accommodations can enjoy additional amenities.

The collaboration supports Gibson Gives, the philanthropic division of Gibson supporting musicians worldwide, with proceeds from a custom-wrapped guitar benefiting the foundation.  The one-of-a-kind guitar features artwork by digital artist Kenneth Kudulis, who will be available to meet guests on April 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and April 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and provide print giveaways.   A silent auction will be available all month long for the opportunity to take home the Gibson memorabilia. 

Guests reserving Club Lounge will receive a Gibson x The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale guitar pick keepsake, and handcrafted dark chocolate guitar. The Club Lounge serves as the centerpiece featuring select Gibson guitars for guests to play, live music on select evenings; and culinary offerings inspired from Gibson’s hometown of Nashville including warm biscuits and jam, smoke-infused craft cocktails, Goldtop Hot Gulf Shrimp and Appalachian Spoon Bread Dumplings.

Evenings continue at Burlock Coast with Smoke & Strings, a four-course tasting menu with cocktail pairings ($199pp++) featuring items such as Southern BiscuitsRoasted Local Beets, Country-Fried Fish, Whiskey-Bathed Cowboy Steak and Smoked S’mores Tart; accompanied by cocktails including Rum Tide Punch and Tennessee Whiskey Wood Barrel Old Fashioned.

At The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale, sound becomes a pathway to relaxation through the Harmonic Heat Therapy ($380pp excluding gratuity), an 80-minute ritual combining infrared heat, sound immersion, and stress-relief massage.  Outdoors, the experience extends to Sea La Vie Sundeck, where live music on select Saturdays pairs with elevated poolside service and Gibson-inspired cocktails.

“Our partnership with Gibson allows us to bring a new dimension to the resort experience through the universal language of music,” said General Manager Jose Torres of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. “By pairing Gibson’s legendary craftsmanship and sound with our oceanfront setting, culinary offerings and restorative spa offerings, we’re creating a getaway that resonates well beyond the stay.”

“Gibson has always believed in the power of music to create meaningful moments, and our collaboration with The Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale brings that philosophy to life,” says Beth Heidt, Chief Marketing Officer at Gibson. “The Gibson Guitar Experience reflects the heart of our brand and invites guests to connect with music on a deeper level.”

Jung Kook Joins Hublot As Global Brand Ambassador For Big Bang Original Unico

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Hublot proudly welcomes Jung Kook, global artist, performer, and member of 21st century pop icons, BTS, as its new Global Brand Ambassador. The announcement has been celebrated in Seoul, marking the fusion of two worlds that have redefined what it means to be original: a watchmaker that reshaped modern horology and an artist who reshaped the sound and rhythm of a generation. From the first fusion of gold and rubber in 1980, to the shockwave of the Big Bang in 2005 and now the reinvention of the Big Bang Original Unico, Hublot has turned innovation into identity. Jung Kook mirrors that same spirit: blending genres, creativity, emotions and instinct. The collaboration is not a coincidence; it is a convergence. Both the artist and Hublot go back to their origins, carrying with them the unmistakable DNA that makes them stand apart.

On the partnership, Jung Kook stated: “Performing Dreamers at the FIFA World Cup in 2022, with Hublot as Official Timekeeper of the competition, was a moment where time and music felt connected. Now, collaborating with Hublot feels like that moment coming full circle. I’ve always admired the brand’s confidence, its craftsmanship, its way of creating its own path. 

Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO, affirmed: Jung Kook is one of the most influential artists of his generation. His precision, his passion and his willingness to push boundaries reflect the very spirit of Hublot. Just as we continuously rethink, refine and re-engineer our creations, from the fusion of materials to the mastery of our in-house movements, Jung Kook carries the spirit of evolution, always transforming, always original. We are honored to welcome him into the Hublot family.”

BEYOND APPEARANCES: THE INNER ESSENCE WITHIN JUNG KOOK X HUBLOT 
Just as Hublot has evolved through innovation and reinvention, both are defined by depth and substance. In the same way, Hublot reveals its essence through mastery of its manufacture, the fusion of materials and technologies and the creation of its in-house Unico movement.

In 2005, Hublot did more than introduce a watch: it ignited a modern revolution. With the Big Bang, Hublot took fusion and turned it into modern alchemy, created a new visual language and established a design that that has marked two decades, defining Hublot’s legacy and continuing to shape what’s next. Since 2013, the year of his debut on stage, Jung Kook has blended genres, creativity and emotions, shaping a voice unmistakably his own. Today, with the 2026 announcement of Jung Kook as Global Brand Ambassador, Hublot celebrates the meeting of an artist who redefines originality and a watch that has just returned to its own beginnings with the Big Bang Original Unico.

WHY THE BIG BANG ORIGINAL UNICO BELONGS ON JUNG KOOK‘S WRIST
The Big Bang Original Unico, launched in January 2026, carries twenty years of Hublot mastery, from the very first fusion in 1980, to the design revolution of 2005, to its reinvention in 2026. It is built layer by layer, just as the artist builds himself song by song. Jung Kook’s career reflects a journey defined by ongoing growth and artistic exploration. His work continues to evolve in ways that build on past achievements while opening new creative possibilities. In this context, the Big Bang Original Unico serves as a meaningful partner that aligns with his individual style and artistic direction—rather than a symbol of any singular narrative. This is why the Big Bang Original Unico is not just a timepiece on his wrist. It is an extension of his creative code.

HUBLOT

In 1980 and for the first time, a watch dared to put a gold case on a rubber strap, turning the luxury watch world upside down in the process. Named for the porthole-shaped bezel with its exposed screws, Hublot was born and with it, the Art of Fusion.

In 2005 the brand took this exercise in creative thinking to a new level with the Big Bang and its iconic design, size and layered construction case. That same year, Hublot received the Best Design award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Since then, spurred by this revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang has never stopped reinventing itself. The twenty-first century has its first watch Icon.

The concept of fusion is omnipresent, the guiding principle for every collection. Big Bang timepieces reshape the geometries of time; Classic Fusion balances boldness and restraint, while the Exceptional Timepieces overwrite expectations to create unprecedented horological objects. With its disruptive approach of challenging convention, Hublot’s DNA is transcribed in the Unico, Meca-10 and tourbillon in-house movements, to add another tier of meaning to the Art of Fusion.

Alchemy is ingrained into Hublot and not just at La Manufacture. Magic can take place on a football pitch, producing partnerships with major events (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Euro™). Sometimes it happens at a concert, a basketball match, an artistic performance or at a unique gastronomic experience with Hublot’s family of starred Chefs. And so, the Hublot Vibes come to life, through shared moments of exaltation amongst the Hublotistas, its very own community of proud Hublot owners. The Art of Fusion goes beyond the tangible. It is a way of being, the Hublot way of life.

THE UNIQUENESS OF THE HUBLOT UNICO IN-HOUSE MOVEMENT

Born in 2010, the Unico was the first movement entirely designed, developed and manufactured in-house by Hublot, marking a new era of independence, innovation and identity for the brand. Over the years, it has evolved into a bold and unmistakable signature of Hublot watchmaking, known for its robust and revolutionary chronograph design.

With standout features like a front-facing column wheel, silicon escapement, the Unico movement is a mechanical force that’s as visually striking as it is technically advanced. It’s not just what powers the watch, it’s what defines it.

Key features include an integrated flyback chronograph precise to 1/8th of a second for instant reset and restart, an accuracy of -2/+4 seconds per day, a 72-hour power reserve. The movement also holds five patented innovations, covering: dual oscillating clutches, an anti-trembling system, a “zero friction” ratchet wheel blocker, a fine balance wheel adjustment system and constant-pressure friction system for the minute counter all rigorously tested through Hublot’s Chronofiable® protocol to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and precision.