Platforms, businesses, and professionals in the music industry: Fair MusE workshop in Brussels
On 7 February 2025, from 09:00 to 13:00 (CET), Brussels will serve as the backdrop for the Economics and Business Workshop hosted by Fair MusE at the Fondation Universitaire Stichting. The workshop will provide a platform for discussing the transformation of the music industry in the digital era, focusing on key issues such as the growing influence of platforms, tensions and priorities that shape the perception of fairness, and innovative business models. Participants will also delve into the challenges posed by technological advancements, such as Generative AI, and the evolving economic and regulatory landscape of the music sector.
The morning event will open with an exploration of how the music industry’s value networks have shifted over the past two decades. Valdy Wiratama (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) will present insights into how online platforms have reconfigured the production, distribution, and economic relationships within the sector. This reconfiguration, driven by digital platforms, continues to raise questions on fairness within the music ecosystem.
Building on this foundation, Antonios Vlassis and Marina Rossato Fernandes (Université de Liège) will share findings from a pan-European survey and interviews with music professionals. Their presentation will delve into how fairness is perceived across different industry players, highlighting the tensions and priorities that shape these perceptions in an increasingly platform-based economy. These insights will shed light on the evolving understanding for creators and other stakeholders.
Adelaida Afilipoaie (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) will then turn the focus to the innovative business models in and around music platforms. Her analysis will examine key aspects such as platform ownership, revenue structures, and recommender systems. Drawing from detailed case studies, this session will provide a nuanced understanding of how the current business models shape the economic environment for creators and consumers alike.
The workshop will also tackle pressing infrastructure challenges within the music industry. Allen Bargfrede (Verifi Media) will address critical issues such as metadata management, royalty tracking, and fraud, which are essential for ensuring transparency and fairness. Additionally, his presentation will explore the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on music creation and distribution, offering perspectives on how the industry can adapt to the opportunities and challenges posed by this rapidly advancing technology.
The event will be a unique opportunity for participants to engage in dynamic discussions, with each presentation followed by an interactive Q&A session. Attendees will have the chance to exchange ideas and perspectives on some of the most urgent topics affecting the music ecosystem today. A networking lunch will provide further opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.
For more details and registration, visit the following link.
