TikTok has struck a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to “make songs from SME’s roster of global superstars and exciting emerging artists widely available across the TikTok app”.
The news marks the first time that TikTok has announced a licensing agreement with one of the three major recorded music companies.
Earlier this year, TikTok announced global licensing agreements with two giants of the independent music world, in Merlin and Paris-based Believe.
Today (November 2), it’s the turn of Sony Music to strike a deal with TikTok, which the platform says will give the TikTok creator community “access to sound clips from Sony Music’s massive catalog of current hits, cutting edge new releases, emerging favorites, iconic classics and deep cuts from every genre of music for use in their TikTok content”
In a new online post, TikTok added: “TikTok and Sony Music will work together to support greater levels of TikTok user personalization and creativity on the platform, and drive new and forward-looking opportunities for fan engagement with SME’s artists and music.”
“TikTok is a leader in this space and we are pleased to be partnering with them to drive music discovery, expand opportunities for creativity and support artist careers.”
Dennis Kooker, Sony Music
Furthermore, TikTok says it will “partner with Sony Music in promoting artists on the platform”.
Dennis Kooker, President, Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “Short form video clips have developed into an exciting new part of the music ecosystem that contribute to the overall growth of music and the way fans experience it.
“TikTok is a leader in this space and we are pleased to be partnering with them to drive music discovery, expand opportunities for creativity and support artist careers.”
Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music for TikTok, added: “We are thrilled to enter in to this agreement with Sony Music so that we can continue to work together to connect the incredible roster of Sony artists in the US and across the globe to new audiences and harness the power of TikTok.
“Especially during this time when the artist community is challenged to find new ways to reach fans with their music, we are committed to working together to do just that.”Music Business Worldwide
