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Warner Chappell extends strategic joint venture with Lilly Raye Music

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Warner Chappell extends strategic joint venture with Lilly Raye Music

Warner Chappell Music has extended its strategic joint venture partnership with Lilly Raye Music, the management company and publisher run by founder Edward Matthew and A&R Manager Justin Martinez.

The partnership, established in 2020 and expanded in 2023, is focused on “supporting collaborations between creatives” across Asia, Europe, and the US.

According to WCM, the partnership is stepping up its activity in Germany and the Netherlands, with “a sharp focus” on the dance and electronic scenes, and building its “A&R firepower” in the UK to support the careers of “top-tier talent” in that market.

Elsewhere in the world, WCM said that the JV grew its presence in Asia “by 40%, as a direct result of strategic collaborations and a market-specific focus, including a Number One Billboard World Digital Song Sales single for LESSERAFIM’s Unforgiven, and a Number One Billboard Japan Hot 100 single with IVE’s Wave“.

WCM has highlighted various other successes for the partnership, including Grammy recognition for its work on Summer Walker’s CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP and Janelle Monáe’s The Age Of Pleasure, receiving a total of three nominations for Progressive R&B Album, Best R&B Album, and Album of the Year.

The JV delivered 10 No.1 singles in the Swedish market over the last three years with the likes of Asme, Molly Sandén, and Saretti. Lilly Raye said it has also recently hired additional A&R support “to keep evolving its Swedish roster”.

Other successes include achieving “major global sync placements,” including a campaign featuring Jennie of BLACKPINK with Apple’s Beats by Dre, and a fashion campaign with ILLIT for Acne Studios.

Elsewhere, WCM highlighted the JV’s artist collaborations, “supporting the likes of BANKS, Doechii, GloRilla, and FLO in creating bold, genre-pushing records”.

The JV has also been focused on connecting creatives in Atlanta and Stockholm, with projects involving producer Mike WiLL Made-It, Dababy, and Swae Lee.

WCM said that the JV has also secured recognition for its rising talent, with Emelie Walcott earning a nomination at the Denniz Pop Awards in Sweden for Rookie Songwriter of the Year, “while several other promising writers are coming through on the roster”.

WCM added that the Lilly Raye management team also “continues to make waves behind the scenes”, contributing to “breakout success” for artists such as Ayra Starr, Cian Ducrot, RAYE and Renee Rapp.

“Connecting creative talent across three continents is as exhilarating and inspirational as ever, and Warner Chappell’s combination of global firepower, local knowledge and cultural curiosity makes it an essential partner for us.”

Edward Matthew and Justin Martinez

Edward Matthew and Justin Martinez said: “We’re delighted to renew our deal with Warner Chappell, which has expanded so much in scope over the past few years.

“Connecting creative talent across three continents is as exhilarating and inspirational as ever, and Warner Chappell’s combination of global firepower, local knowledge and cultural curiosity makes it an essential partner for us.”

“I’m so pleased that we’re renewing our collaboration with Edward, Justin and the whole Lilly Raye crew.”

Lars Karlsson, Warner Chappell Music Nordics

Lars Karlsson, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music Nordics, added: “I’m so pleased that we’re renewing our collaboration with Edward, Justin and the whole Lilly Raye crew.

“They bring a passion and an energy to their work that is unrivalled, and they have an uncanny ability to spot talent and partner compatible creatives together.”

“We’ve built a really solid relationship with Edward and Justin over the past few years. I trust their A&R instincts and their strategic nous.”

Guy Moot, Warner Chappell Music

Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, said: “We’ve built a really solid relationship with Edward and Justin over the past few years. I trust their A&R instincts and their strategic nous.

“They have an infectious enthusiasm for forging cultural connections between writers and producers from different parts of the world.

“The amazing results speak for themselves, so I’m excited that we’re extending our partnership.”Music Business Worldwide

From Espresso to Eco-Brick: How Coffee Waste Fuels 3D-Printed Design

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From Espresso to Eco-Brick: How Coffee Waste Fuels 3D-Printed Design

For centuries, people used coffee grounds to read the future. At I’mnovation-Hub, we prefer science over superstition—but we also believe that a more sustainable future could well lie in the coffee grounds we discard each morning. That is the thinking behind a new line of research from the University of Washington, where scientists are exploring how to turn organic waste into biodegradable packaging and new building materials. The key ingredient? Mycelium—the underground root-like structure of fungi.

Mycelium is a dense network of fungal threads that grows naturally beneath the soil. When fed with organic waste—such as sawdust, cardboard, or coffee grounds—it forms lightweight, fibrous structures that, once dried, behave like polystyrene or even leather. What was once a biological curiosity is now a rising star in the search for sustainable alternatives to plastics and synthetic foams, thanks to its low carbon footprint and natural biodegradability.

From mushroom to material: merging mycelium with 3D printing

At the University of Washington’s Center for Digital Fabrication, researchers have taken this concept a step further by integrating mycelium with 3D printing. Unlike conventional techniques that rely on rigid moulds to shape fungal growth, this method prints flexible scaffolds that fungi can colonise, resulting in compostable components with tailored geometries.

The process begins with a gel-like ink that includes nutrients and organic waste—mainly coffee grounds and rice flour. This printed structure guides the growth of the fungi, which spread along the patterned lines. Within five days, the mycelium takes over the entire form, which is then dried to halt further growth and lock in its final shape.

This method offers a scalable and adaptable way to produce biodegradable objects—and it could even enable localised manufacturing. Any community with access to organic waste and a basic 3D printer could produce sustainable materials on demand. And once the item has served its purpose, it can be safely composted or left to biodegrade.

What makes 3D-printed mycelium especially compelling is its versatility. Depending on the fungus strain and the chosen substrate, the resulting materials can be rigid, elastic or moisture-resistant. This adaptability opens doors for applications across packaging, industrial design, construction—and even fashion. Some of the prototypes include protective packaging for glassware and decorative vases.

 


 

Mycotecture: the precedent set by the construction industry​

While this new research advances additive manufacturing, the use of mycelium as a construction material has a longer history. In architecture, the concept of “mycotecture” has inspired experimental designs where fungi replace bricks. These “living bricks” are grown, not fired, using agricultural waste such as corn husks or hemp stalks.

One standout example is the work of architect Phil Ross, a pioneer in fungal-based building systems. In partnership with various institutions, he has developed interlocking blocks suitable for temporary shelters, acoustic panels or decorative features. As outlined in this article, mycelium holds promise not only as a plastic alternative but as a low-impact building solution in a sector known for heavy resource use.

Beyond its ecological credentials, mycelium is easy to grow, requires little energy, and can adapt to diverse environments without extensive infrastructure. Its main drawbacks? Growth takes time—and the final product is typically less durable than traditional materials.

​This bench is a 3D-printed work of art

Of course, 3D printing continues to evolve far beyond fungi. Across sectors, additive manufacturing is enabling innovative shapes and structures for buildings and public furniture. One eye-catching example, unrelated to mycelium, is a sculptural bench made using contour crafting with cement.

Thanks to this technique, the bench features a sweeping, organic design that blurs the line between functional furniture and public art. Installed in the courtyard of Seville’s Puerta Barqueta housing estate, the piece was printed in just twenty minutes and set overnight before being placed in its final location the next day.

 

 

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What Leaders Actually Want to See

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What Leaders Actually Want to See

Learn the key takeaways from my knowledge session on Measuring What Matters — all in just 7 minutes.

In my work with global innovation teams, I often come across the same question, phrased a dozen different ways: How do we measure innovation in a way that actually means something to leadership? 

It’s one of the most persistent challenges in our field. And it’s easy to see why. 

Innovation doesn’t move at the same pace as quarterly results. It’s unpredictable by nature. Yet more and more, leaders are asking innovation teams to justify their existence—not by effort or engagement, but by outcomes. 

To meet this demand, innovation leaders need to rethink how they measure, communicate, and structure their activities. It’s not just about tracking what’s been done—it’s about showing where things are headed, and why it matters. 

The Real Reason Innovation Metrics Fail 

Many innovation teams are tracking the wrong things. They’re measuring how many ideas were submitted or how many people got involved. While those stats may show activity, they don’t help leaders make decisions about resources, priorities, or strategic direction. 

What causes this disconnect? 

  • Innovation takes time, but leadership often wants fast feedback 
  • Teams are unsure what kind of results to aim for—or when to expect them 
  • Metrics vary wildly across departments, creating confusion 
  • There’s no shared language between innovation and leadership 

The result is a frustrating misalignment. Innovators feel they’re working on meaningful things. Leaders don’t see the value. And programs stagnate. 

What Leaders Actually Want 

To close this gap, it helps to flip the perspective. Rather than asking what metrics matter to you as an innovation team, ask: What information would help leadership make better decisions about innovation? 

In most cases, they want clarity on: 

  • What projects are being worked on 
  • When results are expected 
  • What the potential impact is—financial, strategic, operational 
  • Whether this is the best use of people and budget 
  • How this aligns with the company’s direction 

This shift—from tracking activity to demonstrating value—is at the heart of credible innovation measurement. 

The Innovation Portfolio: A Smarter Structure 

One of the most effective ways to measure innovation impact is to treat it as a portfolio. Just like a financial portfolio, your innovation portfolio should be diversified, managed, and continuously assessed. 

You’ll want to categorize initiatives by time horizon: 

  • Horizon 1: Incremental improvements to existing products, services, or processes 
  • Horizon 2: Adjacent innovations that expand into new markets or categories 
  • Horizon 3: Transformational bets that could redefine your business model 

Then, layer in meaningful metrics: 

  • Forecast value across time horizons 
  • Risk exposure across the portfolio 
  • Implementation rates and time-to-value 
  • Uptake and validation from users or early adopters 

This kind of structure enables leadership to see not just what’s happening—but why it matters. 

Metrics That Matter (and Why) 

If you’re unsure which KPIs or KRIs to focus on, start with this list—based on innovation accounting principles and what I’ve seen work across organizations: 

Engagement & Culture 

  • % of workforce actively contributing to innovation 
  • Number of campaigns or channels used 
  • Topics covered across strategic areas 
  • Participation across departments or geographies 
  • Hours invested in training or capability-building 

Portfolio Health 

  • Forecasted value of active innovation pipeline 
  • Risk distribution across Horizon 1/2/3 projects 
  • Average time from idea to first customer validation 
  • # of ideas rejected due to misalignment or low potential 
  • Implementation rate over time 

Business Impact 

  • Revenue generated or cost savings delivered
  • Expected value realized by year (e.g. $5M by FY26) 
  • Sustainability/ESG metrics where applicable 
  • Performance trends by business unit or vertical 

Not all of these need to be adopted at once. But even a few well-chosen metrics—tracked consistently—can make innovation efforts more visible and valuable. 

Input Throughput Output
# of ideas or generic submission types Speed of testing hypotheses (in days, months, years) # or ration of triages, evaluated and/or implemented ideas to total ideas
# of innovation activities or initiatives (per category, if it applies) Speed of new capability acquisition (in days, months, years) Quantifiable growth (ROI, profit, market share, etc.)
# of new outside-in data and knowledge sources (including tacit and explicit; free or subscription-based) # or ratio of total employees and leaders well-versed in ideation, strategy, partnering, or innovation project development Quantifiable change in behavior or attitude (as per culture survey)
# of new internal insights, resources, and competencies (can also be measured for suppliers, collaborators, etc.) New tools and methods adopted Number of new partners or collaborators; number of new internal users
Present value of ideas Time to profit or to market (in days, months, years) Rate of innovation diffusion, rate of transformation and renewal, IP created
  Engagement cycle analysis (Awareness, Understanding, Action, Reaction, Advocacy) Sustainability impact or benefits
  Brand awareness (for external programs) Cost savings
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Molluscs May Hold the Secret to More Sustainable Concrete

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Molluscs May Hold the Secret to More Sustainable Concrete

Each year, global cement production releases more than two and a half billion tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere. This immense carbon footprint makes concrete one of the biggest hurdles in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Now, researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technology that could help turn the tide: a carbon-negative building material that not only avoids emissions but also captures CO₂ from the air—while generating hydrogen as a valuable by-product. The method, which mimics the shell-forming process of molluscs, produces a new kind of sand that could form the foundation for greener concrete.

Producing sand for sustainable concrete—and clean energy

To create this innovative carbon-negative material, the researchers introduced electrodes into seawater and applied a low-voltage electric current. This current splits water molecules, releasing hydrogen and generating hydroxide ions. Simultaneously, CO₂ is injected into the seawater, altering its chemical composition and increasing the concentration of bicarbonate ions.

These hydroxide and bicarbonate ions then react with other dissolved minerals naturally found in seawater, such as calcium and magnesium. The result is the formation of solid compounds—mainly calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Calcium carbonate acts as a direct carbon sink by locking away CO₂ in its crystal structure, while magnesium hydroxide can continue to absorb carbon through further chemical reactions.

According to the researchers, this approach resembles the way molluscs and corals form their shells, using biological energy to transform dissolved ions into calcium carbonate. In this case, the team has swapped biological energy for electricity and boosted mineral formation by adding CO₂ to speed up the process.

Crucially, when powered by renewable energy, the system also produces green hydrogen as a by-product—a clean fuel with a growing role in sectors such as transport, chemicals and power generation. This dual benefit positions the technology as a tool not only for reducing emissions but also for generating renewable energy.

Reducing reliance on sand mining

As well as tapping into abundant natural resources, the technique offers an alternative to intensive sand mining—a growing environmental concern worldwide.

Cement, concrete, paints and plasters typically rely on minerals rich in calcium and magnesium, which are commonly sourced by extracting sand and aggregates. Today, these materials are mined from mountains, rivers, coastlines and even the seabed—practices that are increasingly unsustainable.

Benefits and potential applications

The material developed by the Northwestern team offers a series of advantages that could make it a game-changer for the construction sector:

  • Lower emissions: By capturing more CO₂ than it emits, the process actively contributes to efforts to combat climate change.
  • Renewable inputs: It uses seawater and atmospheric CO₂—resources that are practically limitless—ensuring long-term environmental viability.
  • Hydrogen co-production: The generation of hydrogen adds further value, opening up additional pathways for clean energy development.
  • Versatility: The material can be adapted for a wide range of applications, from structural concrete to architectural finishes and decorative features.

Taken together, these qualities make it a strong candidate for a sector that is rapidly shifting toward more circular and sustainable building practices.

The challenges of large-scale adoption

Despite its potential, the material still faces hurdles before it can be rolled out at scale:

  • Industrial scalability: Moving from lab to large-scale production will require investment, pilot testing and process optimisation.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Its economic viability compared with conventional alternatives will need to be assessed across various markets.
  • Regulatory approval: Like all new building materials, it must meet stringent safety and performance standards before entering the mainstream.

Nonetheless, the team at Northwestern is optimistic. With support from research institutions, investors and policymakers, they believe this new material could be integrated into commercial construction over time.

Turning CO₂ into a resource

Northwestern University’s approach marks a significant step forward in rethinking how we build. By turning CO₂ from a pollutant into a raw material, it points the way towards infrastructure that is not just durable and functional, but also an ally in tackling climate change.

If you are interested in other ways CO₂ is being repurposed as a resource, take a look at our recent article on the subject. And if you would like to stay up to date on the latest breakthroughs in science and technology, you can subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page.

 

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Smartphone screens may soon help monitor your hydration levels

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Smartphone screens may soon help monitor your hydration levels

As any wellness expert will tell you, if you want to avoid becoming dangerously dehydrated, you have to drink before you start feeling thirsty. So, how do you know when to do so? According to a new study, a simple tap of your smartphone screen may soon provide the answer.

First of all, there are already wearable sweat-analyzing devices – including temporary tattoos – that let people know when their body’s water levels are getting low.

Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won’t bother taking. This is particularly true of people who aren’t often in situations where there’s a substantial risk of dehydration, or who just aren’t all that tech-savvy.

With this problem in mind, Prof. Tareq Al-Naffouri and colleagues at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) looked to the type of capacitive sensors that are already incorporated into smartphone touchscreens.

It turns out that such sensors don’t just detect the electrical charge in the skin of a user’s fingertip, they’re also capable of measuring changes in the skin’s capacitance, which is its ability to store an electrical charge. And it was already known that the lower a person’s hydration levels, the lower their skin capacitance.

Al-Naffouri’s team thus developed a machine-learning algorithm that converts measured changes in skin capacitance to one of five corresponding levels of hydration. The scientists then tested the technology on a total of 45 volunteers. All of the individuals simply pressed their fingertip pads to a smartphone-like capacitive sensing board, along with providing basic information such as their weight and gender.

Thirty-five of the people were Muslims in the month-long process of fasting for Ramadan, who were tested at regular intervals five times a day. The other 10 were athletes, who were tested before and after sessions of intense physical activity.

When compared to traditional hydration-monitoring methods, the new system proved to be 87% accurate with the fasting individuals and 92% accurate with the athletes. Those figures should improve as the technology is developed further, and ultimately incorporated into an app.

“We envision real-time, everyday, user-friendly hydration monitoring, where users simply place their finger on their smartphone screen to assess their hydration status,” says team member Soumia Siyoucef.

The research is described in a paper that was recently published in IEEE Sensors Journal.

Source: KAUST

Germany’s Merz backs Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes on Russia

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Germany’s Merz backs Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes on Russia

Stay informed with free updates

Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed Ukrainian military strikes deep into Russian territory, following his earlier commitment to supply Kyiv with German long-range missiles.

Germany, Britain, France and the US have removed all range restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine, Merz said on Monday.

Paris, London and Washington have supplied long-range missiles to Kyiv and have already allowed strikes in Russian territory.

But Merz’s stance contrasts with that of his Social Democratic predecessor Olaf Scholz, whom he replaced this month.

The former chancellor repeatedly rejected pleas from Kyiv and its allies to supply the Ukrainian armed forces with German Taurus missiles, which have an intelligent warhead system that can inflict huge damage to structures such as bridges and bunkers. 

While Merz has decided to stop disclosing weapon deliveries since taking office — a stance in line with the “strategic ambiguity” approach of French President Emmanuel Macron — he had previously said he favoured deliveries of Taurus missiles to Kyiv if they were co-ordinated with European allies.

“There is no longer any range restriction on weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, nor by the Americans,” Merz said at a conference in Berlin on Monday.

He added: “This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example by attacking military positions in Russia. It couldn’t do that until some time ago, it did do that with very few exceptions. [Ukraine] can do that now. In jargon we call this long range fire.”

The centre-right chancellor made his comments after three days of Russian air attacks on Ukraine that involved more than 1,000 drone and missile strikes.

Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, said that decisions to give Ukraine longer-range missiles were “potentially dangerous” and could frustrate “attempts to reach a settlement” in Ukraine, according to state newswire Tass.

The 500km-plus range of the Taurus cruise missile is further than the Storm Shadows and Scalps supplied by the British and French and the Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) provided by the US.

Those British, French and American missiles were first used against military targets inside Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions in November, when the respective governments quietly lifted geographical restrictions on their use.

Separately, Kyiv has also developed its own Neptune long-range missiles, as well as drones that target Russian territory.

Merz’s comments come as European leaders are racing to come up with a plan to increase pressure on Moscow, after US President Donald Trump signalled he is inclined to leave them to sort the conflict among themselves.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Merz in Aachen in western Germany on Thursday, where EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen is receiving the Charlemagne prize.

British officials said Starmer would talk to Merz about increasing economic pressure on Russia and ensuring Ukraine has the financial and military support it needs to maintain the fight.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to travel to Berlin on Wednesday, according to Der Spiegel.

With Washington’s commitment to Ukraine’s security seemingly waning, the French, British and German leaders are increasingly divided over how much military support can be provided to Ukraine after the war.

France and the UK, the two instigators of a so-called “coalition of the willing”, have insisted that an initial plan of deploying troops on the ground in Ukraine is still feasible.

Other nations, including Germany, are more sceptical, since the US remains opposed to the idea and has not promised the security “backstop” previously sought by European powers for such a force.

Starmer and Macron continue to back the troops proposal, people involved in the negotiations said, so as to keep Europe involved in the ceasefire talks and maintain Ukrainian morale, as well as demonstrating their commitment to Trump.

One European official said the troops plan was “dead”, since it was “preposterous without the help of Trump, and he’s not willing to provide it”.

But a French diplomat countered that the reports of the proposal’s death were “not only greatly exaggerated” but also “totally untrue”, adding that the countries were still working on the plans “at normal pace”.

Additional reporting by Leila Abboud in Paris and Max Seddon in Berlin

Talgo Q1 2025 slides: Revenue and margins decline, guidance put on hold

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Talgo Q1 2025 slides: Revenue and margins decline, guidance put on hold

Talgo Q1 2025 slides: Revenue and margins decline, guidance put on hold

EU plans to ‘fast track’ trade talks with US amid tariff fight

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EU plans to ‘fast track’ trade talks with US amid tariff fight

The European Union said it agreed to accelerate negotiations with the US to avoid a transatlantic trade war, signaling a more amicable approach just days after President Donald Trump criticized the bloc for taking advantage of the US and slow-walking talks. 

“There’s now a new impetus for the negotiations,” Paula Pinho, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, told reporters on Monday, a day after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with Trump by phone. “They agreed both to fast track the trade negotiations and to stay in close contact.”

Following the call, Trump extended the deadline to hit the EU with 50% tariffs by more than a month to July 9 to allow for more negotiations. “We had a very nice call and I agreed to move it,” Trump told reporters Sunday.  

Talks so far have been beset with a multitude of problems, with no clear path to finding a middle ground that will appease them both. The Europeans have complained that it’s not clear what the US wants or even who speaks for the American president, and the US has said the EU unfairly targets US companies with lawsuits and regulations. 

The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, was expected to speak with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday. EU ambassadors were also scheduled to hold a last-minute meeting on Monday to discuss the latest developments with the commission.

US and European equity-index futures climbed along with Asian stocks on Monday. The dollar fluctuated after falling to its lowest level since December 2023.

Trump’s 50% tariff threat would hit $321 billion worth of US-EU goods trade, lowering US gross domestic product by close to 0.6% and boosting prices by more than 0.3%, according to Bloomberg Economics calculations.

After an initial exchange of papers, the US last week rejected a proposal sent by the commission, which handles trade matters on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states. The EU had offered to jointly remove tariffs on industrial goods, to boost access for some American agricultural products and to co-develop AI data centers, Bloomberg reported.  

While the EU has said its priority is to find a negotiated solution with the US, it’s also been preparing to retaliate if necessary.

The EU has approved tariffs on €21 billion ($23.9 billion) of US goods in response to Trump’s metals levies that can be quickly implemented. They target politically sensitive American states and include products such as soybeans from Louisiana, home to House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as agricultural products, poultry and motorcycles.   

The bloc is also preparing an additional list of tariffs on €95 billion of American products. Those measures, which are in response to Trump’s “reciprocal” levies and automotive duties would target industrial goods including Boeing Co. aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon. 

Some member states have been urging cool heads as the tariff deadline nears. German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the EU and US need “to calm down” ahead of the talks. 

“We need to find common ground. That must be the goal,” Reiche said at a Handelsblatt event in Heilbronn on Monday. At the same time, the US must understand that tariffs also hurt them, she said. “There are still six weeks left to find a solution,” said Reiche.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

From HYBE’s reported expansion plans to Martin Lorentzon’s Spotify stock cash-outs… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

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From HYBE’s reported expansion plans to Martin Lorentzon’s Spotify stock cash-outs… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s weekly round-up – where we make sure you caught the five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days. MBW’s round-up is supported by Centtrip, which helps over 500 of the world’s best-selling artists maximize their income and reduce their touring costs.

This week we got some interesting Spotify-related news, with the streaming service revealing that it has seen a significant uptick in conversions to paid subscriptions on Apple devices, ever since Apple was ordered by a court order to allow third-party app developers to direct users to payment systems outside the Apple Store.

Also in Spotify news, regulatory filings showed that company co-founder Martin Lorentzon sold a whopping $666 million of his Spotify shares in the space of a week.

We also got word this week that Universal Music Group‘s Latin artist services company Global Talent Services (GTS) has acquired Latin music management company RLM (Rosa Laguarrige Management), which will be integrated into GTS.

Elsewhere, a news report out of South Korea pointed to the possible next target of K-pop giant HYBE‘s global expansion: India.

And closer to home, MBW revealed its new Music Business Jobs platform, connecting industry professionals with top career opportunities.

Here’s what happened this week…

TT News Agency / Alamy

1) MARTIN LORENTZON JUST CASHED OUT $666M WORTH OF SPOTIFY STOCK IN LESS THAN A WEEK

Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon has offloaded a mountain of shares in the streaming giant.

On Wednesday, May 21, Lorentzon sold 1 million shares at Tuesday’s closing price of $658.60 per share, raising a total of $658.6 million. That’s right: nearly $659 million in ONE GO.

The sale was executed through his holding company Rosello Co. Ltd, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, spotted by MBW.

The divestment came just five days after Lorentzon unloaded another 11,275 shares for $7.3 million on Friday (May 16), which was filed with the SEC under his full name, Sven Hans Martin Lorentzon, instead of his holding company Rosello…

2) UNIVERSAL’S GTS ACQUIRES LATIN MUSIC MANAGEMENT COMPANY RLM

Universal Music Group-owned Latin artist services agency Global Talent Services (GTS) has acquired prominent Latin music management company RLM (Rosa Lagarrigue Management).

GTS said on Monday (May 19) that since RLM’s founding in 1980, the Spain-headquartered management company “has been a benchmark in the development of artistic talent worldwide”.

Led by founder Rosa Lagarrigue, the company has worked with artists like Miguel Bosé, Mecano, Alejandro Sanz, Raphael, Sara Baras, Rozalén, and Marlena, among others.

Lagarrigue will join the GTS leadership as Global Executive Vice President, alongside the RLM team, which will be integrated into the company…

Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock

3) SPOTIFY SAYS IOS PAYMENT RULE CHANGE BOOSTED PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTIONS

Spotify said its iOS app update, approved by Apple earlier this month, drove “a significant increase” in conversions from free to Premium subscriptions.

On May 2, Spotify said Apple approved its app updated in the US, a move that was prompted by a federal court ruling that found Apple in “willful violation” of a previous injunction against its App store practices.

Spotify users on Apple devices are now able to use other payment options beyond Apple Pay. Previously, apps were barred from mentioning alternative payment options or indicating that external payments might be less secure.

Spotify is among the first to update its app, the result of a legal battle that began with Epic Games’ 2020 lawsuit challenging Apple‘s app distribution policies…

Piotr Swat/Shutterstock

4) HYBE REPORTEDLY EYEING EXPANSION INTO INDIA – COULD A LOCAL ACQUISITION BE ITS ROUTE INTO THE EMERGING MARKET?

HYBE is becoming a truly global entertainment giant.

Over the past few years, the South Korea-born K-Pop firm has expanded into Japan, followed by the United States and, most recently, Latin America.

But the company’s global ambitions clearly don’t stop there. The big question is, where in the world is HYBE planning to expand to next?

The answer may have arrived via a recent story published by South Korean news agency Yonhap, which, citing sources in the investment community, reported that HYBE is planning to establish an office in Mumbai, India…

5) HIRING? TRY MUSIC BUSINESS WORLDWIDE’S ALL-NEW JOBS PLATFORM…

Music Business Worldwide is delighted to unveil our all-new Music Business Jobs platform, connecting industry professionals with top career opportunities.

Music Business Jobs offers unparalleled reach and effectiveness for companies hiring talent, providing access to MBW’s global audience of savvy executives across all industry sectors.

Recruiters can purchase a Basic listing or boost their role’s visibility with additional high-impact promotion across MBW’s website, emails, and social channels.

MBW founder Tim Ingham said: “Music Business Jobs is simply the most powerful solution available for music companies looking to connect with exceptional executive talent.

“We’ve custom-built an intelligent platform to draw the eyeballs and interest of brilliant people who are serious about the music business.

“MBW’s readers aren’t casual observers – they’re the executives driving the global industry forward…”

MBW’s Weekly Round-Up is supported by Centtrip, which helps over 500 of the world’s best-selling artists maximise their income and reduce their touring costs.Music Business Worldwide

How to Travel on a Budget in 2025

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How to Travel on a Budget in 2025

Travel has become really expensive. Post-COVID, the entire world seems to be traveling again and prices just keep rising. I am astonished at how high they have gotten. But it’s a product of rising costs and out-of-control demand. Everyone just wants to travel. We’re all looking for an escape.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad. Airfare has started to go down again, there are more deal-finding websites online, free walking tours in more cities, and more opportunities to bypass the traditional travel infrastructure and connect directly into the local way of life via the sharing economy.

As we navigate the post-COVID world of high prices, I want to share some tips and tricks on how to travel on a budget this year!
 

1. Change Your Mindset

Changing your mindset might not be a traditional budget tip, but it’s important nonetheless. Constantly remind yourself that travel is possible while taking concrete steps to make it a reality. Action begets action — even if it’s just baby steps.

Start with a “yes, I can” mindset. Don’t think “I can’t travel” — think “What’s one thing I can do today to make my trip closer to reality?”

Life is a mental game. Do one thing every day that gets you closer to your trip and you’ll find yourself building unstoppable momentum.
 

2. Come Up with a Savings Plan

Unless you’re Bill Gates, we all need to save more money. But how do you do that? While life is expensive, I do believe there are always ways to save a little more. There’s always something you can cut. A little bit of savings adds up a lot over time.

First, start by tracking your spending. Write down everything you spend money on for a month. Groceries, rent, eating out, Netflix — everything. You can’t figure out where to save if you don’t know where your money is going.

Next, start a savings account specifically for travel. That way, you’ll have a dedicated space for your travel fund and you can watch it grow. That progress will keep you motivated. Even if it’s just a few dollars a week, every penny counts. The more you save, the more you want to save.

Finally, start cutting. Maybe it’s going to Starbucks, maybe it’s saving on gas by carpooling to work or cutting back on eating out. We all have things we can cut. Find yours.

Here are some posts on how to save money:

 

3. Score a Flight Deal

One of the things that people always tell me holds them back from traveling more is the cost of flights. But, let me tell you, there are a lot of deals right now.

All the airlines are trying to fill planes and are offering a lot of deals for summer and fall travel right now. After all, they need to make up for a lost year and are desperate to get people on planes.

The key to finding a cheap flight is to be flexible with your dates and your destination. If you have your heart set on “Paris in June” you’ll be forced to pay whatever the flight costs. But, if you open that up to “France in the summer” — or even “Europe in the summer” you’ll be able to find much cheaper flights since you’ll have a lot more wiggle room to test dates and destinations.

I like to use Google Flights and Skyscanner to browse my options. I type in my home city and then pick “everywhere” as my destination. I then base my plans around where I can fly to for the least amount of money.

Both websites also let you sign up for price alerts so you’ll get an email if the price for your ideal trip happens to drop.

And if you really want to find amazing flight deals, consider joining a flight deal site like Going. It’s the best website for finding flight deals from the US and has saved me a fortune over the years. It’s not free, but new users can get 20% off a Premium membership with the code NOMADICMATT20.

Other helpful flight deal sites are:

  • The Flight Deal – Incredible deals for flights all around the world.
  • Secret Flying – Another site with amazing flight deals from around the globe (they find a lot of Asia/Africa/South America deals not found elsewhere).

 

4. Get Points!

Collecting points and miles is a great way to travel on a budget. By getting point-yielding credit cards and using a few simple techniques, you can get hundreds of thousands of miles — without any additional spending (you can even earn points just by paying your rent!). These points can then be cashed in for free flights, free hotel stays, and other travel rewards.

I’ve earned countless free flights, upgrades, and hotel stays from my points and miles. By optimizing my spending and paying attention to which cards earn the most points where, I’ve saved thousands of dollars — and you can too!

Here are some resources to help you begin:

Even if you aren’t American, you still have options, as points and miles have gone global:

Once you have points, use platforms like point.me (for flights) and Awayz (for hotels) to manage them. These platforms help you maximize your points and miles so you earn more free flights and hotel stays.
 

5. Use the Sharing Economy

A group of budget backpackers relaxing at a pool in a hostel in Central AmericaA group of budget backpackers relaxing at a pool in a hostel in Central America
The sharing economy has led to a plethora of new money-saving and community-building platforms that have made travel even more affordable, personal, and accessible. It’s never been easier to get off the tourist trail, connect with locals, and experience their pace of life. I live by these websites when I travel! You should too.

Here are some of the best sharing economy sites to help you get started:

  • Trusted Housesitters – The most comprehensive website to find house-sitting gigs. You watch a place on vacation while the homeowner is on vacation.
  • EatWith – Allows you to eat home-cooked meals with locals (it’s the Airbnb of food). It always leads to interesting encounters, so it’s one of my favorite things to do.
  • BlaBlaCar – A ridesharing app that pairs riders with verified locals who have a spare seat in their car.
  • RVShare – Allows you to rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.

 

6. Find the Free!

The world is awash with amazing free travel resources (like this website) that can help you travel on a budget. No matter where you are going, there’s probably a blog post on what to do and see there for free or cheaply. Someone has been there and they’ve written about it! Make the best use of all of them to help you plan your trip.

My favorite search term is “free things to do in X.” You’ll always get a result!

Additionally, don’t be afraid to walk into a hostel — even if you aren’t staying there — and ask them what to do for cheap. Their clientele is budget-sensitive, so they always know what to do and where to go for little money.

Local tourism boards will also have tons of info on free things to do as well (more on that below).
 

7. Stick to Public Transportation

Old tuk-tuks parked together in Sri LankaOld tuk-tuks parked together in Sri Lanka
If you’re on a budget, skip the taxis and rideshares like Lyft or Uber. Unless you can lower your cost by sharing a ride with other passengers, public transportation is going to be the most cost-effective way to get around. Not only will it save you money but you’ll get to see how the locals travel too.

Google Maps usually can give you a basic overview of the public transportation options and prices available. You can find information about day passes and/or multi-day passes from your local hostel/hotel staff (as well as from local tourism offices). For cheap intercity travel information, check out Rome2Rio.
 

8. Use Local Tourism Offices

Local tourist offices are a wealth of knowledge. They exist solely to provide you with information on what to see and do. They often have tons of discounts not found anywhere else and can also keep you updated on local events, free tours, and the best spots to eat. They can help you find public transportation discounts and/or multiday passes too.

Don’t skip the local tourist office! They are a severely underutilized resource.
 

9. Get Cheap Accommodation

Cozy bunk beds in a hostel dorm room in EuropeCozy bunk beds in a hostel dorm room in Europe
Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs travelers have, so reducing that cost can lead to big savings on the road. I’m sure many backpackers would sleep in a barn if it were the cheapest accommodation they could find! Heck, I’ve slept in hammocks in national parks to save a buck!

Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money on the total cost of your trip. Stay in hostels, use Couchsurfing, stay in empty university dorms, camp, or try an Airbnb.

Since there are a lot of ways to cut your accommodation costs, here are my posts on how to get accommodation deals:

 

10. Eat Cheap

Other than accommodation, food is one of the biggest travel costs. After all, everyone needs to eat. But there are lots of ways to eat on the cheap:

Also, use the five-block rule. There seems to be this magical wall that surrounds tourist areas. Most people don’t go past it. It’s been my experience that if you walk five blocks in any direction from a major tourist area, you end up losing the crowds and finding the local restaurants.

In my experience, tourist restaurants don’t care about quality since those tourists aren’t coming back. Residents do care so places catering to them need to be better — and more affordable – or they go out of business. Those are the places you want to eat at. Use the above resources to find where the locals eat and avoid crappy food!
 

11. Travel Like You Live

The majority of people in your destinations don’t spend lots of money per day like tourists do. Neither do you in your day-to-day life. So take that mentality with you. Walk, take public transportation, grocery shop, spend a day in a park, and look for deals. Do the things you do at home every day to keep your costs down.

Too many people get into this mindset that when they go on the road, they just have to spend, spend, spend, spend. That’s not true at all. There’s no law that says you have to spend more. Be smart with your budget — just like you are at home. That will help you save money and prevent you from going home early (and broke).
 

12. Work & Volunteer to Lower Your Expenses

If you’re a long-term traveler, consider volunteering or doing a work exchange to lower your costs. There are tons of options out there such as farm stays, working in hostels, teaching in schools, and more.

You’ll usually need to commit for a week or more, however, these opportunities enable you to get a much deeper and more nuanced travel experience. Here are some websites to help you find suitable opportunities:

  • Worldpackers – Worldpackers offers travelers a chance to find volunteer experiences overseas. In addition to hostels, they can help you find experiences with NGOs, homestays, and eco-projects all over the world!
  • WWOOF – WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a program that connects you with farms all around the world where you can work in exchange for room and board.
  • Helpx – Like Worldpackers, Helpx offers exchanges such as farmstays, homestays, B&Bs, hostels, and sailboats.
  • Workaway – Workaway is a lot like HelpX, except it has more paid job opportunities (though it has volunteer opportunities too).

***
While prices may be higher than they were pre-pandemic, there are still plenty of ways to plan a budget trip without breaking the bank. By being flexible, getting creative, and embracing the right mindset, you’ll be able to get out the door in no time. And it won’t cost you a fortune either.

All you have to do is take that first step. Remember, action begets action. Once you start moving, everything else gets easier. So don’t wait!

 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

How to Travel the World on $75 a DayHow to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

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