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Apple Has Reportedly Acquired British Startup 'Platoon' Focused on Discovering Up-and-Coming Music Artists
Apple has acquired Platoon, a London-based A&R startup focused on discovering rising music artists, according to Music Business Worldwide.
Platoon was founded in 2016 by Saul Klein, co-founder of defunct British video-on-demand service LoveFilm, and Denzyl Feigelson, who is a 40-year music industry veteran and has been advisor to Apple about matters related to iTunes and later Apple Music since 2003, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The startup reportedly worked with California singer Billie Eilish before she signed to Interscope in 2017. The 16-year-old recently debuted a new song "Come Out And Play" as the backdrop to Apple's "Share Your Gifts" holiday ad.
Feigelson will lead Platoon's team of 12 full-time employees from its London headquarters, where it has two recording studios, according to the report. Platoon is expected to continue supporting artists across areas including tour support, original content, social media marketing, and global expansion strategies.
A&R, for those unaware, is all about talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters. A&R representatives often act as a liaison between artists and record labels or publishing companies.
Typically when Apple makes an acquisition, it issues a statement that reads "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally don't discuss our purpose or plans." Apple has yet to confirm the Platoon acquisition, however, and some acquisitions turn out to be acqui-hires instead.
If the acquisition did happen, though, it will likely aid the Apple Music team's ability to continue discovering original music from up-and-coming artists. Apple Music already highlights emerging artists through its "Up Next" program.
Update: British newspaper The Telegraph also reports that Apple has acquired Platoon, citing a source close to Apple.
Platoon was founded in 2016 by Saul Klein, co-founder of defunct British video-on-demand service LoveFilm, and Denzyl Feigelson, who is a 40-year music industry veteran and has been advisor to Apple about matters related to iTunes and later Apple Music since 2003, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The startup reportedly worked with California singer Billie Eilish before she signed to Interscope in 2017. The 16-year-old recently debuted a new song "Come Out And Play" as the backdrop to Apple's "Share Your Gifts" holiday ad.
Feigelson will lead Platoon's team of 12 full-time employees from its London headquarters, where it has two recording studios, according to the report. Platoon is expected to continue supporting artists across areas including tour support, original content, social media marketing, and global expansion strategies.
A&R, for those unaware, is all about talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters. A&R representatives often act as a liaison between artists and record labels or publishing companies.
Typically when Apple makes an acquisition, it issues a statement that reads "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally don't discuss our purpose or plans." Apple has yet to confirm the Platoon acquisition, however, and some acquisitions turn out to be acqui-hires instead.
If the acquisition did happen, though, it will likely aid the Apple Music team's ability to continue discovering original music from up-and-coming artists. Apple Music already highlights emerging artists through its "Up Next" program.
Update: British newspaper The Telegraph also reports that Apple has acquired Platoon, citing a source close to Apple.
Tags: Apple acquisition, Apple Music
[ 26 comments ]
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11 weeks ago
I would rather that Apple spends more money on the hardware that it produces.
For those of you playing MacRumors Bingo, please mark the “focus on hardware” box:
11 weeks ago
I would rather that Apple spends more money on the hardware that it produces.
11 weeks ago
Where are they going? It is like Apple is meandering about rudderless. Buying a music production startup?
Rebuild your main eco system of devices. They are wasting their technical talent on peripheral curiosities.
I feel like Apple is just lost and wandering. Luckily they had the inertia that the iPhone gave them after Jobs died. But they have to refocus on getting all their products back into the "insanely great" category.
(P.S. - If they use iTunes to sell these songs, I'll never be able to find them. Spend some money to fix that)
Rebuild your main eco system of devices. They are wasting their technical talent on peripheral curiosities.
I feel like Apple is just lost and wandering. Luckily they had the inertia that the iPhone gave them after Jobs died. But they have to refocus on getting all their products back into the "insanely great" category.
(P.S. - If they use iTunes to sell these songs, I'll never be able to find them. Spend some money to fix that)
11 weeks ago
I sure hope someone at Apple has a big picture of their future. I really can't see it. Luckily, I don't run a big company.
11 weeks ago
I sure hope someone at Apple has a big picture of their future. I really can't see it. Luckily, I don't run a big company.
They should purchase a start-up company that is focused on discovering an up-and-coming successful big picture of Apple's future.
11 weeks ago
I love how they described the company this same guy founded "Love Film" as defunt. It was only purchased by Amazon for multiple hundreds of millions.
11 weeks ago
I would rather that Apple spends more money on the hardware that it produces.
Also better UX and UI designers.
11 weeks ago
Why do I get the feeling it will just turn into “Here’s more Drake and Taylor Swift!”?
11 weeks ago
So it would appear that the "new music industry" is every bit as corporate as the old music industry. So much for the internet leveling the playing field...
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