Music Industry Resources
Essential tools, platforms, organizations, and publications for music professionals and independent artists.
Industry Standards & Ethical Journalism
Big Red NOLA is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism and editorial integrity. We align with and support the mission of leading industry organizations that promote verified, responsible publishing and fair treatment of creators.
ASME
American Society of Magazine Editors
Editorial Excellence & Standards
SPJ
Society of Professional Journalists
Journalism Ethics & Advocacy
AMM
Association of Magazine Media
Industry Growth & Standards
Our Commitment: We believe in transparent, fact-checked reporting; fair compensation for contributors; protecting journalist integrity; and fostering diverse voices in music journalism. These organizations represent the principles we strive to embody in every story and every interaction with our community.
Featured Organization
About the RIAA
RIAA is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and commercial vitality of music labels in the United States, the most vibrant recorded music community in the world. Its membership — ranging from small-to-medium-sized enterprises to global businesses — creates, manufactures, and/or distributes sound recordings. RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conducts consumer, industry, and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
Several Hundred
Members
1952
Founded
United States
Scope
Recorded Music
Focus
Industry News & Analysis
Music Business Worldwide
Critical industry news, job postings, and deep-dive analysis.
Billboard Biz
Music finance, charts, law, and corporate news.
Hypebot
Daily news, tech updates, and tips for independent artists and labels.
Digital Music News
Streaming, tech, and digital copyright trends.
Music Connection
Features, industry directories, and advice for indie artists.
Sound on Sound
Premier resource for audio engineering, production techniques, and gear reviews.
Copyright, Royalties & Associations
ASCAP
Performance rights organization for songwriters and publishers to collect royalties.
BMI
Performance rights organization representing over 1.3M songwriters and publishers.
RIAA
Represents major music companies and provides industry sales data.
AIMP
Educates on publishing trends and rights for independent music publishers.
NAMM
Organization focusing on music products, instrument manufacturing, and retail.
Distribution, Monetization & Marketing
DistroKid
Leading independent music distribution platform.
TuneCore
Distribution, publishing administration, and funding services.
ONErpm
Global distribution and marketing platform.
Disco.ac
Music catalog management and pitch platform for sync and licensing.
Music Industry Toolkit
Free resource directory for music industry tools and platforms.
Research & Education
The Unsigned Guide
Directory for independent music professionals worldwide.
Bloomsbury Popular Music
Comprehensive scholarly resource covering popular music history.
Music Tech
Focuses on technology, production software, and hardware.
Songstuff
Navigate the music industry from creation to career — promotion, management, legal, and more.
Berklee Online
Online music courses and certificates from Berklee College of Music.
Support & Health Services
Press Release & Video Distribution
AP Content Services
Delivers press releases, photos, and video directly to 3,000+ U.S. newsroom systems and AP News app. High-profile placement for multimedia content.
PR Newswire
Wide-reach wire service for distributing press releases with multimedia options. Standard choice for high-visibility distribution to financial and news platforms.
PA Media
Video distribution packages aimed at national and regional newsrooms, publishers, and broadcasters.
Press Ranger
Distributes releases to 300+ outlets (Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, etc.). Converts releases into podcasts for Spotify and Apple Podcasts with backlink optimization.
Video Distribution Platforms
Dacast
Unified streaming solution for live broadcasting and VOD hosting. White-label player, secure CDN delivery, and monetization tools for businesses and educational institutions.
Vimeo On Demand
Sell video content directly with flexible pricing (rentals, purchases, subscriptions). 90% revenue share to creators with customizable storefronts.
Uscreen
All-in-one video monetization platform for building subscription-based video businesses. Includes website builder, live streaming, and branded mobile/TV apps.
Muvi
Launch a full-featured branded OTT streaming service with multi-screen support. Supports SVOD, AVOD, TVOD, and hybrid models with built-in DRM security.
Symphonic Distribution
Specialized music video distribution to Vevo, Apple Music, and Tidal. Streamlined submissions with artist support and Vevo channel setup.
Bitmax
Managed digital media distribution service for professional studios. Handles post-production, metadata, compliance, and delivery to major retailers like iTunes and Amazon Prime.
FilmHub
No-upfront-fee aggregator connecting independent films to Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Roku Channel. 20% revenue share on licensing deals.
Quiver Digital
Flat-rate platform delivery to iTunes, Amazon Prime, and Google Play. Creators retain 100% of earnings. Direct relationships with top digital retailers.
ODMedia
High-touch aggregator for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Preferred delivery partner with quality control, encoding, and customized marketing strategies.
PeekSound
Independent music and video distribution with 100% royalty retention. Unlimited uploads to Apple Music, Vevo, and Tidal with annual membership.
Movies Anywhere
Cloud-based digital rights locker consolidating purchased movies from multiple retailers. Free access to films across Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Vudu, and Google Play.
Synamedia
Enterprise cloud-based OTT/IPTV solution for major broadcasters. Advanced security, anti-piracy measures, forensic watermarking, and multi-DRM for large-scale distribution.
Music Critics & Criticism Outlets
Pitchfork
Premier digital platform for in-depth album reviews, features, and news across all genres. Known for comprehensive scoring system and influential critical voice.
Rolling Stone
Historic publication covering music criticism, features, and industry reporting across rock, pop, hip-hop, and more.
The Needle Drop (Anthony Fantano)
3M+ follower YouTube channel providing daily music reviews and commentary on latest releases across all genres.
The New York Times - Music
Major newspaper's music section featuring critical reviews, profiles, and analysis from top music critics.
The New Yorker - Music
Literary publication known for sophisticated music criticism and cultural commentary from established critics.
Metacritic - Music
Aggregates reviews from top music critics, providing metascores and critical consensus on albums.
Variety - Music
Entertainment industry publication covering music reviews, features, and business news.
The Guardian - Music
Leading UK publication with comprehensive music criticism, reviews, and features from renowned critics.
Stereogum
Daily music blog covering reviews, news, and commentary on indie, alternative, and mainstream music.
AllMusic
Comprehensive music database with reviews, essays, and artist information across all genres.
MusicWatch (Mischa Willett)
Independent platform featuring musicians reviewing fellow musicians' work with specialized artistic perspective.
International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA)
Organization for film music critics and composers, honoring excellence in musical scoring across cinema and media.
Marketing Awards & Associations
Effie Awards
Global awards recognizing effectiveness in advertising and marketing campaigns that drive measurable business results.
Cannes Lions
The world's most prestigious international festival and awards for creativity in advertising and communications.
Clio Awards
Honors innovation and excellence in advertising, design, and communications across traditional and digital media.
Content Marketing Awards
The largest international awards program focused on content strategy, creation, and storytelling excellence.
The Drum Awards
Global celebration of best-in-class marketing, media, and creative excellence across all disciplines.
Webby Awards
International awards honoring excellence in internet, digital, web, and social media marketing.
MarCom Awards
Recognizes creative excellence and effectiveness of marketing communication professionals worldwide.
Stevie Awards
Premier business awards celebrating marketing teams, campaigns, and industry innovation.
ANA REGGIE Awards
Celebrates brand activation, results-driven marketing campaigns, and marketing excellence.
Shorty Awards
International awards honoring the best in social media, digital content, and creative storytelling.
Marketing Associations & Professional Groups
American Marketing Association (AMA)
Premier community for 30,000+ marketing professionals with education, networking, and industry resources.
Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Represents marketing professionals and brands, driving industry growth and marketing innovation.
4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies)
National trade association representing advertising agencies and promoting industry standards.
Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
Focuses on digital marketing, media standards, and interactive advertising best practices.
Content Marketing Institute (CMI)
Leading education and training platform for content marketers, hosts Content Marketing Awards.
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Major organization for PR professionals advancing excellence in public relations.
Marketing Society Global
International community fostering marketing excellence and professional development globally.
Academy of Marketing Science
Scholarly professional organization advancing marketing science and academic research.
African-American Marketing Association (AAMA)
Supports professional development of Black marketers and marketing leaders.
Hispanic Marketing Council
Promotes high-quality Hispanic marketing and cultural authenticity in advertising.
Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF)
Focuses on advancing the Asian American marketing and advertising landscape.
Music Industry Organizations
A2IM
American Association of Independent Music — advocate for indie labels.
AFM
American Federation of Musicians — protecting the rights of professional musicians.
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers — PRO for royalty collection.
Americana Music Association
Advocates for and celebrates the Americana genre and community.
Artist Rights Alliance
Grassroots coalition fighting for fair compensation and digital rights for artists.
AIMP
Association of Independent Music Publishers — education on publishing and rights.
BMAC
Black Music Action Coalition — advancing equity and justice in the music industry.
BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc. — PRO representing 1.3M+ songwriters and publishers.
CMTA
Christian Music Trade Association — serving the Christian music community.
CMPA
Church Music Publishers Association — serving publishers of sacred music.
CMA
Country Music Association — promoting the growth of country music worldwide.
Global Music Rights
GMR — boutique PRO representing elite songwriters and publishers.
Gospel Music Association
GMA — supporting and promoting gospel music creators.
IBMA
International Bluegrass Music Association — advancing bluegrass music worldwide.
The Latin Recording Academy
Celebrates and promotes Latin music and its creators globally.
Living Legends Foundation
Assisting music industry professionals in need.
MLC
Mechanical Licensing Collective — administers mechanical licenses for digital platforms.
Music Artists Coalition
Artist-led advocacy organization fighting for fair treatment of music creators.
Music Biz
Music Business Association — connecting the music industry ecosystem.
musicFIRST
Coalition advocating for fair pay for artists when music is played on radio.
MMF-USA
Music Managers Forum USA — education and advocacy for artist managers.
MPTF
Music Performance Trust Fund — bringing live music to communities.
Musicians On Call
Delivers live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
NSAI
Nashville Songwriters Association International — serving songwriters worldwide.
NIVA
National Independent Venues Association — supporting independent live music venues.
NMPA
National Music Publishers' Association — protecting and advancing publishers' interests.
Recording Academy
The Grammy organization — celebrating and advocating for music creators.
Rhythm and Blues Foundation
Supporting and honoring R&B pioneers and preserving their legacy.
SAG-AFTRA
Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA — representing recording artists and performers.
SESAC
Performance rights organization for songwriters and music publishers.
SGA
Songwriters Guild of America — advocating for songwriters' rights since 1931.
SONA
Songwriters of North America — giving voice to working songwriters.
SoundExchange
Collects and distributes digital performance royalties for artists and labels.
Broadcasting Resources & Regulatory
FCC Broadcast Licensing
FCC Media Bureau
Federal agency overseeing broadcast regulations, station licensing, and public files.
FCC Broadcast Station Totals
Official counts of AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations. Updated quarterly with Excel data.
FCC License Renewal Database
Search broadcast license renewal dates and public notice participation.
FCC AM/FM Query
Look up specific AM and FM station records by call sign, city, or frequency.
FCC TV Query
Search television station records by call sign, city, channel, or state.
Broadcast Industry Orgs
NAB (National Association of Broadcasters)
Leading advocate for TV, radio, and digital broadcasters nationwide.
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Trade association promoting radio advertising effectiveness and industry growth.
Association of Local TV Stations (ALTV)
Represents locally-owned and operated television stations.
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
Non-profit public television network with educational and cultural programming.
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
Professional organization for broadcast educators and students.
Music & Broadcast Royalties
Music Rights Performance Monitoring
Track music played on broadcast radio and TV for royalty purposes.
SoundExchange
Collects digital performance royalties including internet radio and satellite.
BMI Broadcast Info
BMI's broadcast music licensing and monitoring for radio/TV.
ASCAP Broadcast Resources
ASCAP licensing for broadcast radio and television stations.
Know a resource we should add?
Contact Big Red NOLA at info@bigrednolapublishing.com
