Industry Press / 09.20.18
Billboard Acquires Amplify Media
Billboard, the world's largest voice in music, today announced the acquisition of leading live entertainment news site Amplify Media Inc. Billboard gained full ownership of Amplify on June 18, 2018.
Amplify founder Dave Brooks has joined Billboard’s full-time staff as a senior sorrespondent, along with writer Taylor Mims, and will lead Billboard’s touring and live entertainment coverage. Amplify will continue to provide its subscribers the most insightful analysis and commentary on the music touring industry as well as its signature newsletter, The Real. Brooks will also increase the scope and depth of Billboard’s coverage of live concerts and touring. Amplify will continue to operate from its offices in Long Beach, California.
Amplify Media was created by Dave Brooks and his wife Kristen Bilanko in 2014 and it quickly became the leading tip sheet in live entertainment, delivering industry news to a robust subscriber base. Brooks has a long career covering the music business and has held positions at publications such as Pollstar, Venues Today and the Los Angeles Times.
“I started Amplify because I wanted to tell stories about the live music business in a new and exciting way,” Brooks says. “We built an amazing audience, and now, with this sale, Amplify and Billboard will come together to create the most impactful platform in touring and live entertainment.”
“We are extremely excited to acquire Amplify,” said Billboard’s vice president of content, Ross Scarano. “Dave Brooks is a true entrepreneur who knows the live entertainment world inside out and we are thrilled to be able to provide Billboard’s readers with more in-depth coverage of the touring industry.”
This year, Brooks will also be programming Billboard’s recently rebranded Live Music Summit & Awards, set to take place on November 13–14, 2018 at the Montage in Beverly Hills. The Billboard Live Music Summit & Awards, formerly known as the Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, is the premiere gathering of power players, artists and concert industry insiders dedicated to tackling the challenges and opportunities they face in the concert business, while redefining and expanding the boundaries of the live experience. Registration for this year’s summit is now open. Click here to learn more.
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