NME, Uncut, Guitar.com and MusicTech Form New Music-Focused Media Group NME Networks
BandLab Technologies today announced the strategic formation of NME Networks – a brand new media proposition to unite its media titles, NME, Uncut, Guitar.com and MusicTech. The shift creates a new group that will function with its own identity, brand name and leadership.
Under the new structure, the brands within NME Networks will operate with a common purpose to create and curate content that entertains, inspires and informs the world of music. Each legendary media brand continues their same cutting-edge music content alongside other areas of the pop culture sphere, including film and tv, gaming, tech and lifestyle. With quality content and storytelling at the forefront of what they do, NME Networks talk to fans, stans, stars, legends, players, emerging talent and creators, sharing their access, expertise and opinions, alongside consumer events and experiences, such as Guitar.com Live and NME’s globally famous NME Awards shows and live music events.
Guitar.com has seen a 618% rise in users from 2018-2021 in the UK and 932% in the United States while over at NME they’ve seen a 45% rise in audience growth in the UK and 49% rise in the United States in the past year. This exponential growth directly translates into opportunity for brand partners to take advantage of the combined value of context and global scalability across a portfolio of entirely owned and operated brands.
Launched in 1952 as the New Musical Express, NME has grown into a global media powerhouse and the world’s defining voice in music and pop culture – creating and curating content, products and experiences essential to the fans of music and popular culture today. NME also has dedicated editions for Australia and Asia.
Uncut has been preserving, archiving, and celebrating what makes music since the magazine’s inception in 1998, featuring firsthand access to the world’s biggest artists and in depth-features and a regular dive into the richest music archive on the planet.
Guitar.com recently announced an exciting digital-only format, extending their reach across new audiences, geographies, and verticals. They continue to inform, empower and inspire the world of guitar through exclusive and trending content about gear, artists, technique and the guitar industry for all genres and skill levels.
The newly relaunched and rebranded MusicTech, caters for advanced music makers, novice musicians and fans alike. Putting focus on both emerging and established artists and producers, as well as how technology is changing the way we interact with sound and music, and how audio intersects with fields such as gaming, sport, culture, design, art, business and more.
The move to form NME Networks sees Holly Bishop step into the role of Chief Operating & Commercial Officer of NME Networks, having worked with NME since 2013, running the UK operation and leading the commercial efforts globally over the last 2.5 years. Iliyas Ong will be taking on the new role of Editorial Director across NME Networks, having been responsible for launching the media division and leading global content strategy at BandLab Technologies for the past four years. He previously was Editor of Time Out Singapore and a content editor for brands such as Samsung, Discovery Networks and American Express.
Holly Bishop, Chief Operating & Commercial Officer of NME Networks says:
“The launch of NME Networks is a huge step forward in the evolution of our media proposition. The creation of a unified identity connected to the world’s most famous music media brand; NME, enables us to realise the synergies between our brands and turn our collective audiences on to a deeper world of pop culture.
I am delighted to step into my new role and drive growth for our brands, our partners and our people.”
Iliyas Ong, Editorial Director of NME Networks says: “Music courses through everything we do, and bringing together our world-class media brands under a common banner will only strengthen our position as a global leader in music and entertainment media.
“I’m thrilled to be able to have a hand in leading the next stage of our evolution, driving growth in new territories, developing our talent, and engaging with the most important part of the puzzle: the fans. This is just the beginning.”
NME Networks has operations in the UK, USA, Singapore and Australia, and is currently hiring for a number of editorial roles to support its new structure and aggressive growth plans.
For more information please contact:
Rachael Chinery and Adrian Read @ inside out
rachael@insideout.agency / adrian@insideout.agency