DIMA Digest: May / June 2025
July 21, 2025 | DIMA Digest Newsletter
1. Music Biz 2025
Each year, the Music Biz Conference brings the music industry together to engage in meaningful discussions with key stakeholders about the state of the industry. This year, DIMA hosted the kick-off breakfast, leading conversations about the global music policy landscape and exploring new consumer research. The series of discussions included a fireside chat with Russ Crupnick of MusicWatch, a U.S. focused policy overview with leading industry trade associations, and a panel focused on international developments featuring perspectives from Canada, the UK, and Brazil. For the first time, DIMA also hosted an exclusive meet-up for DIMA member companies to discuss key music streaming updates and provide an opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country.
- Canada’s digital services tax called ‘needlessly inflammatory’ during trade talks with U.S. | Financial Post
- Restaurants, Bars Mull Turning Off Music as Licensing Fees Jump I Bloomberg Government
2. DIMA Summer Members Meeting & Industry Gathering
DIMA hosted its second Summer Members Meeting on June 10 at Spotify’s New York headquarters, marking a pivotal moment of growth and momentum for the organization.
The event convened leaders from the world’s top streaming services, industry, and government agencies for a day of strategic discussion on the future of digital music, licensing, innovation, and global policy. These included Carletta Higginson, EVP, Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group; Mitch Glazier, President & CEO, RIAA; Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, Recording Academy; Waleed Diab, Global Head of Recorded Music Business Development, YouTube; John Riley, Acting Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Copyright Office; Alli Stillman, Partner, Latham & Watkins; Russ Crupnick, Managing Director, MusicWatch; Juan Mauricio Mora, Managing Partner, InStrag; Greg McNeil, Partner, NorthStar; and Mauro Falsetti, Partner, Bialer Falsetti.
A key highlight was a fireside chat with Monica Damashek, Head of Artist & Label Partnerships at Spotify, and the Brooklyn-based folk duo, TOLEDO, offering fresh perspective on the evolving relationship between music streaming services and the creative community.
3. DIMA Annual Report 2025
New DIMA and MusicWatch research reveals exceptionally high consumer satisfaction with music streaming, with 94% of users saying they love or like their streaming service – a first-of-its-kind figure for the industry. The findings are part of DIMA’s 2025 Annual Report, which positions streaming as the leading force across all key music industry metrics: consumer choice, industry growth and investment, access, royalties and discovery.
The report underscores how DIMA is expanding its role as the voice of the music streaming sector, representing the leading services operating across the Americas. Other key highlights from the report include:
- Nearly 250 million Americans streamed music in 2024.
- 84% of streamers say streaming improves their connections to artists.
- Streamers spend 26% more today on recorded music than they did five years ago.
- In a typical week, streamers spend 40% more time listening to music on streaming services than music listeners on broadcast radio.
4. DIMA Engagement on NO FAKES Act
DIMA continues to engage on key policy issues related to AI-generated digital replicas. In May, DIMA provided written testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighting our commitment to federal protections to prevent against the unauthorized use of individuals’ name, image, likeness, and voice. We shared recommendations to improve the NO FAKES Act, and outlined approaches to ensure the bill is workable for all stakeholders.
5. Black Music Month 2025
Each June, DIMA brings together senior leaders from our member companies and Black policymakers to reflect on the impact of Black Music Month.
In our latest installment, Lauren D. Williams of SiriusXM Pandora sat down with Congressman Danny Davis for a candid and inspiring conversation that touched on everything from his upbringing surrounded by gospel music to his powerful philosophy on leadership.
“Music is good for the soul,” Rep. Davis shared, recalling church choirs and neighborhood sounds that carried deep meaning and connection. He also offered a timeless piece of leadership advice: the importance of listening.
6. NEW DIMA.org Website
In June, DIMA debuted a newly redesigned website.
