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Breaking Down the Biz

Breaking Down the Biz

By: Seth Schachner | StratAmericas
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About this listen

 On Breaking Down the Biz, we simplify the big stuff in the business of music , entertainment, and technology. Industry insider Seth Schachner (ex Sony Music, Microsoft, AOL, Universal Music) brings you a bite-sized, insider’s guide to how the industry really works. Each week Seth is joined by the insiders who are making culture happen - the brains behind your favorite artists, movies, and media companies. Ever wondered how Apple helped save the music industry? What actually happened with those Taylor Swift tickets? And how did Bad Bunny go from unknown to global superstar? From timely breakdowns to the biggest industry-shifting moments in recent history, we’re unpacking the deals, the drama, and the decisions that shape what you watch and listen to every day. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Kerry Gordy on Motown, Major Labels, and Sunday Best

    Kerry Gordy on Motown, Major Labels, and Sunday Best
    Apr 16 2026
    On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner sits down with Kerry Gordy, son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Berry shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in the iconic Motown studios to navigating the evolving landscape of the music industry. They also speak on the state of the industry as it relates to major labels and the distribution ecosystem, and Netflix's documentary Sunday Best, about the Ed Sullivan Show. Through candid storytelling, he provides unique insights into the world of music, marketing, and the impact of technology on artists today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Paramount Merger, WMG Music, & Coachella, with Michelle 'Bizzy' Bell

    Paramount Merger, WMG Music, & Coachella, with Michelle 'Bizzy' Bell
    Apr 14 2026
    In this episode, Seth Schachner is joined by Michelle Bell, a savvy music and brand strategist, to unpack how brands are transforming festivals into immersive marketing zones. Music isn't always the primary act at festivals - luxury glamping, instagrammable moments, and influencer hype are competing for the main stage at event like SXSW, Coachella, and more. Seth and Michelle explore how this shift impacts the music ecosystem, artist revenue, and fan experience, revealing the hidden power of brand-funded content in today’s entertainment landscape. They also briefly touch on the letter signed by over 1,000 actors and film professionals calling for a boycott of the Paramount merger, a potential takeover of WMG, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • The Power of Emerging Music Markets, with Alfonso Perez Soto

    The Power of Emerging Music Markets, with Alfonso Perez Soto
    Apr 9 2026
    Most countries underestimate how local competitors and digital giants like YouTube, TikTok, and others are shaping the future of the music industry by developing emerging markets. Alfonso Perez Soto, a veteran in the global music industry, unveils the surprising role YouTube plays across India, Africa, and the Middle East. He and host Seth Shachner (Strat Americas) share how local initiatives like Boomplay and Wangami fought hard to carve out their space, what the rise of the Latin market means for the future of the industry, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
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