In this episode of French Insider, Dan Mackta, Managing Director at Qobuz, joins Sheppard Mullin attorney Alex Akhavan to discuss the history and growth of Qobuz, a high-quality audio commercial music streaming and downloading service founded in France, including its successful expansion into the U.S. market, what sets Qobuz apart from its competitors, and fundamental differences in the U.S. and French approach to IP.
What We Discussed in This Episode:
- What is Qobuz? How did it start?
- What sets Qobuz apart from other music streaming services?
- What was your path to Qobuz?
- How did Qobuz succeed in France?
- What drove the decision to expand internationally and bring Qobuz to the U.S.?
- Can you describe your day-to-day activities? How has it changed since Qobuz launched in the U.S.?
- What is the Qobuz business model?
- How does Qobuz partner or collaborate with artists?
- What's the benefit of commissioning original music?
- What are some fundamental differences in how the U.S. and France approach IP?
- What other cultural and business differences have you observed in opening a French company in the U.S.?
- What are your main takeaways from your time at Qobuz?
- Where do you see the music industry heading from here?
- What song or genre would you choose to show off the audio quality of Qobuz?
About Dan Mackta
Dan Mackta joined Qobuz in 2018 after spending decades on the label and artist side of the music business. As Managing Director, he oversees the French streaming service's operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the Nordics. Dan is responsible for every aspect of the business in those markets, leading a U.S.-based team and overseeing operations, music, marketing, business development and more.
About Alex Akhavan
Alex Akhavan is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Century City office, where he also leads the firm’s Disney Television Animation and Amazon Studios’ unscripted teams and serves as the point of contact for the firm’s pro bono client, the Los Angeles Opera.
Alex represents producers, studios, media companies and networks in connection with entertainment productions throughout the United States and around the world. In addition to regularly negotiating development and production agreements on behalf of Disney, Amazon, and Univision, he has advised Gaumont International Television (El Presidente) on clearance and production matters and served as production counsel to Campanario Entertainment for Selena: The Series on Netflix.
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