The music news outlet Billboard announced today that it has acquired the digital media company Amplify Media Inc.
Since its debut in 2014, Amplify has delivered live entertainment, touring, and industry news to its 1,000 paid subscribers and 10,000 daily readers. Amplify founder Dave Brooks has now joined Billboard’s staff as a senior correspondent and will be programming Billboard’s rebranded Live Music Summit & Awards, which is set to take place this November in Beverly Hills. Writer Taylor Mims will also join the Billboard team, covering tours and live entertainment.
According to Brooks, Amplify will still provide its subscribers with “the most insightful analysis and commentary on the music touring industry,” and continue to send out its newsletter, The Real.
“I started Amplify because I wanted to tell stories about the live music business in a new and exciting way,” Brooks said. “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.”
Amplify will still operate from its offices in Long Beach, California.
“We are extremely excited to acquire Amplify,” Billboard’s vice president of content, Ross Scarano, said. “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.”
