Billboard Acquires Amplify Media
• Billboard announced the acquisition of leading live entertainment news site Amplify Media Inc. Billboard gained full ownership of Amplify on June 18, 2018. As part of this transaction, Amplify founder Dave Brooks has joined Billboard‘s full-time staff as a Senior Correspondent, along with writer Taylor Mims, and will lead Billboard‘s touring and live entertainment coverage. Amplify will continue to provide its subscribers the most insightful analysis and commentary on the music touring industry as well as its signature newsletter, The Real. Brooks will also increase the scope and depth of Billboard‘s coverage of live concerts and touring, and Amplify will continue to operate from its offices in Long Beach, CA.
Amplify Media was created by Brooks and his wife Kristen Bilanko in 2014. Brooks has a long career covering the music business and previously held positions at Pollstar, Venues Todayand the Los Angeles Times. “I started Amplify because I wanted to tell stories about the live music business in a new and exciting way,” said Brooks. “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.”
“We are extremely excited to acquire Amplify,” said Ross Scarano, Billboard‘s Vice President of Content. “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.” Brooks will also be programming the recently rebranded Billboard Live Music Summit & Awards (formerly the Billboard Touring Conference & Awards) on November 13 & 14 at the Montage in Beverly Hills.
