Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 20, 2021 Page 1 of 20 INSIDE Executive of the Week: Billie Eilish • Spotify Announces Co-Managers Danny Rukasin and Another Stock Buyback of Up to $1 Brandon Goodman Billion BY LYNDSEY HAVENS • Tems, Elaine & More: Why African R&B/Soul Artists Are For an artist like Billie Eilish, who has topped Ever holds strong at No. 1 — becoming only the second Poised ‘To Claim Our the Billboard charts, swept the Grammys and broken album released this year to spend its first two weeks Spot’ countless records along the way, a title such as Hap- at the peak. Helping Eilish come out on top once again pier Than Ever seemed fitting for her second album has earned her co-managers, Best Friends’ • BTS Cancels Danny Ru- World Tour Due — even in spite of the single tear descending the pop kasin and Brandon Goodman, the title of Billboard’s to COVID-19 star’s face on the project’s cover. Executive of the Week. Complications When the album debuted atop the Billboard 200 Here, the two discuss the parallels between Eilish’s last week — following in the footsteps of her acclaimed two rollout campaigns thus far and why physical for- • R. Kelly Accuser Says in Tearful 2019 debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We mat of vinyl worked so seamlessly with the superstar’s Testimony She Was Go? — Eilish had even more cause for celebration. Hap- current “golden-era aesthetic.” ‘Trained’ to Please pier Than Ever racked up 238,000 equivalent album Both of Billie’s full-length albums have now Singer as a Teen units in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 5, according debuted atop the Billboard 200. What strategies • R. Kelly’s Former to MRC Data, 153,000 of which were album sales, with from her debut campaign did you utilize again Assistant Testifies: physical sales comprising a whopping 129,000. with Happier Than Ever? ‘It Was Almost Like a The breakdown gets even more impressive. Of Brandon Goodman: Billie leads the way with her Twilight Zone’ those physical sales, 73,000 were vinyl — a stat so music and the narrative she wants to tell in every • Aaliyah’s 1996 large that Happier Than Ever would have topped the aspect of her art, and it’s our job — alongside our Album ‘One in a Billboard 200 based on vinyl sales alone. (The album incredible partners at Darkroom/Interscope and Million’ Finally was pressed on eight color variants available across Billie’s publicist, Alexandra Baker — to help bring Arrives on Streaming independent record stores as well as big-box retailers those ideas and her vision to life in a meaningful and Services: Listen like Target and Walmart.) impactful way. The same as we did for her debut al- Now, in its second week on the chart, Happier Than (continued) TOTAL IMMERSION ESSENTIAL ANALYSIS of the latest business topics and trends formulated to give industry players the competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market. EXCLUSIVE QUARTERLY REPORTS that deliver in-depth, holistic reporting; case studies; and custom data designed to serve the industry. A DEEP DIVE LIBRARY stocked with intelligence on fan data, SUBSCRIBE TO BILLBOARD PRO FOR song catalog sales, TV synchs, Africa’s burgeoning music ACCESS TO NEW REPORTS business and the gaming industry’s embrace of artists. AND THE ARCHIVE Page 3 of 20 IN BRIEF bum, we worked with all the digital service Rukasin: We all recognized how the album from an artist at Billie’s level, where providers to help create content and experi- timeless, golden-era aesthetic Billie created expectations are high from fans and more ences to ensure the fans connect to Billie in and intended for this album would work re- casual audiences are diving back with new ways that are special and important to them. ally well in the tangible form of vinyl, so the music, you have to execute it even more The goal was to reach as many people as key decision was understanding time frames carefully. possible. on vinyl production and having the luxury What has been the biggest challenge Danny Rukasin: I think the biggest thing of time to plan well ahead to offer various about being a manager through a pan- we all learned from the first album is how colored vinyl to serve many different sets of demic? we truly leaned in and worked with every fans through various distribution options. Rukasin: Not being able to tour and per- partner we have that generally can help con- Cassettes also had a strong showing, form in front of fans on a larger scale is the nect Billie’s music with her fans and extend with 10,000 in sales. Why is it important biggest challenge. Billie has such an incred- the world she created around the music. to embrace physical formats in an album ible relationship with and cares for her fans. Whether that’s with the DSPs or physical rollout today? It’s one thing when she and her fans are retail, press outlets, radio or any other part- Rukasin: Moreso than vinyl, cassettes are home and connecting via social media, but ner, the goal is always to understand how we truly collectibles and do mean something to it’s a very different and beautiful thing to see can work together with each [project] and fans. when she can be in the same space in real utilize their strengths — or build something What lessons or strategies from this life, perform the music and share a special new — to shine the largest but most authen- rollout and campaign did you learn or try experience with them. The fact she sold out tic light on the album. that you will apply to future projects? her 2022 world arena tour in hours is a clear Working with the Disney team [on the Rukasin: I think the lesson we learned indication of the appetite her fans have to be concert film Happier Than Ever: A Love was while the concept and motif of an under the same roof with Billie again. Letter to Los Angeles, out on Disney+ Sept. album visually can be specific and expand- Goodman: Artists can put out tons of 3] has been wonderful; they are one of, if not able in many ways, we also want to be sure music, release supporting content and even the, biggest brands in the world and their it doesn’t pigeonhole the album and create host livestreams, but there is nothing as ex- reach is enormous on a global scale. They any misconceptions or pre-conceived ideas citing for both an artist and their fans as the also know how to cultivate a “universe,” on the music on the album as we roll out connection they feel during a live concert. which makes them the perfect partner to singles and videos. This album is incredible Aside from Billie’s chart-topping sec- work with on a film of this caliber while em- in its full form and as deep as a body of work ond album, what are some other recent bracing and understanding who Billie is, and can be. The music is modern and forward- wins you guys have had? how connective her performances are. leaning, while the visuals have a throwback, Goodman: We were very pleased with the With vinyl sales of 73,000 in its first timeless, classic feel and are high-concept. reception of the RJ Cutler-directed docu- week, that figure alone was enough to get Telling the story and explaining more as mentary, Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little the album to No. 1. What key decision did the campaign goes along was key. We saw Blurry. It humanized Billie and reminded you play in making that happen? that on her first album, but with this second viewers and fans that although what she is AUTHORITATIVE INTELLIGENCE. DELIVERED DIGITALLY. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DELIVERY DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS WE’RE BACK, LIVE IN MIAMI #BILLBOARDLATINWEEK WWW.BILLBOARDLATINMUSICWEEK.COM FOR SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: MARCIA OLIVAL, [email protected] | MIKE VAN, [email protected] BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 5 OF of 1920 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country goingA throughlbu isms; quite rare, Brett she still experi Y-oungthird quarter ‘Catc of this year,h the’-es company Fifth an- opening Airplay of trading today, up nearly 10% to ences the same challenges and emotions nounced today (Aug. 20). $215.07 as of press time. that other teensLea experience.der; I think Travis it was DenningAccording to a press release,Makes the compa History- especially important for her fans and their ny’s board of directors authorized the repur- parents to see that. chase program through April 21, 2026, and Tems, Elaine SamRukasin: Hunt’s second I think studio being full-length, able to announce and first in overnoted five that years, the Southside “timing andsales actual (up 21%) number in the trackingof week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCAand sell Nashville/Universal out a headline arenaMusic Grouptour in Nashville), North debutsshares at No. repurchased 1 on Billboard’s will lion depend audience on a impressions, variety &up 16%). More: Why TopAmerica, Country the Albums U.K. and chart Europe, dated April especially 18. In its first ofweek factors, (ending including April 9), it price, general busi- earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingduring toa pandemic, Nielsen Music/MRC is a major Data.