Last year, the rise of the artist “middle class” put the independent distribution and artist services industry in the spotlight.
according to brightThe 2024 Midyear Music Report, 62.1% Number of tracks played between 1 million and 10 million Timings for US streaming services in the first half of 2024 are being handled by independent distribution companies.
During the same period (first half of 2024), independent publishing companies also processed 37.4% Number of tracks played between 10 million and 50 million times, and 22.1% Number of tracks played between 50 million and 100 million Second-rate.
In addition, the growth of the standalone (i.e., non-main issuer) segment market share The situation for each category in the first half of 2024 and the second half of 2023.
The traditional record industry has clearly taken notice. Warner Music Group confirmed in March that it was considering a takeover bid Tuning parents believebut on April 6, WMG announced its decision no Seeking bids for the company.
In recent months, we have also seen investment from major music companies shift towards platforms that provide distribution and artist and label services in high-potential “emerging markets”.
For example, WMG acquired a minority stake in Petrobras. his music Last summer, Universal Pictures acquired Emirates chabaka music August 2023.
“If you look at how the market is changing, record companies are realizing they can’t sign as many artists. So they’re signing distribution deals,” said Ditto Music CEO Lee Parsons, commenting on the rise of the independent distribution industry.
“This just tells you where [the market] It’s happening,” he added. “It’s not going backwards. The value of digital distributors is Very underrated”.
Founded 15 years ago by British musicians, brothers and co-CEOs Matt and Lee Parsons, Ditto Music is a well-known player in global independent distribution and services.
The company’s competitors include TuneCore, UnitedMasters and DistroKid. But unlike its biggest rival, Ditto still 100% ownedby its founder — A unique model for large platforms in the field.
Ditto hit 1 million The company’s co-CEOs hit the user mark in July 2023 and confirmed in early 2025 that their distribution and services business now exceeds 2 million Milestones for registered artists.
Lee Parsons told us the platform is experiencing “remarkable growth for a distribution company.”
Ditto offers three subscription plans, ranging from £19 per year, suitable for DIY artists starter Plan £59 per year Professional version Program that provides additional services for acts of self-release. The company provides “Label” Plans are available for independent labels with 5 artists (priced at £89 per month) and for independent labels with 40 artists at £319 per year.
In addition to Ditto’s core distribution model, the company offers music publishing management and sync licensing services to Ditto Pro subscribers, which features a dashboard that allows users to promote music for film, television, and more.
Founded in 2021, Ditto Music Publishing collects over $1 million in annual royalties for its artists, and Ditto Sync has secured syncs with major brands, broadcasters and streaming services including Netflix, HBO, EA Sports and the BBC, among others .
Ditto also runs an artist management division led by Head of Ditto MGMT Matt Dodds, Parsons told us it’s an “organically grown” labeling services unit led by the head of global labeling services Chris Mooney (Former Vice President of Tunecore).
Ditto Plus Label Services provides licensing and distribution agreements for promising acts discovered through the company’s subscription services and further afield.
“We’re growing something that’s sustainable for the long term, and that’s what we intend to do.”
Lee Parsons, op.
Lee Parsons said the “extraordinary growth” Ditto has experienced coincides with the company’s aggressive global service expansion over the past year, focusing on key markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, India and Latin America.
Two high-potential markets in the Americas, Mexico and BrazilDitto said its revenue grew Annual increase of 121% and An annual increase of 60%, respectively in 2024.
The company’s presence in Spain is further evidence of the company’s growing presence in the global Spanish-language music scene, with Ditto reporting revenue growth there 68%Year-on-year 2024.
Meanwhile, Parsons noted that Ditto is also “very well positioned” in the following areas: IndiaThe country is expected to surpass the United States in 2024 to become the largest streaming region in terms of traffic. Annual increase of 61% India Revenue Growth 2024.
Additionally, revenue generated from the company’s operations on the African continent grew 70% annual increase 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the fastest growing music region in 2023.
South Africa is sub-Saharan Africa’s largest recorded music market in 2023 and the birthplace of global music Appiano This is Ditto’s third largest market in terms of number of users, after the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Africa is a big market for Ditto,” said Lee Parsons. “We’ve had tremendous growth [in Africa] On the subscription side.
The company’s user growth and global expansion follows a string of recent artist success stories, such as rising British superstar Myles Smithwho released tracks including solo and my home Same as above. According to the company, Smith has achieved more than 500 million So far, he has been circulating in the albums released by Ditto.
Ditto has also seen many successes from major emerging market artists including Southeast Asia to sub-Saharan Africa.
Philippine indie band sun kissed lolafor example, Ditto points out who has worked at the company throughout their careers, click No. 1 Breaking onto Spotify’s Global Viral 50 list with hit song aisle – One of the most played songs of all time by a Filipino artist
canadian punjabi hip hop star KaranOila get more than 500mega Music streams distributed via Same as above In 2024, the tracks are as follows Award speech and four meEP.
nigerian afrobeat star Darko has achieved more than 200 million Live broadcast for her single favorite girl, The song reached number one on the Global Afrobeat Shazam Chart, number two on the UK Afrobeat Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Afrobeat Chart.
On the publishing side, Ditto also collaborates with renowned artists such as Porter Pepperas well as clients with household names such as Doha cat, drake and prince.
In addition to these recent successes, Ditto’s founder and co-CEO noted that global superstars, including Chance the Rapper, Dave, Stormzy, and others have previously released music through Ditto.
Ditto attributes its user growth to investments in technology in recent years, in addition to the company’s expansion into key global markets.
“The entire team has been working hard to create a great user experience, from signing up to receiving royalties and installment payments,” said Lee Parsons. “Everything an artist needs is now on the website.”
Ditto users also have access to music promotion services, from playlists and news to social strategies and sponsored ads. Other tech tools offered by Ditto include an AI-powered mastering tool, and the company’s founders revealed that they will launch a proprietary AI-powered tool in the coming weeks to calculate artists’ progress.
“We’ve been working very hard and very aggressively to position ourselves in all the different areas. [sectors]From publishing to label services and management, giving us a comprehensive grasp of the music industry, not just music distribution.
“But actually, when we do this, the distribution [side of the business] Growing so fast, it’s clear that it will now enter another phase. We saw the explosion.
Looking back on the company’s growth to date and its positioning in wider distribution, Parsons said: “We are developing products that are sustainable in the long term and that’s what we’re aiming for.”global music business
