The AvA Connection

‼️ LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES: A FIRE RELIEF BENEFIT

We are hosting a fundraising concert at Aviator Nation in Malibu on March 16th with 100% of net proceeds benefitting MusiCares. Can’t make it to Malibu? The event will be livestreamed globally via an exclusive stream on YouTube.

Click below for more info and find out how you can get tix.

ALSO:

🐝 The Weekly Buzz

YouTube Music hit 125 million subscribers, and 2 million subscribers are joining the platform every month on average. While they own a large chunk of the market, they still are around 138 million subscribers behind Spotify.

Oscars drew a 5-year high in both total viewers (19.69 million) and adults 18-49, but are still WAY off from a decade ago:

• 2014 — 43.7M

• 2015 — 37.3M

• 2016 — 34.4M

• 2017 — 32.9M

• 2018 — 26.5M

• 2019 — 29.6M

• 2020 — 23.6M

• 2021 — 10.4M

• 2022 — 16.6M

• 2023 — 18.7M

• 2024 — 19.5M

• 2025 — 19.7M

Reddit’s co-Founder joins ‘people’s bid’ to buy TikTok. The ‘People’s Bid’ is being led by the LA Dodgers former owner, and their goal is to “rebuild the platform in a way that prioritizes the privacy of 170 million Americans.” This is one of the many solutions proposed amidst the TikTok ban, and it seems to be picking up steam.

The Peaky Blinders Netflix movie ‘The Immortal Man’ is now set to have a theatrical release, a rarity for films produced by Netflix.

In other Netflix news despite being the lowest grossing ‘Venom’ film yet, Tom Hardy’s third and final ‘Venom’ recently became Netflix’s most viewed film of the week. new life was breathed into the movies popularity after being put on the streaming service. It was viewed 12.8 million times for 23.3 million hours, and here are the 10 films it beat out for the top spot.

Duetti, a music investment company “focused on indie artists,” raised $200 million in debt funding. This will allow them to expand into acquiring publishing and royalty rights, and increases their total funding to $435 million. Learn more about why that may matter to you here.

Sony Music co-leads $16 million in funding for AI start up Vermillio. Vermillio’s CEO shared that, “We are setting a new standard for AI licensing—one that proactively enables consent, credit, and compensation for innovative opportunities.” There is a lot of turmoil amdist the AI in music scene, and we can hope this one will turn out good.

📞 The Call Log: Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares Foundation

Our conversation is below:

AvA: What was your first job in entertainment, and what were your biggest learning experiences that helped shape who you are today? 

Segura: I first worked my way up from a Coordinator to an Executive at an organization called Film Independent.  It was similar to the Recording Academy in that it was a non-profit membership organization that supported a creative community, but it was in a different part of the entertainment industry.  That said, the organization was much smaller than the Recording Academy and I learned a lot working in start-up environment that was very entrepreneurial in spirit.  You had to have tenacity and a willingness to handle any challenge in a small team with few resources.  That drive and respect for creatives and charity came with me to the Recording Academy where I first ran Membership for seven years before I was promoted to oversee MusiCares. 

AvA: For those unfamiliar, how would you define the work that MusiCares does? 

Segura: MusiCares is the leading nonprofit organization that provides a safety net of critical health and human services for music professionals in times of need. Our work spans mental health services, addiction recovery support, medical care, emergency financial assistance, and disaster relief. We serve all music professionals—whether they are on stage or behind the scenes—ensuring that the people who dedicate their lives to creating music have access to the resources and support they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.

AvA: What are some of the most creative or unique ways you’ve seen artists fundraise or support causes they care about?

Segura: Artists are incredibly creative when it comes to supporting causes they believe in. We've seen benefit concerts where proceeds go to charitable organizations, limited-edition merchandise drops tied to fundraising campaigns, and intimate storytelling sessions where artists share personal journeys to raise awareness for mental health or recovery. Some artists have auctioned personal memorabilia or hosted exclusive listening events, donating the proceeds to MusiCares and other charities. These efforts not only raise funds but also spark vital conversations about issues affecting the music community. I’ll mention a cool one upcoming in April, Post Malone is releasing a tribute to Nirvana on a yellow vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2025.  We are so honored that MusiCares will receive 100% of proceeds for our Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services work.

AvA: In an industry that seems glamorous from the outside, what are some of the most overlooked struggles artists face, and how does MusiCares step in to support?

Segura: While the music industry often appears glamorous, many music professionals face significant challenges that go unseen. Financial instability, mental health struggles, addiction, and lack of access to healthcare are some of the most common issues discussed. Meanwhile, often overlooked are preventative health measures. MusiCares’ 2024 Wellness in Music survey showed that 78% of respondents had not had a hearing exam in the last year, 70% of those 45 and older had not received a colonoscopy, and over half of age-appropriate women had not received a mammogram in the last year.  Basic health upkeep is often ignored when the pressures of touring, inconsistent income, and the demands of staying relevant in a competitive field become priorities.

MusiCares steps in by offering comprehensive support systems—including preventative health clinics, mental health and addiction recovery services, emergency financial grants, and medical care access. Our goal is to ensure that music professionals know they’re not alone and that there’s a dedicated organization ready to support them.

AvA: For young professionals looking to make a difference, what’s the easiest way to start blending philanthropy as they progress in their careers?

Segura: I love this question!  For me finding my “why” was so important.  Simon Sinek’s work and books, including “Start with Why” and “Leaders Eat Last” is an easy place to begin for young professionals.  In my experience, everyone’s quality of life directly relates to them discovering what cause, challenge, issue they care about.  I can’t fathom how people spend their lives at jobs that aren’t tied to their personal passion.  I urge young professionals to invest their energy into finding their own unique way to make a difference in this world.  For me, if my work was not heart driven, I could never have dedicated the kind of effort and patience required to advance in my career.

AvA: One piece of advice to someone just starting their career?

Segura: Our greatest challenges are often the moments of greatest growth.  Learn from everything, including what you don’t like.  Don’t give up or quit too soon, just search harder for the lesson. There will always be an upside even if you can’t see it at first.  Only quit when you are no longer growing, or your situation is otherwise unhealthy.

This magnet has always been on my fridge no matter where I lived: ‘Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.” Horace Greenly

AvA: If you had to change careers (outside of the Entertainment Industry) what would you do? (Answers have ranged from nature photographer to detective to geologist to private chef). 

Segura: If I wasn’t doing philanthropy in entertainment, I would be doing philanthropy in another arena such as health, environment, or women & children services.

AvA: Book or podcast recommendation?

Segura: I recently had a great book recommended to me, so now I want to share it with more people: ‘The Second Mountain’ by David Brooks

👋 See you back here on Tuesday for a brand new selection of Entertainment jobs

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This newsletter is written by Warner Bailey and edited by Riley Furey

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