For the second year running, Vevo has teamed up with MBW to announce its Artists to Watch list for 2019.
We’ll be rolling out further details on this year’s 20 acts over the coming days but first, in a change to previous practice, here is the list in full and upfront:
Vevo’s Artists to Watch 2019 (ATW) is the annual culmination of a year-round DSCVR programme – an initiative created specifically to shine a spotlight on emerging talent from all genres and from around the world, which captures two exclusive performances with each artist.
Vevo’s head of content, programming and marketing, JP Evangelista, says: “DSCVR is a hugely important part of our content offering and ATW is its flagship moment, focusing specifically on artists we’re very bullish about for the year ahead.
“We have made some changes this year, having looked at what we do well and what we could do better, and I think the result is a much stronger roll-out of content and an even greater opportunity for our featured artists.
“We’ve given the whole package far more visual consistency and, as part of that, we’ve also increased the presence and profile of the artists themselves within what we do.
“The enhancements we made this year have resulted in really positive viewer retention figures, with average engagement lasting longer.”
JP Evangelista, Vevo
“Importantly, we’ve also significantly improved the mobile proposition. Two thirds of our views were mobile and, previously, we just weren’t doing well enough in that space. The enhancements we made this year have resulted in really positive viewer retention figures, with average engagement lasting longer.
“Capitalizing on our audience of DSCVR subscribers we have also been thinking about how this content can live best in the YouTube environment; we’re being more regular and consistent in the posting of content, we’ve improved our SEO, we’re looking at growth of 5x or 6x in terms of DSCVR views this year. That will translate into a stronger profile and opportunity for those on our Artists to Watch list.”
Looking at this year’s list, Evangelista points out that the 2019 line-up is “more diverse and across the board in terms of genres” than ever before.
He explained that Vevo has taken a truly global approach to its A&R/selection process, moving away from a tendency to focus on the UK and the US, and highlighting more artists from Latin America, mainland Europe and beyond.
“A lot of brands and companies produce tip-lists at this time of year, but I believe that Vevo’s ATW brings a unique visual component to an artist’s marketing campaign. It is a ‘proof of talent’ platform, it allows a sizeable global audience to see artists perform and impress.”
Over the coming weeks, MBW will be sharing more details on each artist as well as providing you with content showcasing their talents.Music Business Worldwide
