Observed Signal · Sep 29, 2026 · Interview · Source: Hello Partner · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
LICKD Founder Talks Mainstream Music Licensing for Brands
In an interview at the Global Influencer Marketing Awards 2026, Paul Sampson, founder and CEO of music licensing platform LICKD, discussed how the platform enables content creators and brands to use mainstream commercial music legally. LICKD, described as 'Spotify for content creators,' bridges the gap between major record labels and digital video producers, allowing use of tracks by artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa without copyright issues. The company's 'LICKD for Brands' solution addresses the billion-dollar lawsuit problem between the music industry and brands on social media. Sampson highlighted that recognizable music can increase engagement on TikTok and Instagram by 70-100%, boosting brand recall and purchase intent.
The article highlights a solution for music licensing in influencer marketing, a growing concern for brands. It provides practical insights into engagement benefits but is primarily an interview discussing existing capabilities rather than a major industry shift.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- LICKD launched as the world's first mainstream music licensing platform for online content creators.
- LICKD for Brands addresses a problem of $1 billion in lawsuits between the music industry and brands over music misuse on TikTok and Instagram in the last four years.
- Using recognizable music on TikTok and Instagram can increase engagement by 70% to 100%.
- Major artists available through LICKD include Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Bruno Mars.
- LICKD's platform enables brands to clear commercial music rights, reducing lengthy legal negotiations.
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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