Music publishing business targets emerging Indian market

Kycker, a Sheffield-based company helping musicians distribute their music to major online stores, is expanding into India, with support from the India Growth Champions Scheme run by the Sheffield City Region.

As one of a select number of companies chosen to join the India Growth Champions Scheme, run in partnership with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), Kycker has set its sights on this nation as an emerging market with lucrative opportunities.

As part of the scheme, Kycker took advantage of a market intelligence study, which enabled the company to better understand the digital music ecosystem in India.

The study researched musicians, music producers, independent labels, distributors and sound engineers in India and created a list of potential partners for Kycker.

The business has since carried out discussions with some of these partners, which has led to an Indian music distribution company confirming its interest in a commercial licensing deal.

Frank Wilkes, director of Kycker, said: “We’re excited about the huge opportunities that are opening up to us in India – particularly with the opportunity to secure our first Indian licensing deal.

“The market intelligence study gave us a great insight into the way the music industry works in India, the country’s legislation and industry competitors.

“We see huge potential in India and South East Asia for our music distribution service.”

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region, said: “Kycker represents some of South Yorkshire’s greatest strengths – bringing together a powerful mix of innovation, technology, and culture.

“We developed our India Growth Champions program to help companies break into a huge and increasingly important part of the global economy. It’s great to have Kycker be part of it.”

Kycker has around 1,800 artists worldwide using its platform, including 100 in South Yorkshire.

The data-driven application allows artists to upload their own audio and video content and earn royalties from their gigs, whilst putting them front of all the major stores such as Apple Music and Spotify.

The system is free for artists to use who could start to earn a regular income from their work straightaway.

Kycker has been able to sign a number of budding artists before they came to the attention of the major music distributors.

The business has plans to expand in 2021, by creating six new high value positions in South Yorkshire in web development and customer services.

Wilkes added: “We’re part of an emerging music tech hub here in Sheffield – which will hopefully attract other like-minded music businesses and musicians to relocate here.

“Just as the big rock bands like Def Leppard were attracted to the venues of Sheffield in the 70s, now we want music industry innovators and artists to be attracted here, because it’s where the latest technology is being developed and where they can really make a name for themselves.

“The music industry has worked in the same way for a long time, whereas with Kycker, artists can now be in charge of their own destiny.”

Kevin McCole, managing director at UKIBC, said: “We are happy to support Kycker in its India endeavours through the India Growth Champions Scheme, working with Sheffield City Region.

“It is great to see Kycker’s ongoing success to enter the India market, bringing fresh innovation to India.”