PPL has partnered with the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI), a groundbreaking global programme designed to unlock the full economic potential of music and position it as a driver of sustainable development.
MEDI, led by the Center for Music Ecosystems (CME) and Global Citizen, is the world’s first data driven framework to map music’s potential to fight global poverty and promote responsible and healthy economic development. Supported by organisations including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Universal Music Group (UMG), UN agencies, national governments and over 50 collective management organisations, MEDI aims to create the conditions for music to thrive in every country.
Despite the recorded music industry being valued at $47.2 billion, many markets lack the basic infrastructure – such as copyright regulation, enforcement and creative economy investment – needed for music to function as a viable economic engine. MEDI aims to change this by working with global partners to gather robust data, guide policy development and build the foundations required for local music ecosystems to grow.
Through a combination of comprehensive market studies, developing a global data portal, government‑ready research, and a new MEDI Champions Network of senior political leaders, the initiative is working country‑by‑country to demonstrate how music can create jobs, attract investment and help reduce poverty. MEDI’s initial report, ‘We Need Tracks Before We Have Trains’, co-written with economist Will Page, is available here and here is a list to view the country data portal.
PPL’s involvement adds to MEDI’s network of industry data partners, which includes IFPI, ICMP, Music in Africa Foundation and collective management organisations worldwide. A complete list can be found here.
As a partner, PPL will contribute expertise and data to support MEDI’s mission, helping build a clearer picture of how music can drive jobs, growth and development around the world.
