The Musical Combat Alliance of Fraud (MFFA) has appointed Michael Levan as its inaugural executive director.
Levan will manage strategic initiatives and the overall operations of the Alliance from Washington, D.C.
Established in June 2023, several companies from the global music industry, known as the “United Front,” formed a union to combat fraud targeting streaming services.
Levan brings “reliable experience in government relations and advocacy,” reports Org. Most recently, he served as the managing director of state and federal laws at the Sound Recording Academy.
Participants in the battle against fraud include CD Baby and Fuga, along with their parent company City Center, Tunkor, and the parent company Believe, Amazon Music, Spotify, Empire, Symphonic, and United Masters.
The organization has also recently welcomed new members, including YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Meta, OnePM, STEM, Revelation, and Too Lost.
Collaborative Efforts Against Fraud
The MFFA claims that this initiative represents “the first registered cross-platform collaboration” aimed at tackling fraud. The alliance stated that one of its primary achievements since inception has been the creation of a “reliable general database of identified fraudulent markers across multiple platforms and members.”
The database, developed in collaboration with the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA), enables MFFA members to securely share and access “critical data” regarding fraudulent activities anonymously.
According to MFFA, this data exchange initiative “allows the Alliance to pool resources and knowledge, providing a unified approach to identifying, tracking, and addressing real-time fraud.”
“Michael’s extensive experience in government relations, political advocacy, and stakeholder partnerships makes him the ideal leader to steer the MFFA mission.”
Andrei Glison, Tunkor
Andrei Glison, CEO of Tunecore, remarked: “We are thrilled to welcome Michael Levan as the first executive director of the Musical Combat Alliance against Fraud.
“When Tunecore, together with City Center, co-founded the Union for Music Fraud, our goal was to unite the music industry, foster collaboration, and implement more intelligent and effective actions to combat fraud in all its forms.
“Michael’s extensive background in government relations, political advocacy, and stakeholder collaborations makes him a perfect fit to lead the MFFA mission. His leadership and vision will be crucial as we work towards a fairer and more transparent music industry.”
“As streaming fraud increasingly threatens the livelihoods of artists and rights holders, the efforts of the alliance have never been more vital.”
Michael Levan, MFFA
Michael Levan, executive director of MFFA, stated: “As streaming fraud increasingly jeopardizes the livelihoods of artists and rights holders and undermines the integrity of the music economy, the work of the alliance has never been more crucial.
“I am excited to lead this distinguished group of industry leaders in our mission to foster a fairer, safer, and more transparent music ecosystem. Together, we will continue to build on our progress, enhance our collaboration, and promote effective solutions that safeguard artists, ensuring they receive rightful compensation for their work.”
Darren Owen, Vice President of Fuga, noted: “As founding members of the MFFA, Fuga and Downtown have collaborated closely with early members to establish the best approach for integrating with the NCFTA API, and to help shape the structure and user-friendliness of the system to achieve the goals set forth by MFFA.
Ama Walton, EVP and General Counsel at SoundCloud, added: “Justice and transparency are fundamental to our mission. By joining the fraud alliance, we reinforce our commitment to supporting artists and contributing to a safer, more stable music industry. The fight against streaming fraud requires united efforts, and we are proud to stand together to maintain authenticity and ensure that artists receive the compensation they deserve.”
The portion of Sabin, president of the Music Business Association, expressed: “Music Biz is honored to have been part of witnessing the growth of this important industry alliance, and we believe that Michael is the perfect leader to guide the alliance into the future.”
Lucas focuses on the interaction between music and society. He specializes in how music influences and reflects cultures, analyzing the role of sound in social, political, and cultural events around the world.
