Bytedance

• Sony just shattered a TikTok record–with a little help from 20 million comments
• Music promoters are paying to put songs in TikTok videos. The FTC says creators might not have to disclose those deals.

  Billboard recently took a deep dive into the world of "sound campaigns," where musicians, record labels, and/or promoters pay to have music tracks used in TikTok videos. It spoke to sources familiar with the matter, including one major label marketer who, based on their experience, believes that "75% of popular songs on TikTok started with a creator marketing campaign."

  
• A quarter of indie artists now put their music straight on TikTok–no label required

  According to MIDiA's most recent music economy report, a full quarter of musicians upload their songs directly to TikTok and other platforms, completely bypassing distributors, labels, and even streaming services like Spotify. These musicians clearly recognize that TikTok can make songs go megaviral, whether that's older tracks having a resurgence thanks to a trendy dance or new songs becoming a meme-y earworm, and see the platform as a way to distribute their art directly to fans, without a middleman taking a cut of their revenue (aside from TikTok's own cut of their ad dollars, of course).

  
• Watch out, Google: TikTok wants to be a “discovery engine” for travelers

  The platform's Director of Travel, Tech, and Telcom, Danielle Johnson, just told Skift it sees itself as a "discovery engine" that "sparks interest in new destinations and drives visits."

  
• Yes, TikTok is actually getting people to movie theaters
• TikTok is a top spot for hot political goss
• Hungry and out of cash? Pay for your pizza with a TikTok.
• Your favorite TikTok song of the summer is probably an indie hit
• You can now buy plane tickets on TikTok
• Hollywood turns to TikTok to fill seats in empty theaters—and it seems like it’s working
• Kamala Harris is having a moment on TikTok. Could it put her in the White House?
• TikTok just employed a whole bunch of thumbnail designers