DDEX introduces new MEAD format to enrich metadata

By Emmanuel Legrand

DDEX, the international standards-setting organisation, has adoptedthe Media Enrichment and Description (MEAD) standard that will enhance the metadata available on each title, providing a better experience for consumers. 

MEAD enables support for additional types of metadata that do not appear in Electronic Release Notification(ERN) message which contains the core data about releases that labels and distributors provide to DSPs (artist name, track title, and duration). MEAD will allow for over 30 types of additional data such as lyrics, reviews, historic chart positions, and focus track information to be communicated through the supply chain.

  DDEX said the standard will support new service options, in particular those linked to smart devices, and marketing opportunities, "ultimately improving the consumer experience for search and discovery."

Adapting metadata standards

  MEAD was initiated at the annual DDEX Plenaries in the Fall of 2017, which included representatives from various stakeholders — including Apple, Amazon, Universal Music Group, Spotify, Warner Music Group, ASCAP,  BMI, Pandora, and around 30 other experts covering everything from classical rights to copyright law — to brainstorm on how to improve data exchange among all companies that provide metadata. 

DDEX said that MEAD was developed at "an exceptional speed for a new standard" since it only took two years to bring the standard to market.

  “As music distribution and consumption evolves, so too must our metadata standards. Today, music reaches more people in more places than ever before, and it is imperative that we provide the data necessary to help listeners make connections and drive discovery,” said MarkIsherwood, from the Secretariat of DDEX. “The MEAD standard is the first step in giving consumers what they are demanding: richer context that lets them find what they want.”