For the music industry in the 21st century, the only constant is change, as technology continues to disrupt the medium.

With streaming’s high-growth phase now decelerating, a period of brief stability is over. The growth of social music consumption, the threat and opportunity of A.I. and innovation in creative services and creative tech are all disrupting the status quo.

Birthed through the growth of music streaming and the technological transformations in music commerce, Clifton Consults helps clients shape, adapt and optimise their strategy to succeed in this complex landscape.

Clifton Consults lists Universal Music, Warner Music, BMG, Edition Records and vinyl start-ups Press On Vinyl and Fairsound among its clients.

Founder Patrick Clifton has over 25 years’ experience working in both music and technology, experience which is brought to bear for clients looking to bridge the often contrasting cultures of these distinct fields of business. His career started in the independent music sector where he worked at Independiente, Zomba and Blue Mountain Music as well as seminal nightclub, The End. He joined Amazon in Seattle in 2011, relocating to the UK in 2012. Over the next ten years he helped transform Amazon’s music business in the UK, where he launched the firm’s music streaming service and helped to grow it to take the position as number two in the market behind Spotify. In 2019 Patrick was appointed Head of Music for UK, Australia and New Zealand, a general management role overseeing Amazon’s streaming, download and retail businesses.

Patrick left Amazon in 2022 to take a leadership role in the vinyl records industry. He set up Clifton Consults in 2023.