The music industry is undergoing rapid transformation. From artificial intelligence to decentralized technologies and immersive listening experiences, new forces are redefining how music is created, shared, and experienced. For an organization like GEMA—one of the world’s leading music rights societies—this level of change presents both challenge and opportunity.
Rather than simply react to disruption, GEMA has made the strategic choice to lead it. Through a combination of forward-looking thinking and a commitment to collaboration, GEMA is using foresight and open innovation to help shape the future of music. A key milestone in this journey is the launch of their publicly available trend and technology radar, developed on the FIBRES foresight platform.
A proactive approach to industry change
GEMA’s mission is to support music creators and ensure the fair compensation of their work. As the tools and platforms of music evolve, this mission demands new capabilities. The GEMA innovation team has taken a structured approach to future thinking by actively scanning for emerging signals, evaluating the implications of new technologies, and sharing their findings with internal and external stakeholders.
Foresight is not a new concept in strategy, but for GEMA, it plays a particularly vital role. The organization sees foresight not just as a planning tool, but as a way to engage in more meaningful dialogue with innovators, startups, and thought leaders across the music and tech landscapes. “The music industry isn’t just being disrupted—it’s being reimagined. We want to be part of shaping that future, not just responding to it,” says Anna-Lena Eggensberger, Data Analyst at GEMA.
Mapping the future with a public trend radar
At the core of GEMA’s foresight initiative is an interactive trend and technology radar, created using the FIBRES foresight platform. This radar captures and organizes the key trends GEMA is monitoring—ranging from artificial intelligence in music production to decentralized licensing models and new forms of immersive audio experiences.
The radar is not only visually intuitive; it also reflects the varying levels of maturity of different trends. Some are already being implemented, while others remain in an exploratory phase. By plotting these developments along a timeline, GEMA makes it easier for teams—and the broader public—to understand where to focus next.
The decision to make the radar public is also a strategic one. It reflects GEMA’s open innovation philosophy and their desire to foster collaboration across industries. “Our radar is a tool for dialogue. It’s an open invitation to startups, researchers, other CMO’s and innovators to co-create the future of music together,” says Chinyere Weiderer, Technology Partnership Manager at GEMA.
Creating value through collaboration
GEMA’s radar is more than an internal resource; it’s also a public call to action. On their open innovation website, they invite a wide range of partners—startups, SMEs, research groups, and individual innovators—to contribute their ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Their focus areas are broad yet specific: innovations that empower music creators in their daily work and careers; tools that enhance how GEMA interacts with its members and customers; data-driven solutions for analytics and evaluation; and generally, any ideas that successfully bring together culture, creativity, and technology.
This inclusive approach shows how GEMA is not only anticipating the future but also helping to shape it in partnership with others.
Supported by foresight tools that scale
The radar and its underlying foresight work are powered by FIBRES, a platform that enables continuous trend tracking, collaboration, and strategic alignment. For GEMA, FIBRES offered a simple yet powerful way to consolidate insights, engage different teams, and build a shared understanding of future developments.
Instead of relying on static reports or siloed analysis, GEMA can now maintain a living foresight process—one that evolves alongside the industry and creates a common language for discussing change. FIBRES also allows them to open up selected insights to external audiences without compromising internal processes. As Chinyere Weiderer puts it, “Foresight doesn’t have to be complicated. With FIBRES, we were able to launch our radar fast, keep it dynamic, and use it to drive meaningful conversations.”
Building a future-ready organization
GEMA’s public trend radar is a clear expression of their strategic foresight and their belief in the power of open innovation. It provides a model for how organizations can navigate uncertainty—not by retreating into analysis, but by opening up, reaching out, and staying curious.
For other organizations looking to build similar capabilities, GEMA’s journey shows that it is entirely possible to start small, build momentum, and quickly create meaningful outcomes. With the right mindset and the right tools, foresight becomes more than a discipline—it becomes part of how you lead.
For more insights, you can explore GEMA’s public trend radar and visit their open innovation site. To learn more about how FIBRES can support your own foresight work, why not book a demo or explore the features of the foresight platform.
Let’s shape the future—intentionally and together.
