Digital Boosts 2008 Sales To New Mark
"Overall music sales hit a new record in 2008, with over 1.5 billion units sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The Nielsen Company's annual year-end music industry report, released today, reveals that combined sales of albums, singles, music videos and digital tracks increased 10.5% over 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The report covers purchases made during the 52 weeks between Dec. 31, 2007 to Dec. 28, 2008.
Digital tracks posted a 27% gain on their own to over a billion units sold in 2008, a new record. Digital albums grew 32% to 65.8 million units, also a new high. The 2008 numbers dragged when physical product was accounted. Combined sales of albums on CD, tape, vinyl and digital download were down 14% over the year prior, from 500.5 million units to 428.4 million. When track-equivalent albums are figured in, with ten digital tracks counting as an album, the decrease comes to 8.5%.
On a brighter note, total music purchases across all product categories went over 65 million units in the last week of 2008, making it the biggest music sales week in Nielsen SoundScan history." [Billboard]
Scramble over Woolies’ stock
"Companies including EMI and Microsoft are preparing legal action against the administrators of Woolworths to claw back millions of pounds of stock. Although the shelves in its stores are emptying fast, Woolies’ distribution arm, Entertainment UK (EUK), still has CDs, DVDs and computer games worth tens of millions of pounds in its warehouses.
Under “retention of title” rules, suppliers can claim back their own stock if it has not been paid for but, more broadly, they can can claim stock that has been paid for in lieu of debts.
That gives them the chance to resell the merchandise and prevent the administrator, Deloitte, offloading it cheaply." [RecordoftheDay]
Music sales up 10% in 2008, thanks to downloads (and vinyl)
"The music industry finished 2008 with positive sales growth numbers overall, but the grim CD death march continues apace. Overall unit purchases of music in the US increased by 10.5 percent year-over-year since 2007, according to new data released by Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen BDS, and Nielsen RingScan, but the growth is coming completely from downloads—and from vinyl.
More than 1.5 billion songs were sold during 2008, accounting for the 10.5 percent growth since the previous year. One billion digital tracks were sold online, which indicated 27 percent growth since 2007. But the trend toward digital singles continues to hurt full CD album sales—428 million albums (including LPs, CDs, and online albums) were sold in 2008, down 14 percent from the year before." [ArsTechnica]
L’Internet ne compense pas la chute des CD
"L’industrie du disque a subi une nouvelle année difficile en 2008, le développement des techniques de téléchargement légal ne parvenant pas à compenser la chute des ventes de CD, selon l’agence spécialisée Nielsen.
Aux Etats-Unis les ventes totales d’albums sur CD, sur internet, et en vinyle ont accusé un recul de 14 %, à 428,4 millions d’unités, contre 500,5 millions en 2007. En prenant en compte la vente de chansons à l’unité sur internet, le recul atteint encore 8,5 % (535,4 millions contre 584,9 millions d’unités), selon Nielsen.
Les ventes de CD représentant encore plus de 80 % du chiffre d’affaires du secteur, la désaffection des consommateurs pour les disquaires est un véritable défi pour les éditeurs, qui doivent à la fois lutter contre le piratage et trouver une façon satisfaisante de monétiser les téléchargements." [LeSoir]
Facebook Removes Project Playlist
"Facebook today has also removed access to the Project Playlist service from the popular social networking site, citing a request from the RIAA. A Facebook statement says the company hopes to resolve the situation so that the Project Playlist service eventually can resume service on the site, but that it will block access until the proper label deals can be established.
Just days after getting banned from MySpace, Project Playlist has struck a licensing deal with Sony BMG. The deal gives Project Playlist users direct access to the Sony BMG catalog of both music tracks and videos. Financial details were not disclosed.
The major-label licensing deal is a big step forward for the playlist-sharing service, which is being sued by the other three major labels - Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and EMI Music - as well as the RIAA for copyright infringement. Project Playlist allows users to upload music to create playlists that other users can then stream, but until the Sony BMG deal has done so without paying labels a licensing fee." [Billboard]
Showing posts with label Woolworths Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Woolworths Group. Show all posts
12/15/08
Music News Bulletin - 15/12/08
Distributor EUK Winds Down, 700 Jobs Cut
"Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators. EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12). EUK's customers include entertainment retailer Zavvi and mass merchants Sainsbury and Asda as well as Woolworths. However, stores were forced to seek alternative supplies when EUK failed to provide key titles by Take That and Britney Spears on Dec. 1." [BillBoard]
EUK to be wound down
"Administrators are to wind down EUK after Deloitte failed to find a buyer for the distributor. A skeleton staff of 375 employees will stay on at EUK to help with the process of winding down but the move means the immediate loss of 700 jobs.
Staff were told this morning that Deloitte had failed to find a buyer for EUK, after an interested party pulled out earlier in the week. Dan Butters, joint administrator and reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, says, “Regrettably, despite our continued efforts, we have been unable to identify a suitable buyer for the business. Whilst we will continue to consider offers for the sale of the business as a going concern, we will now focus on realising value from the company’s assets." [MusicWeek]
ERA calls for calm
"The Entertainment Retailers Association has called on labels to support music retail in the wake of the crisis at Woolworths/EUK and the ongoing problems of Zavvi.
Administrator Deloitte said last Friday that it was winding down EUK, after failing to find a buyer, while Woolworths’ stores embarked last week on a whirlwind “closing-down” sale. Meanwhile, Zavvi was forced to deny stories that its creditors had called in an emergency restructuring team.
ERA, which represents retailers of music, video, DVD and computer games, is warning that unless suppliers continue to trade on normal credit terms with the retailers caught up in these difficult situations, they could create further difficulties in the market." [MusicWeek]
AIM Lawyers Cancel Pinnacle Contracts
“Independent labels' trade body AIM's lawyers have written to the administrators of Pinnacle terminating dozens of labels' contracts with the distributor.
The independent distributor based in Sidcup, Kent went into administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. - on Dec. 3. AIM held an emergency meeting at is west London HQ yesterday for labels affected.
A letter has now been sent on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward. The letter states that the 92 labels are terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asks for confirmation that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [BillBoard]
Pinnacle Administration
“Administrators were appointed on Wednesday 3rd December in respect of Pinnacle, one of the UK’s oldest and largest independent distributors. An emergency meeting was held at AIM (The Association of Independent Music), and we have appointed Martyn Bailey from Forbes Anderson Free and barrister Philip Flower to take appropriate action.
A letter has been sent today on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asking for confirmation from the administrators that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [RecordOfTheDay]
"Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators. EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12). EUK's customers include entertainment retailer Zavvi and mass merchants Sainsbury and Asda as well as Woolworths. However, stores were forced to seek alternative supplies when EUK failed to provide key titles by Take That and Britney Spears on Dec. 1." [BillBoard]
EUK to be wound down
"Administrators are to wind down EUK after Deloitte failed to find a buyer for the distributor. A skeleton staff of 375 employees will stay on at EUK to help with the process of winding down but the move means the immediate loss of 700 jobs.
Staff were told this morning that Deloitte had failed to find a buyer for EUK, after an interested party pulled out earlier in the week. Dan Butters, joint administrator and reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, says, “Regrettably, despite our continued efforts, we have been unable to identify a suitable buyer for the business. Whilst we will continue to consider offers for the sale of the business as a going concern, we will now focus on realising value from the company’s assets." [MusicWeek]
ERA calls for calm
"The Entertainment Retailers Association has called on labels to support music retail in the wake of the crisis at Woolworths/EUK and the ongoing problems of Zavvi.
Administrator Deloitte said last Friday that it was winding down EUK, after failing to find a buyer, while Woolworths’ stores embarked last week on a whirlwind “closing-down” sale. Meanwhile, Zavvi was forced to deny stories that its creditors had called in an emergency restructuring team.
ERA, which represents retailers of music, video, DVD and computer games, is warning that unless suppliers continue to trade on normal credit terms with the retailers caught up in these difficult situations, they could create further difficulties in the market." [MusicWeek]
AIM Lawyers Cancel Pinnacle Contracts
“Independent labels' trade body AIM's lawyers have written to the administrators of Pinnacle terminating dozens of labels' contracts with the distributor.
The independent distributor based in Sidcup, Kent went into administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. - on Dec. 3. AIM held an emergency meeting at is west London HQ yesterday for labels affected.
A letter has now been sent on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward. The letter states that the 92 labels are terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asks for confirmation that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [BillBoard]
Pinnacle Administration
“Administrators were appointed on Wednesday 3rd December in respect of Pinnacle, one of the UK’s oldest and largest independent distributors. An emergency meeting was held at AIM (The Association of Independent Music), and we have appointed Martyn Bailey from Forbes Anderson Free and barrister Philip Flower to take appropriate action.
A letter has been sent today on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asking for confirmation from the administrators that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [RecordOfTheDay]
11/19/08
Music News Bulletin - 19/11/08
Distributor EUK Winds Down, 700 Jobs Cut
“Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators.
EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12).” [BillBoard]
GEMA to join ICE
“GEMA, the German music copyright society, today confirmed that it is actively exploring opportunities to join ICE - the shared back-office service centre for collective rights organisations.
Currently ICE is a joint venture between the MCPS-PRS Alliance and the Swedish society STIM, but GEMA has been carrying out due diligence on the organisation over the past six months and this will continue with a view to GEMA potentially becoming a third partner in the venture.
GEMA’s CEO Harald Heker says a strong back-office has always provided the basis for GEMA's operations. “We believe that a potential participation in ICE, alongside the Alliance and STIM, could provide an important strategic alliance to enable a leap forward in business quality, efficiency and effectiveness."
The Alliance’s CEO Steve Porter adds, the strategic, operational and business logic behind ICE is compelling and gets stronger as new partners and customers join.” [MusicWeek]
GEMA considering joining ICE partnership
“German publishing collecting society GEMA has said it is looking into joining MCPS-PRS and Swedish collecting society STIM's ICE alliance. ICE is a shared admin centre utilised by both the UK and Swedish royalty bodies. GEMA say they have been monitoring how ICE works and the benefits it delivers to MCPS-PRS and STIM for the last six months, and its CEO, Harald Heker, has told Music Week: "We believe that a potential participation in ICE, alongside the Alliance and STIM, could provide an important strategic alliance to enable a leap forward in business quality, efficiency and effectiveness".” [CMUDaily]
EMI.COM launches
“EMI today beta launch their new website EMI.com, which is part of the major record company's attempts to forge closer connections directly with consumers. The site aims to be much more content rich than your average record label website, providing access to full track previews, videos, photos, biographies and whatnot from artists from across the EMI empire. There's also a music recommendation service which recommends artists based on your music preferences - and will make recommendations based on liking artists not signed to EMI as well as those on the label.
Although in some ways just an enhanced version of the kind of group-wide major label sites operated by Sony and Universal (and EMI, for that matter, whose now defunct The Raft website was always more content rich than most label sites), for EMI the EMI.com project is much bigger than that. Signing up and engaging consumers on a regular basis is much more part of the mix, presumably with a view to building relationships with music fans so they can sell recordings and other music-based products directly to them, circumventing, to a point, other retailers and download stores. Better direct customer relations will also strengthen EMI's offer to new artists, because they have a ready made network of profiled music fans they can promote new singings to.” [CMUDaily]
“Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators.
EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12).” [BillBoard]
GEMA to join ICE
“GEMA, the German music copyright society, today confirmed that it is actively exploring opportunities to join ICE - the shared back-office service centre for collective rights organisations.
Currently ICE is a joint venture between the MCPS-PRS Alliance and the Swedish society STIM, but GEMA has been carrying out due diligence on the organisation over the past six months and this will continue with a view to GEMA potentially becoming a third partner in the venture.
GEMA’s CEO Harald Heker says a strong back-office has always provided the basis for GEMA's operations. “We believe that a potential participation in ICE, alongside the Alliance and STIM, could provide an important strategic alliance to enable a leap forward in business quality, efficiency and effectiveness."
The Alliance’s CEO Steve Porter adds, the strategic, operational and business logic behind ICE is compelling and gets stronger as new partners and customers join.” [MusicWeek]
GEMA considering joining ICE partnership
“German publishing collecting society GEMA has said it is looking into joining MCPS-PRS and Swedish collecting society STIM's ICE alliance. ICE is a shared admin centre utilised by both the UK and Swedish royalty bodies. GEMA say they have been monitoring how ICE works and the benefits it delivers to MCPS-PRS and STIM for the last six months, and its CEO, Harald Heker, has told Music Week: "We believe that a potential participation in ICE, alongside the Alliance and STIM, could provide an important strategic alliance to enable a leap forward in business quality, efficiency and effectiveness".” [CMUDaily]
EMI.COM launches
“EMI today beta launch their new website EMI.com, which is part of the major record company's attempts to forge closer connections directly with consumers. The site aims to be much more content rich than your average record label website, providing access to full track previews, videos, photos, biographies and whatnot from artists from across the EMI empire. There's also a music recommendation service which recommends artists based on your music preferences - and will make recommendations based on liking artists not signed to EMI as well as those on the label.
Although in some ways just an enhanced version of the kind of group-wide major label sites operated by Sony and Universal (and EMI, for that matter, whose now defunct The Raft website was always more content rich than most label sites), for EMI the EMI.com project is much bigger than that. Signing up and engaging consumers on a regular basis is much more part of the mix, presumably with a view to building relationships with music fans so they can sell recordings and other music-based products directly to them, circumventing, to a point, other retailers and download stores. Better direct customer relations will also strengthen EMI's offer to new artists, because they have a ready made network of profiled music fans they can promote new singings to.” [CMUDaily]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
