EMI will unveil plans to radically re-structure its business today, splitting EMI Music into three business units: new music, catalogue and music services
"EMI Music chief executive Elio Leoni-Sceti is meeting staff today to unveil the plan.
He will also report half-year results, which show that EMI Music made £59m of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the six months to September 30, compared with a loss of £14m last year.
The date is the first in a series of strategy meetings, which will take in offices in LA, New York and Milan, to unveil the plans to key territories.
It will also be the first time that Elio Leoni-Sceti, who was appointed chief executive of EMI’s recorded music division in July, meets many of his staff" [MusicWeek] [Billboard] [CMUDaily]
Sony DRM-Free To iTunes?
"The Apple rumor du jour is that Sony Music Entertainment will license DRM-free tracks to iTunes, under the iTunes Plus program. The speculation began on Apple blog 9to5mac.com, which provides very little information other than hinting its more than just a hunch.
A Sony Music spokesperson did immediately respond to requests for comment.
To date, EMI Music Group is the only major label licensing DRM-free tracks to iTunes. The others license DRM-free to other services, notably Amazon.com, but have resisted doing the same in iTunes." [Billboard]
Is the Datz Music Lounge Worth the Money?
"Of all the new music services, the most innovative is Datz Music Lounge, which UK consumers can buy for £99.99 per year. Its interface is nothing special. There is no editorial content, no lists, no hints that Datz is acting as a gatekeeper of any kind. What is so innovative is its revenue model, and what is amazing is that many labels -- including two majors -- have signed on.
Datz allows for unlimited access to its catalog of music. Subscribers get MP3 downloads of any song on the site. There are no restrictions, no protections. Subscribers keep everything they download. The revenue model is a great leap of faith from the typical per-track/per-album model." [Coolfer]
LIVE NATION'S ARTIST WEBSITE COMPANY TO SELL MAJOR-LABEL MP3S
"More digital, and according to Digital Music News three of the four majors - EMI, Sony and Universal - have licensed their DRM-free MP3 catalogues to Live Nation's US-based Musictoday outfit which operates websites and merchandise stores from numerous artists, including The Rolling Stones, Eminem, Dave Matthews Band and Christina Aguilera. It means artists signed to those majors whose official online shops are managed by Musictoday will be able to sell DRM-free MP3s directly to fans. Musictoday's Chas Patrizia told DMN: "We're going to allow artists to control the presentation of their content; it's a totally different experience. They don't have to go to iTunes, they can go directly to the artist. Most of our bigger artists have opted in"." [CMUDaily]
11/14/08
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 14/11/08
Feargal Sharkey: The problem of illegal file-sharing has become a global one but the way governments go about tackling it changes from country to country.
"In the UK, internet service providers (ISPs) have recently voluntarily agreed to engage and educate their customers about file-sharing.
Virgin Media is one of the most recent ISPs to write to customers whose net connection may have been used to download unlicensed content.
However, coming up with a logical and viable solution is proving difficult because of the fast pace of technological change." [BBC]
The BPI is preparing a membership briefing paper after label representatives aired concerns that the financial insecurity surrounding EUK is creating worry among the independent community during the all-important quarter four period.
"Despite EUK’s assurances that it has sufficient cash flow to maintain all its obligations throughout the final quarter, questions have remained over the limited bargaining power independent labels wield with EUK and the increased risk and financial exposure the situation has led to among smaller businesses.
BPI director of independent member services Julian Wall says that “there is a heightened level of concern at the moment amongst a spread of the independent BPI member labels”." [MusicWeek]
NAPSTER JUDGE CALLS FOR ALL-INTEREST COPYRIGHT BODY
"The judge who oversaw the original copyright infringement case against Napster, back in the days when Napster was a P2P network and enemy number one in the record industry, has said he thinks there should be a new copyright body in the US made up of representatives of all interested parties, including the public, to issue blanket licences, negotiate and set standard royalties and adopt rules and regulations to help enforce content owner's rights." [CMUDaily]
DUTCH LIVE MUSIC CONFERENCE TO PRECEDE MIDEM
"Another music industry event for your diaries, this one just before the customary January jolly for record label execs that is Midem. EuroSonic Noorderslag will take place in the Dutch city of Groningen and will have a live music focus, with the usual mix of keynotes and panel discussions plus showcases a plenty giving a platform for new bands and, in particular, artists from Belgium. It all takes place from 15-17 Jan." [CMUDaily]
"In the UK, internet service providers (ISPs) have recently voluntarily agreed to engage and educate their customers about file-sharing.
Virgin Media is one of the most recent ISPs to write to customers whose net connection may have been used to download unlicensed content.
However, coming up with a logical and viable solution is proving difficult because of the fast pace of technological change." [BBC]
The BPI is preparing a membership briefing paper after label representatives aired concerns that the financial insecurity surrounding EUK is creating worry among the independent community during the all-important quarter four period.
"Despite EUK’s assurances that it has sufficient cash flow to maintain all its obligations throughout the final quarter, questions have remained over the limited bargaining power independent labels wield with EUK and the increased risk and financial exposure the situation has led to among smaller businesses.
BPI director of independent member services Julian Wall says that “there is a heightened level of concern at the moment amongst a spread of the independent BPI member labels”." [MusicWeek]
NAPSTER JUDGE CALLS FOR ALL-INTEREST COPYRIGHT BODY
"The judge who oversaw the original copyright infringement case against Napster, back in the days when Napster was a P2P network and enemy number one in the record industry, has said he thinks there should be a new copyright body in the US made up of representatives of all interested parties, including the public, to issue blanket licences, negotiate and set standard royalties and adopt rules and regulations to help enforce content owner's rights." [CMUDaily]
DUTCH LIVE MUSIC CONFERENCE TO PRECEDE MIDEM
"Another music industry event for your diaries, this one just before the customary January jolly for record label execs that is Midem. EuroSonic Noorderslag will take place in the Dutch city of Groningen and will have a live music focus, with the usual mix of keynotes and panel discussions plus showcases a plenty giving a platform for new bands and, in particular, artists from Belgium. It all takes place from 15-17 Jan." [CMUDaily]
EU Parliament Monitor - 14/11/08
The Week Ahead 17-23 November 2008
Plenary Session – Strasbourg [Europa]
Arab week in pictures
"Arab and European politics and culture came together under the European Parliament's roof in Brussels this week, as relations between the two were discussed in a series of seminars on education, human rights and the price and future of oil.
Arabic culture was on display with exhibitions, a performance by folk groups from Bahrain and Arab calligraphy demonstrations
The events during 3-7 November took place as part of the European year of intercultural dialogue." [Europa]
Plenary Session – Strasbourg [Europa]
Arab week in pictures
"Arab and European politics and culture came together under the European Parliament's roof in Brussels this week, as relations between the two were discussed in a series of seminars on education, human rights and the price and future of oil.
Arabic culture was on display with exhibitions, a performance by folk groups from Bahrain and Arab calligraphy demonstrations
The events during 3-7 November took place as part of the European year of intercultural dialogue." [Europa]
EU Commission Monitor - 14/11/08
Intercultural Dialogue: a Challenge for faiths and convictions?
"Religious beliefs, philosophies and convictions are an integral part of cultural diversity which, through dialogue, can enrich our societies and contribute to individual fulfilment. But in our increasingly diverse cultural environments, the broad spectrum of faiths, beliefs and convictions can lead to misconceptions and fears. In the worst cases, people suffer the consequences of others' prejudice in the form of discrimination due to their conviction or religious belief.
Around 100 participants attended a conference organised today (read: 11th November) by the European Commission in the framework of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, and as a follow-up to the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Three working sessions focused on challenges for education, the media, and dialogue between faiths and convictions. " [Dialogue]
"Religious beliefs, philosophies and convictions are an integral part of cultural diversity which, through dialogue, can enrich our societies and contribute to individual fulfilment. But in our increasingly diverse cultural environments, the broad spectrum of faiths, beliefs and convictions can lead to misconceptions and fears. In the worst cases, people suffer the consequences of others' prejudice in the form of discrimination due to their conviction or religious belief.
Around 100 participants attended a conference organised today (read: 11th November) by the European Commission in the framework of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, and as a follow-up to the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Three working sessions focused on challenges for education, the media, and dialogue between faiths and convictions. " [Dialogue]
11/7/08
EU Parliament Monitor - 07/11/08
Innovating for economic growth I (Guest coIumnist: Reino Paasilinna MEP)
"The EU needs to focus on knowledge-intensive products and services as European prices cannot compete with those in emerging markets.
The free movement of knowledge in the EU is a basic right worth fighting for. It means giving citizens access to the best, most up-to-date information and making it possible for researchers, universities and businesses to interact and co-operate freely. That objective is still beset with certain challenges: diverse higher education systems, the immobility of researchers, insufficient funding and questions of intellectual property.
So what role will the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) play in this changing field?" [EuropeanVoice]
Innovating for economic growth II (Guest columnist: Jerzy Buzek MEP)
"Innovation is crucial for the EU if it is toenjoy economic success, but growth has to be balanced with social security and protection of the environment.
A fundamental aim of economic development in the free market economy is to achieve competitiveness. But economic growth has to be balanced with social security and protection of the environment. Therefore, the most important challenge is how to achieve competitiveness within this context. And finding the right response to this is vital if the EU is to enjoy economic success in the 21 century." [EuropeanVoice]
"The EU needs to focus on knowledge-intensive products and services as European prices cannot compete with those in emerging markets.
The free movement of knowledge in the EU is a basic right worth fighting for. It means giving citizens access to the best, most up-to-date information and making it possible for researchers, universities and businesses to interact and co-operate freely. That objective is still beset with certain challenges: diverse higher education systems, the immobility of researchers, insufficient funding and questions of intellectual property.
So what role will the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) play in this changing field?" [EuropeanVoice]
Innovating for economic growth II (Guest columnist: Jerzy Buzek MEP)
"Innovation is crucial for the EU if it is toenjoy economic success, but growth has to be balanced with social security and protection of the environment.
A fundamental aim of economic development in the free market economy is to achieve competitiveness. But economic growth has to be balanced with social security and protection of the environment. Therefore, the most important challenge is how to achieve competitiveness within this context. And finding the right response to this is vital if the EU is to enjoy economic success in the 21 century." [EuropeanVoice]
EU Public Affairs Monitor - 07/11/08
Benchmarks for innovation policy: A new study aims to find the ideal setting for entrepreneurs.
"A study to be published next month will set out an “entrepreneurial idyll” or an ideal environment for entrepreneurs to exist.
The study, carried out by Birmingham University and Cambridge University, aims to step away from the policy-driven measures to help boost small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focus instead on what makes firms do well." [EuropeanVoice]
Spat over VAT persists - Germany remains highly critical over plans to lower VAT for more businesses.
"A row about extending the EU's lowest, 5% VAT rate to labour-intensive industries is likely to continue well into December, following a meeting today that revealed that divisions between the EU's 27 finance ministers remain deep.
There was, though, more agreement on VAT on cross-border trade and movement on several other issues, including an agreement to review alleged tax-evasion loopholes for Liechtenstein.
During the Ecofin meeting of finance ministers, Germany made it clear that there is no evidence that lowering VAT for labour-intensive businesses such as restaurants would create jobs and said thorough discussion is still required. The European Commission, with the strong backing of France, the EU presidency, presented the proposal in July." [EuropeanVoice]
French Senate Validates Three-Strike Scheme
"The French Senate has adopted the "Creation and Internet" law, only 24 hours after the debates began. While intense debates were anticipated, the draft gathered 297 votes in favor and only 15 against.
The draft law, which now has to be voted by the French Parliament, suffered surprisingly few amendments by the Senators, who most notably validated the three-strike scheme, under which infringers could ultimately see their Internet access cut." [Billboard][CMUDaily]
"A study to be published next month will set out an “entrepreneurial idyll” or an ideal environment for entrepreneurs to exist.
The study, carried out by Birmingham University and Cambridge University, aims to step away from the policy-driven measures to help boost small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focus instead on what makes firms do well." [EuropeanVoice]
Spat over VAT persists - Germany remains highly critical over plans to lower VAT for more businesses.
"A row about extending the EU's lowest, 5% VAT rate to labour-intensive industries is likely to continue well into December, following a meeting today that revealed that divisions between the EU's 27 finance ministers remain deep.
There was, though, more agreement on VAT on cross-border trade and movement on several other issues, including an agreement to review alleged tax-evasion loopholes for Liechtenstein.
During the Ecofin meeting of finance ministers, Germany made it clear that there is no evidence that lowering VAT for labour-intensive businesses such as restaurants would create jobs and said thorough discussion is still required. The European Commission, with the strong backing of France, the EU presidency, presented the proposal in July." [EuropeanVoice]
French Senate Validates Three-Strike Scheme
"The French Senate has adopted the "Creation and Internet" law, only 24 hours after the debates began. While intense debates were anticipated, the draft gathered 297 votes in favor and only 15 against.
The draft law, which now has to be voted by the French Parliament, suffered surprisingly few amendments by the Senators, who most notably validated the three-strike scheme, under which infringers could ultimately see their Internet access cut." [Billboard][CMUDaily]
Music News Bulletin - 07/11/08
Sony BMG has unveiled more details of its SBX communications and artist agency
"The new agency is a pan-European joint venture with communications company Exposure designed to develop “entertainment-based communication platforms and provide a richer consumer experience for brands”.
SBX offers its clients what is described as “a full 360-degree proposition, from initial strategic planning and market research to creative work, content programming and fully integrated execution”."[MusicWeek][Billboard]
Sony – Epistle from Stringer
"Sony topper Howard Stringer penned an e-missive to the troops today, announcing the company will be officially renamed Sony Music Entertainment next year, and that Rolf Schmidt-Holtz has signed a new, three-year contract to continue as its chief exec. Guess we’ll still have those dancing Germans to kick-step around for a while longer. Wrote Stringer: “As we approach the end of this calendar year I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the very effective and united effort you have all put into making Sony BMG Music Entertainment a full operating, business and creative partner within Sony Corporation.” As for Rolf, “[his] strong leadership, and his commitment to an open and collaborative work ethic, has been integral to the transformation of our music business." [HitsDailyDouble]
"The new agency is a pan-European joint venture with communications company Exposure designed to develop “entertainment-based communication platforms and provide a richer consumer experience for brands”.
SBX offers its clients what is described as “a full 360-degree proposition, from initial strategic planning and market research to creative work, content programming and fully integrated execution”."[MusicWeek][Billboard]
Sony – Epistle from Stringer
"Sony topper Howard Stringer penned an e-missive to the troops today, announcing the company will be officially renamed Sony Music Entertainment next year, and that Rolf Schmidt-Holtz has signed a new, three-year contract to continue as its chief exec. Guess we’ll still have those dancing Germans to kick-step around for a while longer. Wrote Stringer: “As we approach the end of this calendar year I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the very effective and united effort you have all put into making Sony BMG Music Entertainment a full operating, business and creative partner within Sony Corporation.” As for Rolf, “[his] strong leadership, and his commitment to an open and collaborative work ethic, has been integral to the transformation of our music business." [HitsDailyDouble]
Music News Bulletin - 07/11/08
MySpace, MTV Test Piracy-Profit Plan
"A new technology that essentially allows content owners to profit from piracy will get a high-profile test this month from MySpace and MTV Networks.
Instead of triggering the usual take-down notices, copyright-infringing footage of select MTV Networks programing uploaded by MySpace subscribers would be automatically redistributed with advertisements that would generate revenue for the companies. MTV Networks is the parent company of such channels as MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Spike and Nickelodeon." [Billboard]
EMI, Warner Sign Up To Unlimited MP3 Package
"EMI Music and Warner Music have signed up to an all-you-can-eat download service run by Datz.com, which will provide access to unlimited music in MP3 format for £99.99 ($164.45) a year. The service will allow fans to keep the music when the year is up.
Beggars Group and The Orchard have also signed up to the Datz Music Lounge and more are set to join in the coming weeks. " [Billboard]
Can The Major Labels Handle Their Debt?
"The expanding crisis engulfing the international financial system has music industry executives worried that rising credit costs could eventually affect term loans, interest payments and revolving credit facilities at record labels.
"There is a lack of confidence out there so that regardless of credit worthiness, investors are shunning risk," says Thomas Carroll, senior VP/managing director of SunTrust's Sports and Entertainment Specialty Group."" [Billboard]
Free vs. Fee Content in a Recession
"An article at eMarketer (see http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006660 ) brings up a topic that is worth discussing in the music business: Will free lose out to paid content in an economic downturn? The article debates whether or not creators will increasingly scoff at giving away their content and turn to sites that pay for their content." [Coolfer]
EMI, one of the world's largest record companies, is considering turning over its distribution, sales and marketing operations in the United States to a rival in an attempt to cut its extensive losses, music industry sources said Friday.
"Three industry sources told Fortune that the storied British company - whose catalog includes the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Coldplay - is talking to Warner Music, SonyBMG and Universal Music Group about assuming these functions in the U.S. Those companies declined to comment." [CNNMoney]
"A new technology that essentially allows content owners to profit from piracy will get a high-profile test this month from MySpace and MTV Networks.
Instead of triggering the usual take-down notices, copyright-infringing footage of select MTV Networks programing uploaded by MySpace subscribers would be automatically redistributed with advertisements that would generate revenue for the companies. MTV Networks is the parent company of such channels as MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Spike and Nickelodeon." [Billboard]
EMI, Warner Sign Up To Unlimited MP3 Package
"EMI Music and Warner Music have signed up to an all-you-can-eat download service run by Datz.com, which will provide access to unlimited music in MP3 format for £99.99 ($164.45) a year. The service will allow fans to keep the music when the year is up.
Beggars Group and The Orchard have also signed up to the Datz Music Lounge and more are set to join in the coming weeks. " [Billboard]
Can The Major Labels Handle Their Debt?
"The expanding crisis engulfing the international financial system has music industry executives worried that rising credit costs could eventually affect term loans, interest payments and revolving credit facilities at record labels.
"There is a lack of confidence out there so that regardless of credit worthiness, investors are shunning risk," says Thomas Carroll, senior VP/managing director of SunTrust's Sports and Entertainment Specialty Group."" [Billboard]
Free vs. Fee Content in a Recession
"An article at eMarketer (see http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006660 ) brings up a topic that is worth discussing in the music business: Will free lose out to paid content in an economic downturn? The article debates whether or not creators will increasingly scoff at giving away their content and turn to sites that pay for their content." [Coolfer]
EMI, one of the world's largest record companies, is considering turning over its distribution, sales and marketing operations in the United States to a rival in an attempt to cut its extensive losses, music industry sources said Friday.
"Three industry sources told Fortune that the storied British company - whose catalog includes the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Coldplay - is talking to Warner Music, SonyBMG and Universal Music Group about assuming these functions in the U.S. Those companies declined to comment." [CNNMoney]
EU Commission Enterprise and Industry - 07/11/08
Introducing innovation: Eight years after the Lisbon Agenda was launched, the EU is still behind on innovation.
"The difficulties faced by European companies trying to create innovative products and services and launch them successfully on the markets prompted EU leaders to adopt the Lisbon Agenda in 2000. Eight years on and, despite the agenda's aim of making Europe the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy, the EU still suffers from an ‘innovation gap' compared to its main rivals. So what is standing in the way of Europe doing better and will it improve?
The European Commission's latest annual assessment of the EU's innovation performance paints a dispiriting picture. Measuring such variables as participation in tertiary education, availability of early-stage venture capital, patents and hi-tech exports, it finds that overall Europe is lagging behind the US and Japan. Following reports in 2005 and 2006 which seemed to show a significant improvement, the 2007 report found only “very modest” reductions in the innovation gap." [EuropeanVoice]
"The difficulties faced by European companies trying to create innovative products and services and launch them successfully on the markets prompted EU leaders to adopt the Lisbon Agenda in 2000. Eight years on and, despite the agenda's aim of making Europe the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy, the EU still suffers from an ‘innovation gap' compared to its main rivals. So what is standing in the way of Europe doing better and will it improve?
The European Commission's latest annual assessment of the EU's innovation performance paints a dispiriting picture. Measuring such variables as participation in tertiary education, availability of early-stage venture capital, patents and hi-tech exports, it finds that overall Europe is lagging behind the US and Japan. Following reports in 2005 and 2006 which seemed to show a significant improvement, the 2007 report found only “very modest” reductions in the innovation gap." [EuropeanVoice]
EU Commission: Information and Society 07/11/08
2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue: Brussels Debate on the role of the Media
The last of the seven "Brussels Debates" organised in the framework of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue took place on Wednesday, 5 November 2008. The debate entitled "Talking Our Way out of Trouble: How Media Debate Can Combat Intolerance” was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). It took place in the Residence Palace and was opened by EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding. [InterculturalDialogue]
The last of the seven "Brussels Debates" organised in the framework of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue took place on Wednesday, 5 November 2008. The debate entitled "Talking Our Way out of Trouble: How Media Debate Can Combat Intolerance” was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). It took place in the Residence Palace and was opened by EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding. [InterculturalDialogue]
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