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Posts Tagged “Emi”

the new model

As Seen On TV: Music Joins The Marketing Fold

It's no surprise that EMI execs would try to stress the positive in their interview with Billboard, and sure, there's some red meat in there, particularly the bit about DRM-free digital sales not having any effect on piracy. Their explanation for how the company will work from now on—managing "the relationship between the artist and the fans" by giving each more information about the other—is less convincing, given the example of telling a country band that they have fans in Chicago. That's been the label's job ever since it started dipping its fingers in tour schedules. EMI's new direction is better heralded by the company's hiring of the founder of MyCokeMusic, one of the first legal download services. Instead of installing him in a sales position, however, they're making him a VP of "brand partnerships." Why would you do that with someone present at the creation of the new digital economy, who might have a better idea of how to actually get people to pay for music? More »

11:30 AM on Mon Nov 17 2008
By Mike Barthel
102 views, Comment

the biz

EMI: "And Now For Something Completely Different"

We know that some people might be dismayed to hear that EMI hasn't just closed up shop and given up on music entirely. But the beleaguered company has—really!—earned £59 million (before tax, depreciation and amortization) in the second and third quarters of 2008, thanks in part to the successes of Coldplay and Katy Perry. "EMI is absolutely not bankrupt, far from it. EMI has never been in such a financially sound situation," recorded-music CEO Elio Leoni-Sceti said of this news. And now the company's planning to restructure itself, splitting the music aspect of the business into three parts. More »

1:30 PM on Fri Nov 7 2008
By Dan Gibson
329 views, 3 comments

Latest by revmatty: Well the thing about music that remains popular long after it's original release is that every day hundreds of thousands of new people are born who one day will want to buy The Beatles/Dark Side of the Moon/ In a more »

the boingboing effect

"Wired" Blogger Not Afraid To Look Stupid

A funny thing about this brave new Internet world of ours is something I call the BoingBoing effect. A site that's a very good aggregator can attract a large audience by posting frequently and picking great and unique things to link to. But if there's a particular mindset to the site, it can get passed on to its audience incidentally, and be validated by the site's own popularity and authority. In the case of BoingBoing, a self-proclaimed "directory of wonderful things," it's their particular philosophy on the "free" nature of information. As it applies to music, the idea is that the music industry is a criminal enterprise and that music would be much better for everyone if it was free, or at least "pay what you like." Which is how we get Scott Thill, a music blogger for the biggest tech magazine in the world, saying crazy shit like this. More »

1:00 PM on Mon Oct 27 2008
By Mike Barthel
1,701 views, 43 comments

Latest by janine: @DudeAsInCool: Yeah, the tiny Mom & Pop record companies of that era, CBS, Warner Brothers, RCA Victor, Capitol-EMI, PolyGram and MCA, were all about the little guy. What you're mistaking for halcyon goodness in that period is actually the decadent ability more »

web 2.no

EMI To Launch Digital Service, Possibly While High

There are days when it barely seems worth reporting on the various digital plans of the major labels... we all know that most them won't last for long, assuming the concepts come to fruition at all. Still, EMI's idea to launch its own digital-music service is so strange and seemingly pointless, it's worth documenting—less for the idea itself, but the grasping-at-straws nature of the business these days. More »

10:45 AM on Fri Oct 10 2008
By Dan Gibson
299 views, 5 comments

EMI will whore out its back catalog to U.K. label Tu Clothing, which will in turn emblazon its activewear with lyrics from EMI artists past and present. Finally, my chance to get the words to Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" on a non-airbrushed t-shirt. [Billboard]

1 comment

they write letters

Moby Makes Sense (No, Really!)

In yet another open letter to a hegemonic media power—in this case, EMI—electronic artist Moby decries the reticence of his corporate masters toward selling music to people who both want it, and are willing to pay for it. More »

1:30 PM on Thu Oct 2 2008
By Lucas Jensen
635 views, 13 comments

any port in a storm

Two Imperiled Industries Decide To Hook Up For Kicks

So, you're at a company whose core business hasn't been doing so well these days. Layoffs are high, morale is low, and people getting your product for free are cutting into your profit model. How can you save your hide, or at least stave off your problems for one more day? Both EMI and the newsmongers Gannett have had these sorts of problems, and together, they've apparently decided that the answer is to hook up with one another and remember what the glory days of the monoculture were like—you know, back when the word "exclusive premiere" meant something? EMI and Gannett both remember those days, which is why they've entered into a deal to "premiere" the new album by Brian Wilson, That Lucky Old Sun, on Gannett's newspaper and TV sites before its Sept. 2 release. More »

8:53 AM on Wed Aug 20 2008
By Maura Johnston
219 views, Comment

EMI has issued a statement on its $30 million lawsuit against the Jared Leto-fronted outfit 30 Seconds To Mars that says in part: "The hard work of EMI's global team and of the band has resulted in sales of 3 million albums and singles, multiple awards and a growing, global fan base. However, we have been forced to take procedural, legal steps in order to protect EMI's investment and rights during contract renegotiations initiated by the band and management." So should we translate this frosty corporate missive as "videos shot in China cost money, you dumbasses" or "sure, we'll keep the publicity stunt going so people remember who you are when your next record comes out"? [Earlier]

3 comments

they write (open) letters

Jared Leto To EMI: F U, Pay Me (And Those Other Dudes In The Band)

Late Friday, EMI announced that it was suing the Jared Leto-led outfit 30 Seconds To Mars, whose last album for the label's Virgin subsidiary came out in 2005, for $30 million dollars because of breach of contract issues. While the exact amount of damages sought was probably the result of "cuteness" more than anything, EMI's grievance seemed somewhat solid—after all, the band "repudiated" its contract, on which it had one album left, last month. In response to the suit, the former Jordan Catalano penned an open letter to his fans, his band's former label, and any other parties who might be interested. More »

9:30 AM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Maura Johnston
782 views, 7 comments

Latest by Norman: I have a few friends in bands who sell lots of records for major labels. In separate conversations with them, it seemed like there was a general consensus with major label math: If you spend a substantial but not ridiculous more »

do the limbo

Lily Allen Gives Her Fans A Primer On The Business Of Music

Two months ago, Lily Allen was in Los Angeles making her new record, and there were rumors of discord between the spunky British singer and her label, the EMI-owned Capitol Records—word on the street was that the troubled label, clearly operating under the "one female singer at a time, guys" rule, was throwing all its weight behind the abhorrent Katy Perry and kicking Allen to the curb, or at least the "turnaround" segment of EMI's roster. At the time, Allen denied the allegations, saying that there was more than enough room for both of them. But she mentioned the current status of her album in a blog post over the weekend, and things don't look all that good: More »

8:53 AM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Maura Johnston
853 views, 5 comments

Latest by Tauwan: Three things: (1) That is one of the sexiest photos of Lily Allen I have ever seen, (2) I played Mark Ronson's Version yesterday, and was reminded of how sweet and welcoming this girl's coo is, even when she's playing it mean, more »

Rob Stevenson, the former executive vice president of A & R at Universal Music Group who was also one of the people behind Ultragrrrl-branded boutique label Stolen Transmission, has landed at EMI. He'll be president of Virgin U.S., a position which EMI's PR people are referring to as a "key creative role at EMI in America." While at UMG, he signed and developed acts like Fall Out Boy, the Killers, and Lady Sovereign. (Where on earth has Lady Sovereign been, anyway? Her MySpace page says she has an album coming out in "Spring 2008," although maybe she means the Southern Hemisphere's spring.) [EMI]

1 comment

at least it wasn't live nation

The Rolling Stones Will Not Play On While EMI Sinks

The Rolling Stones haven't been known for sticking around at one label for long, having jumped around from Atlantic to CBS to Virgin in the past. So the announcement that they've signed a long-term deal with Universal Music Group is no particular surprise. What remains to be seen is how the former home of the Stones, EMI, will cope with the loss of most of the band's catalog, which the band will be taking with them. Losing out on a forthcoming Stones record is unfortunate, but in an era with only a few sure things, watching the Stones' discography slip away might keep Guy Hands from getting a good night's sleep for awhile. Somewhere, Doug Morris is rubbing his hands together and laughing like a Bond villain. [Reuters]

11:45 AM on Fri Jul 25 2008
By Dan Gibson
163 views, 6 comments

Latest by Dan Gibson: @Elijah-M: Apologist. more »

the biz

Guy Hands Finally Finds An Exec To Take Over EMI

Starting in October, the new CEO of EMI Records will be Elio Leoni-Sceti, an Italian advertising executive with no experience in the music industry. Terra Firma leader Guy Hands has been looking for someone forward thinking and informed enough to take over EMI's top recorded-music position since buying the company last August, and evidently no one available was more appropriate for the position than a guy who made his name pushing house cleaning supplies for Reckitt Benckiser. Chris Martin must be delighted! Will Leoni-Sceti have the same success with Katy Perry as he did with laundry detergent? Guy Hands sure thinks so! More »

5:00 PM on Mon Jul 7 2008
By Anthony Miccio
381 views, 2 comments

Latest by The Illiterate: This is getting as bad as the movie industry in the late 70s. Soon no one who actually knows about music will work for any of the major labels. more »

The long-rumored layoffs at the retrenching EMI began today, and employees in both Blue Note and Caroline have apparently been affected; there is also word that there will be further layoffs, at Capitol and Virgin, coming down the pike tomorrow. [The Velvet Rope / HT The Daily Swarm]

Comment

defections?

Are The Rolling Stones Going To Spin Off To Live Nation's Geezer-Friendly Stable?

Yesterday the UK's Observer claimed that the Stones were on the verge of walking away from their problem-riddled label EMI and heading over to Live Nation, which has recently gone on a 360-deal-signing binge that is funneling lots of cash toward big-name artists like Madonna and Jay-Z in exchange for the rights to all of their music-related income streams. Like both those artists, the Stones have been hurting on the record-sales side of things as of late, with their newer studio albums being met by ever-greater indifference from the public—but in a twist, the Live Nation-Stones deal reportedly includes the rights for Live Nation to market the band's lucrative back catalog. Stones flack Bernard Doherty told the press that reports of negotiations with Live Nation are false, but come on, what else is he going to say? More »

2:30 PM on Mon Jun 16 2008
By Maura Johnston
260 views, 3 comments

Latest by cosmiclove: I'm about to get a curly blond wig, a guitar and one of those shirts with blue jean patches and say I'm Peter Frampton. I bet I can a mad deal from Live Nation. Show me the way, baby. more »

ship shape

Five Fun Facts From That EMI Story In The "Times"

Today's New York Times has a lengthy report on Guy Hands' tumultuous tenure as the head of beleaguered label EMI, and it's a pretty dense read, full of corporate politicking and grouchy music-biz types grumbling about Guy Hands' somewhat ham-handed efforts to make a music-business office over in his image. After the jump, five bits from the piece that stuck out for one reason or another. More »

11:30 AM on Mon Jun 16 2008
By Maura Johnston
1,344 views, 6 comments

if at first you don't succeed

QTrax! It's Back! And It's Ready For Action!

After a disastrous launch of a content-free version of its site that left its CEO sputtering and pundits giggling, the ad-supported music service QTrax is ready to try again, with a relaunch set for June 18. QTrax's initial launch was plagued by all of the major labels it trumpeted in its press release holding their content back from the service at the last minute; since then, EMI and Universal Music Group have signed their wares away to the site, although both labels have stipulated that their music has to be distributed through a method that's more traditional (and less BitTorrent-like) than QTrax's licensed peer-to-peer service. (Which should end well.) Anyway, I know it's a long shot, but I wonder if any budding entrepreneurs out there have taken away the lesson that they should focus less on the splashy launch parties and more on developing an actual product with their seed money. It's a hard lesson for dot-coms to learn—even in 2008, inexplicably—but it certainly makes the Google News hits a bit less ulcer-inducing. [Silicon Alley Insider]

9:00 AM on Thu Jun 12 2008
By Maura Johnston
186 views, Comment

the biz

Capitol Records To Be Run By A Supercomputer Named HAL

Guy Hands and his Terra Firma pals have already shown an odd hand toward running EMI, but if Roger Friedman is to be believed (and feel free to be skeptical), their boldest experiment yet is on its way. More »

1:30 PM on Tue Jun 10 2008
By Dan Gibson
1,185 views, 5 comments