Music Industry 2.0
Bertelsmann AG’s profit fell 25 percent last year as the music industry’s troubles forced it to write off much of the value of its Zomba Music acquisition. However, the operating earnings rose as new CEO Gunter Thielen trimmed unprofitable Internet-related activities and the company’s books, music and television businesses improved (Yahoo.com).
Compliments of ‘The Music Business Registry’ (musicregistry.com)
Tatu are totally safe in the knowledge that it’s their music that counts and it’s the quality that sells volume (pic link via Popbitch.com) – look at Tatu pic…
Warner last Thursday said it was revamping its royalty accounting methods in response to a call by the artist community for more transparency in the process (Yahoo…).
The RIAA, representing the US music industry, has sent letters to 300 companies alleging copyright infringement for use of file-swapping services such as KaZaA within their corporate networks (Out-Law.com).
“I’ve heard the industry is losing a million dollars a day,” said Stan Getz, vice president of A&R Record and Tape Manufacturing, a Dallas company that specializes in pressing vinyl and in CD, cassette and DVD duplication. Even musicians themselves are noticing a shift in how consumers experience their products (Pioneer Press…).
The Internet has turned the world of tunes into a noisy place. You no longer have to go to a record store and buy a CD off the rack to hear the music you want. In recent weeks, sites that legally sell music over the Net have cranked up marketing efforts (gomemphis.com).
The introduction of polyphonic sound on mobile phones has opened up a new world for music fans, who are taking advantage of the latest in tune technology. Wireless giant Motorola is going one step further with the launch of MotoMixer, a feature that lets phone users mix their own ringtones (Yahoo).
Some musicians and actors won’t travel. Some films won’t start on time. Some stages are quiet. The war in Iraq has led to cancellations and scheduling changes throughout the entertainment world (CBS). More at Sympatico/Billboard.
Independent distributors have been posting jaw-dropping gains over the last two years, ranging anywhere from 20% to 50%, bucking the seemingly endless downward spiral of the majors. What gives? Hits Daily Double asks the execs here.
