In the wake of label consolidation involving Elektra, Arista and DreamWorks, some fairly notable artists and managers are feeling vulnerable because the executives who signed them are no longer with the company. History tells them label executives prioritize their own signings at the expense of inherited acts, which is no surprise, since when their deals are up for renewal, these execs are primarily judged on the success of the acts that they’ve signed. Now, those acts not signed by the current label regime are concerned about having no one around to shepherd them through the system. Of course, there are exceptions, as in the case of Blink-182’s success on Geffen.
Is one major-label publicity head up for a top marketing post on his/her former boss’ new team?
Following generally tepid response to Sony’s Connect online store last week, talk that the company won’t be releasing a portable device to compete directly with Apple’s iPod until later this summer has prompted some head-scratching. Sony moles reveal that a $30 million cross-promotional ad campaign with McDonald’s inked to begin June 8 gave the company a choice of rush-launching Connect or missing out on a mass-market opportunity to hype it.
Is the head of one major-label-distributed indie currently in discussions to go inside another major as president?
CNET has launched its version of the venerable MP3.com site it acquired last year from Vivendi Universal. The company’s Gamespot.com is the leading source of information about video games on the web, and a very important driver of traffic to video game company sites. CNET’s new MP3.com model looks to duplicate Gamespot.com’s success by looking to become the premiere site for online music information.
Buzz continuing on the Prince album’s strong run, with industry observers saying even without the questionable concert-venue “sales” that Soundscan is including, the album continues to do Top 10 business—an exceptional showing for a record with virtually no radio support. This week, Musicology added another 65k in “non-traditional” sales, putting the amount of CDs given away to date at nearly 150k.
Names in the Rumor Mill: Fred Davis, David Munns, Laura Swanson, Sylvia Rhone, Guy Oseary, David Foster and Caresse Henry.
THE COUNT: ALL THE DESERT'S A STAGE
The dust settles on the Indio Polo Grounds. (4/22a)
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THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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