Archive for August, 2007

Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Motorola, Inc. introduced the next evolution in multifunctional media devices, the MOTO Q music 9m. Exclusively available through Verizon Wireless, the MOTO Q music 9m offers a sleek updated design, dedicated multimedia interface that offers V CAST Music capabilities, and the business sense of its predecessor - the Motorola Q - in one thin black and red package. Customers may purchase the MOTO Q music 9m online at www.verizonwireless.com and through Verizon Wireless’ business sales channels. The MOTO Q music 9m will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores including those in Circuit City on August 29.

Whether you are a consumer on-the-go or need to multi-task, this all-in-one device makes it simple to gain access and stay connected with what’s important to you. The MOTO Q music 9m boasts sleek styling and convenient features such as an ergonomically optimized keyboard for accurate and fast typing, a side-scroll thumbwheel for easy one-handed menu navigation, and dedicated keys for easy access to your favorite features like messaging, speakerphone and multimedia - all enhancing the user’s experience.

The MOTO Q music 9m also has a dedicated multimedia interface that offers V CAST Music capabilities and is one of the first smartphones to support over-the-air music downloads. With V CAST Music, customers can select from over two million songs to download over-the-air to their phones. And like the Motorola Q, the MOTO Q music 9m combines the reliability of a great phone, personal productivity capabilities and powerful enterprise connectivity.

David Renzer, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the world’s leading music publishing company, announced additional senior executive appointments for the company’s Los Angeles and New York Creative, Business Affairs, and Film & Television departments. The announcement follows the successful close by Universal Music Group of its acquisition of BMG Music Publishing, making the new UMPG the largest publishing company in the world.

“UMPG already has strong staffs in the Creative, Business Affairs, and Film & Television departments, and now we are further strengthening these departments with the addition of these fine executives from the former BMG/Zomba companies,” stated Mr. Renzer. “With powerhouse teams in New York and Los Angeles, our mission in the coming months will be to build not just the biggest publishing company in the world, but the best. These executives will play a pivotal role as we take the newly combined company to even greater heights.”

Former BMG executives joining UMPG’s New York offices include:

* David Mantel, Executive Vice President, East Coast
* Jennifer Blakeman, Senior Vice President, Creative
* Jason Boyarski, Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs
* Deborah Keegan, Senior Director, Legal & Business Affairs
* Jessica Rivera, Director, Creative
* Peter Visvardis, Director, Creative
* Anne Wall, Director, Film & TV Music Licensing

Former BMG executives joining UMPG’s Los Angeles offices include:

* Monti Olson, Vice President, A&R
* Michelle Belcher, Senior Director, Film & TV
* Brad Aarons, Director, Creative
* Andrea Torchia, Senior Director, Creative

David Mantel will report directly to David Renzer, while Business Affairs executives will report to Robert Allen, UMPG’s Senior Vice President of Business Affairs. New York Creative staff will report to David Mantel, while Los Angeles Creative staff and Ethiopia Habtemariam, Vice President of Urban Creative Affairs, will report to Tom Sturges, Executive Vice President, Head of Creative. Film & Television staff will report to Scott James, Senior Vice President of Music for Motion Pictures, Television and New Technologies, Worldwide.

In addition, it was also announced that Scott Francis, President of BMG Songs, North America, will be departing the company.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the contributions that Scott Francis has made to BMG Songs over the years”, added Mr. Renzer. “While he will be leaving us, we certainly wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.”

Peter Gabriel will be honored as a BMI Icon at the U.S. performing right organization’s annual London Awards, set for Oct. 16 in the London’s Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane. The black-tie, invitation-only gala will recognize the U.K. and European songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-played BMI songs on American radio and television. BMI is a United States-based performing right organization that collects and distributes monies for public performance of music in the U.S., including on radio, TV and Internet.

The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Gabriel joins an elite list of past honorees that includes multi-genre nobility like Ray Davies, Van Morrison, the Bee Gees, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton, James Brown, Paul Simon, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steve Winwood and more.

Gabriel’s achievements, whether musical, visual or humanitarian, are the work of a true visionary. The co-founder of rock band Genesis, Gabriel left the group in 1975 to begin a critically acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning solo career. Thus far, he has released 11 albums featuring self-penned gems and BMI million-performance songs including “Big Time,” “Solsbury Hill,” “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes,” and composed soundtracks for numerous films, including Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. Amongst other bold endeavors, Gabriel founded Real World companies in 1987, housing his recording, publishing, film and multi-media ventures under one progressive roof. An early participant in Human Rights Now! and recipient of the Nobel Peace Laureates’ “Man of Peace” Award, Peter Gabriel founded world human rights advocacy supergroup TheElders.org in July 2007, with Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela.

Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Senior Executive, BMI Europe Brandon Bakshi, the BMI London Awards will also present the Robert S. Musel Award to the writer and publisher of the most performed song of the year. BMI will bestow “Million-Air” certificates on writers and publishers whose songs have achieved over three million U.S. radio and television performances — the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay.

Limelight Networks, a leading content delivery network (CDN) for digital media, announced that Music Plus Television Network, Inc. (MusicPlusTV.com) has completed its second year broadcasting live, original music videos and television content around the world over the Internet, powered by Limelight’s high-performance CDN.

MusicPlusTV.com has grown rapidly into one of the world’s top Internet destinations for music, currently drawing more than five million unique users and generating more than 150 million impressions per month. MusicPlusTV.com features both original programming developed in its Los Angeles, Calif. studios, as well as an extensive digital library of streaming on-demand programs and user-generated content. Using Limelight’s CDN services, MusicPlusTV.com can manage the full availability of its increasing digital media library and reliably broadcast high-quality programming to its ever-growing global audience without service disruptions or video quality issues.

“Limelight Networks makes it possible for us to stream our video content rapidly and with high quality to audiences worldwide by delivering an efficient and robust delivery infrastructure that can handle our massive traffic volumes,” said Marc A. Cubas, chairman and chief executive officer of Music Plus Television Network, Inc. “We’re not just using Limelight’s network to deliver on-demand programming. Limelight is actually pushing our live entertainment content globally — something we have found that no other CDN can provide with the same consistently high delivery standard as their on-demand service.”

While a number of CDN alternatives were explored by Music Plus Television Network, Limelight’s network was chosen not only for its performance and comprehensive solution, but also for its accurate reporting capabilities. With programs running half an hour to an hour in length, Cubas says Limelight’s reporting has shown that visitors to MusicPlusTV.com are staying on the site and watching complete programs — returning two to three times a day. This data highlighting audience behavior patterns has a direct result on the company’s bottom line, helping it to attract online advertisers that are necessary to support the community.

“By leveraging Limelight’s CDN service, MusicPlusTV.com can touch a global audience with a fantastic user experience,” said David Hatfield, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, Limelight Networks. “The site also has to appeal to advertisers that will ultimately help MusicPlusTV.com achieve its current and future business goals. Through the combination of our own reporting capabilities and a host of best-of-breed partnerships, we can deliver cutting edge solutions for MusicPlusTV.com as they embark into the future of online broadcasting and social networking.”

The three companies announced deals to make Rhapsody the exclusive digital music service across MTV Networks’ premier music and pop culture television brands including MTV, VH1 and CMT and for Verizon’s V CAST service

RealNetworks, Inc., MTV Networks, a division of VIACOM International, and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications, and Vodafone announced they are teaming to create a single, integrated digital music experience that consumers can access via their PC, portable music device or mobile phone. Promising to be ultra-rich in music culture, programming and discovery, Rhapsody will unite the best of RealNetworks’ market-leading service and MTV Networks critically acclaimed URGE music service. Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music — the most successful mobile music service in the country — will become the mobile platform for the integrated Rhapsody service.

As part of this alliance, MTV Networks and Real are forming a new company, Rhapsody America, whose offering will be the exclusive digital music service for Real and for MTV Networks’ premier music and pop culture brands in the United States. Both partners will bring complementary strengths, including MTV Network’s storied history in music programming, unparalleled connection with music fans, and youth marketing prowess, with Real’s innovative technology, market momentum for Rhapsody, and deep relationships within the consumer electronics industry. Michael Bloom, previously General Manager of MTV Network’s URGE, will lead Rhapsody America, which will have offices in New York, Seattle and San Francisco.

Real and MTV Networks, through their Rhapsody America venture, have formed a long-term, groundbreaking and exclusive relationship with Verizon Wireless, in which the companies will be partners in bringing consumers digital music to their PCs and over the air to their mobile phones. Through the relationship with Verizon Wireless, Rhapsody will be fully integrated with VCAST Music, delivering a superior music service across multiple consumer devices.

“With RealNetworks and Verizon Wireless, we’re creating a unique and engaging experience that also reflects our own strategy of allowing fans to go narrow and deep into the musical genres they love,” said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. “Any time we can partner with industry leaders like this to create a new music proposition, everyone wins, especially the audience.”

“Today’s announcements represent a sea-change in the digital music market,” said Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO, RealNetworks. “By partnering with MTV Networks, home of the most storied brands in music history, and the market’s leading wireless company, Verizon Wireless, we’ll make Rhapsody the premier digital music service that delivers great music to millions of consumers whenever and wherever they want.”

“By bringing together the cultural and musical heritage of the MTV Networks family with the functionality of Rhapsody and the reach of V CAST Music, it’s like we’ve put the best lead singer, drummer and guitarist all on the same giant stage, allowing music fans to experience the purest music play in any way they want,” said Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks Music & Logo Group. “The new Rhapsody will build on the musical curation of URGE and have the marketing power of MTV, VH1 and CMT behind it, ensuring this new platform is front and center in the hearts and minds of music lovers.”

John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon, said, “Our commitment to innovation and making V CAST Music the #1 mobile music service in the country has led to today’s momentous announcement. Verizon’s alignment with these two great companies — MTV Networks’ music and youth marketing expertise with RealNetworks’ acclaimed service and technology — promises to propel digital music into an exciting new future. Together, our three companies will provide a new, unbeatable digital music experience that will give every consumer a way to get music quickly and easily — whether sitting in front of a computer screen or on-the-go with a mobile device.”

Real, MTV Networks and Verizon Wireless will leverage their complementary strengths to bring the new service to market and back it up with an aggressive advertising and promotional campaign. Verizon Wireless will market Rhapsody through its extensive network of Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide when the service launches on mobile phones. Rhapsody will become the music service of choice across MTV Networks’ MTV, VH1, and CMT brands and their myriad of online youth-culture touch points. On-air integration for the new service will begin next week and Rhapsody will also be integrated into the fabric of MTV’s marquee event, the Video Music Awards airing live from Las Vegas on September 9th.

23
Aug

Wal-Mart Launches MP3 Music Download Tracks

   Posted by: mwatkins    in Publishing News

Wal-Mart announces the launch of “DRM-free” MP3 music downloads, now available online at http://www.walmart.com. At only 94 cents per track and $9.22 per album, the new MP3 digital format delivers value, convenience and the ability for customers to play music on nearly any device, including iPod, iPhone and Zune portable media players. Wal-Mart is one of the first major retailers to offer MP3 digital tracks with music content from major record labels such as Universal and EMI Music.

“As we consistently strive to help our customers shop smart at Wal-Mart, our new ‘DRM-free’ MP3 digital tracks give them the ease and flexibility to play music on virtually any device at a great value,” said Kevin Swint, Wal-Mart’s senior director and divisional manager for digital media. “Also, we’re excited to launch our MP3 catalog with major record labels such as Universal and EMI Music that includes music from popular artists like The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, Maroon 5, George Strait and Nelly.”

Wal-Mart’s new MP3 music catalog includes hundreds of thousands of songs and albums, and will be continually expanded with additional mainstream and independent music content. Also, Wal-Mart is currently offering special MP3 album pricing on hundreds of album classics such as Come Away With Me by Norah Jones, Be Here by Keith Urban and Barrio Fino en Directo by Daddy Yankee at $7.88 per album; and Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent at $5.88 per album.

Wal-Mart will continue to offer its existing WMA-format music downloads. Thus, customers may select the option of MP3-format downloads at 256 kbps for $0.94/track and/or WMA-format downloads at 128 kbps for $0.88/track.

(Penryn, Cornwall UK 21 August 2007) Aardvark Music Ltd and one of the world’s leading mobile content providers, Mobile Streams, today announced a global strategic partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Aardvark’s content including full-length songs, ringtones, mobile music videos and wallpapers will be available via Mobile Stream’s network of mobile network operator partners. Aardvark is one of the few independent music companies to partner with Mobile Streams for music content on a global level, with the deal encompassing around 100 of Mobile Streams’ mobile operators.

This partnership will combine Aardvark’s expertise in developing and delivering entertainment content with Mobile Streams’ strength in telecommunications technology. The deal demonstrates Aardvark Music and Mobile Streams focus on both maintaining their respective positions as global digital innovators as well as developing emerging markets, specifically Latin America, The Middle East and Asia, where there is increasing demand for new services..

Aardvark’s development of new talent and innovative marketing of its roster of international stars will ensure a wide range of content choice for Mobile Streams’ operating partners. In turn, Mobile Stream’s continued investment in research and development will enable the two companies to work together to provide new and attractive mobile offerings for a broad range of audiences and tastes.

Alex di Savoia, Head of Communications and the person responsible for digital strategy and business development at Aardvark Music, said: “Partnerships like this are fuelled by consumer benefits. Music lovers want new music and they want music in formats to fit their lifestyles. The sheer scale and reach of Mobile Streams’ mobile content network takes Aardvark’s ability to deliver mobile content to the global community of music lovers to a completely new level. Aardvark has a rare ability to respond to local market conditions and develop digital music opportunities around the world through the strategic partnerships it makes.”

Warren Platt, Executive Vice President, Business Development said “Mobile Streams is delighted to be partnering with Aardvark to distribute their extensive Music and Content offering. Aardvark’s portfolio of artists fits very well with our strategy to deliver the latest hits and most compelling products to our global customer base. This deal further strengthens Mobile Streams’ position as the leader in delivering quality, innovative entertainment around the world.”

For Aardvark Music, the deal with Mobile Streams is the latest in a series of groundbreaking digital entertainment ventures, including high profile online partnerships. Last year, Aardvark was one of the first music companies to embrace the power of user-generated content by signing video distribution and revenue partnerships with ROO TV as well as distributing its videos through YouTube and then Google Video. Subsequent ventures include Facebook, Dailymotion and Last FM.

For further information, please contact:
Alex di Savoia, Head of Communications, Aardvark Music Ltd
Mobile: +44 7950 839 256, e-mail: alex@aardvarkrecords.co.uk

For Mobile Streams
Nadine Brokmann
+49-511-590 909-24
nadineb@mobilestreams.com

About Aardvark Records
Aardvark Music Ltd is a privately owned UK Limited Company. Its core business includes music publishing and music recording. With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Aardvark Music is home to Aardvark Records and the recently launched dance music subsidiary Aardvark Dance. Its notable acts include EricM, Everett Young, Little Spitfire, Yahel and Zetan Spore.

For more information about Aardvark Music Ltd, visit our corporate website at www.aardvarkrecords.co.uk

About Mobile Streams
Mobile Streams was established by Simon Buckingham in January 1999 and has been at the forefront of mobile messaging and content ever since. In 2000 the company first launched its mobile music brand Ringtones.com.

Today, Mobile Streams is a leading provider of music, comedy, cartoon animation, adult, graphics and entertainment content to mobile phones globally and is a leader in the field of made-for-mobile content production. The company’s mobile expertise and Vuesia distribution platform is used globally by some of the world’s largest media groups including Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media.

Mobile Streams distributes music and media content licensed from a portfolio of the world’s leading premium content companies to more than 100 mobile phone networks globally. Mobile Streams excels at putting together quality mobile content with quality mobile distribution, using its proprietary Vuesia technology platform to enable the mobilization of content on a global basis.

In January 2006, Mobile Streams formed a strategic alliance with US cable and media company Liberty Media Corporation. A month later, Mobile Streams was publicly listed on the London stock exchange.

Mobile Streams has subsidiaries in Germany, USA, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore.

14
Aug

ASCAP TOPS 300,000 MEMBERS

   Posted by: mwatkins    in Publishing News

New York, NY, August 13, 2007:  From Irving Berlin to Beyoncé, George
Gershwin to Green Day, Henry Mancini to Joan Sebastian, Duke Ellington to
Hans Zimmer, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
(ASCAP), the first and leading performing rights organization, has long
been driven by the talent and vision of its music creator members.  Today,
ASCAP announced a new milestone: the number of songwriters, composers and
music publishers to join the Society has now surpassed 300,000, providing
the voice of the music creator with increasing strength and influence in
the future of the music industry.

With reported record revenues of $785 million and royalty payments of $680
million for 2006, as well as an all-time low operating expense ratio of
12.0 percent, ASCAP emphasizes that its membership is the focal point of
the organization.  Founded in 1914, ASCAP is the only U.S. performing
rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and
music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the
membership.  During its 93-year history, ASCAP has developed a robust
membership.  In 2006 alone ASCAP elected over 40,000 new members.

“Today, the range of media, delivery systems and venues for performances of
music is vast and expanding,” said ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.  “Music is
everywhere and the fact that the public wants to discover new music and
listen to music all the time, wherever they are and whatever they are
doing, attests to music’s popularity and importance.  Music creators are
joining ASCAP in record numbers because, in the face of such great change
in the music industry, they see the value in a member-run organization
whose sole interest is in protecting their rights and cultivating their
careers.”

Reflecting the continuing evolution of the musical spectrum, ASCAP’s
repertory of over 8.5 million songs represents all genres of music.  And,
with ASCAP membership now growing by over 700 music creators a week, to
celebrate the 300,000th member milestone, ASCAP presents the profiles of
new members that are typical of today’s ASCAP:  Up-and-coming pop/rock
bands The Amaury and The Undeserving; established bluegrass family band
Cherryholmes, teenage rap phenomenon Lil’ Mama; award-winning television
composers Jeff Lippencott and Mark T. Williams; and legendary Regional
Mexican music icon Ramon Ayala.  Cherryholmes, Ayala, Lippencott and
Williams switched from another performing rights society to join ASCAP,
further emphasizing ASCAP’s leadership and the advantages of
member-ownership.

To view profiles of these new members and check out their music, please
visit http://www.ascap.com/playback/2007/summer/new_members/

As music creators pursue their goals in the industry and make their living
writing music, many join ASCAP to leverage the organization’s wide range of
customized member benefits.  Some of the value-added benefits ASCAP has
created for its members include: MusicPro Insurance®, which provides
affordable insurance for music professionals; Mediaguide, a
state-of-the-art music tracking service; and the annual ASCAP “I Create
Music” EXPO which helps attendees obtain the knowledge, tools and contacts
to maximize their success and inspire their work.  ASCAP also offers a wide
variety of retail, travel and association discounts.  For more information
about ASCAP or how to become a member, please visit http://www.ascap.com

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers) is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization
representing the world’s largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million
copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 300,000
songwriter, composer and music publisher members.  ASCAP also represents
the repertories created by the international affiliates of 90 foreign
performing rights organizations.  ASCAP protects the rights of its members
and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their
copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed
performances.  ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization
owned and governed by its writer and publisher members.  www.ascap.com

Franklin, Tenn. — August 7, 2007 — Music distribution developer PassAlong Networks™ today announced that it will add video content to its expansive digital catalog which it currently offers to clients who build their own digital download stores.

Through an agreement with CinemaNow, Inc. ( www.cinemanow.com), the premier online destination for downloadable movies, select content from its catalog of more than 7,000 movies and music videos will be made available to PassAlong clients who are interested in offering downloadable videos to their own customers.

“Over the past couple of years, a growing number of our clients have asked that we expand our catalog to include film, concert and music video content,” said Dave Jaworski, co-founder and CEO of PassAlong Networks. “We are excited to offer them these services.”

PassAlong Networks’ music distribution platform, StoreBlocksâ„¢, includes one of the industry’s largest music catalogs of 3 million songs, including 2 million songs from independent artists in MP3 format. StoreBlocks recently added EMI Music’s catalog in non-DRM, high-definition MP3 format. The StoreBlocks platform currently powers more than 120 online download stores, including BreakthruRadio, TransWorld’s f.y.e. – for your entertainment online music store and Procter & Gamble’s Julie’s Jukebox.

PassAlong Networks offers extensive Web services that allow clients to incorporate catalog offerings, metadata, search, personalization, check-out and transaction tools into the format and style guidelines they choose.

About StoreBlocksâ„¢
A full-service music distribution platform, StoreBlocks offers online retail store-building tools to enable clients to provide their end-consumers with a library of 3 million licensed songs, including 2 million in raw MP3 format, allowing for interoperability across multiple platforms and devices. Its powerful music referral system, Passing-and-Pointsâ„¢, offers easy-to-use rewards programs and legal music sharing. StoreBlocks, which offers a range of store options for everyone from individuals and charities to large corporations, currently powers more than 120 stores including BreakthruRadio, TransWorld’s f.y.e. –for your entertainment online music store and Procter & Gamble’s Julie’s Jukebox, a digital music store on HomeMadeSimple.com. Features include turnkey templates, Web services, reporting systems, e-commerce engines and storefront showcases. StoreBlocks is a division of PassAlong Networks and can be found at http://www.StoreBlocks.com .

About PassAlong Networksâ„¢
PassAlong Networks develops digital media innovations and services designed to enhance the Connected Consumerâ„¢ ecosystem while empowering artists and fans. PassAlong’s core technologies include: media libraries, digital media store-building platforms and Web services through the StoreBlocksâ„¢ division; consumer-direct media displays, widgets and notification services through the OnTour ® division; non-DRM protection technologies and media tracking through the FreedomMP3â„¢ division; and independent artist self-publishing and promotion through its subsidiary Speakerheart.com . Current initiatives include advertising premium incentive programs, ad-supported revenue models, variable-pricing programs, in-car music downloads, mobile devices, media place-shifting and device-shifting, digital video libraries and social networks. Founded in 2002, PassAlong Networks is privately held and based in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information, visit http://www.passalongnetworks.com .

OnTour, StoreBlocks, freedomMP3, PassAlong, Connected Consumer, Passing-and-Points and Speakerheart are trademarks of PassAlong Networks.

All other brands are trademarks of their respective owners.