After a downright dismal year for CD sales, it isn’t a surprise that some U.S. labels are calling all hands on deck and announcing new partnerships.
After a downright dismal year for CD sales, it isn’t a surprise that some U.S. labels are calling all hands on deck and announcing new partnerships.
•Mr. Avery Lipman will now be the Co-President of Universal Republic Records.
•Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records left EMI to reach an agreement with Ryko, giving Ryko the right to distribute and re-issue Real World’s catalog in the U.S.
•Warner Music Group’s ADA will acquire the independent online retailer Insound.com. The retailer’s co-founder, Matt Wishnow, will stay on board.
•Sony BMG announces a departure from protected music with the Platinum MusicPass (MSRP $12.99) that will be sold in Target, f.y.e., Best Buy and other retailers. The Platinum MusicPass is a MP3 download card that can be redeemed at musicpass.com.
Don’t be shocked if major labels look for even more ways to expand their digital business over the next few months. While album sales were down 15 percent, digital sales were up 50 percent, accounting for 10 percent of total album sales in 2007.