EMI down under

Bernard Zuel in the Sydney Morning Herald writes a nice summary article about the challenges facing the record industry and the great opportunities arising in the music industry at the same time.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/how-the-record-rack-lost-its-groove/2008/08/10/1218306658207.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2

Nice quote:
In the 21st century, compact discs are much less in demand, but interest is growing in tickets for live music, merchandise, licensing in films and advertising and content provision in new media, alongside a technology-driven explosion in media. Ten years ago music marketing essentially involved print, radio and free-to-air television alone. These days there are phone companies, online music providers such as iTunes, pay TV, online media and film and television production houses.

Response:
The record industry is not the music industry. Is there a history of non-innovation among music industry leaders when new technology comes along? See piano rolls, radio, television, cable, internet, iPods, cellphones. Or does the music industry have different leaders at different times depending on what the new technology does?

Exiting EMI

■ Radiohead declined to re-sign, preferring to release albums online themselves and to sign with a small distribution label for disc sales.

■ The Rolling Stones switched back to Universal.

■ Paul McCartney left for the Starbucks label Hear Music.

■ Kasey Chambers moved to Festival Mushroom.

■ Australian indie label Eleven signed an agreement with Universal involving Missy Higgins, Silverchair, Little Birdy, Paul Mac and Kisschasy.

■ Robbie Williams did not commit to further recordings under the current regime.

■ Kylie Minogue, signed to EMI in Britain but Festival Mushroom in Australia, is said to be considering an exit.

■ Coldplay stayed under strict conditions including the use of outside promotions staff.