HANDS ON: GUY READS HIS E-MAIL

Newly ensconced EMI chief Guy Hands has gathered together some of the feedback he received from his staff since taking control into a little white book of quotes. Here is a sample, courtesy of the Financial Times:

● “You don’t need people with an ‘ear’ for hits. People will tell you what they like. It’s not magic. It is called market research.”

● “I’m tired of coming to work and feeling like we are piranhas.”

● “The major labels’ response to the Internet has been a massive failure of leadership, and their fall from grace should be taught as a cautionary tale at business schools.”

● “We need to move from a model of paying royalties to one of joint venture.”

● “300,000 sales can be massively successful and if we spend appropriately and creatively a record like that can be profitable.”

● “Let’s make the CD a premium product again.”

● “It’s all very well finding the hottest new artists and performers, but if you can’t build a relationship with them you will be nothing more than a legend at your own dinner parties.”

● “History can teach us: everyone thought the recordable cassette was the end of the record business—it wasn’t—we just have to re-invent the business model.”

● “It’s time for change.”