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The Beatles’ iTunes sales are expected to generate a sizable windfall for EMI, as well as a much-needed morale boost for the staff.

I.B. BAD ON THE COMING MAJOR LABEL METAMORPHOSIS

A Year From Now, at Least Three of the Big Four Will Look Radically Different Than They Do Today, According to Our Plugged-in Pundit
Guy Hands’ resounding defeat two weeks ago in the Terra Firma-Citigroup trial turned this once-proud financier into an object of public ridicule, while leaving EMI extremely vulnerable. Most believe the only thing Hands would get from an appeal, which he’s reportedly considering, would be further humiliation... A few days after the verdict, Roger Faxon sent out an internal memo claiming that neither Hands nor Citi intended to break up the company. But insiders say the rank and file at EMI was less than convinced by Faxon’s assurances, as wonderers wonder whether the leaking of internal memos represents a new press-release strategy. Faxon’s memo was trumped less than 24 hours later by a report that Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Warner Music were poised to make a $750 million bid for the record company. Meanwhile, BMG Rights Management, Marty Bandier’s Sony/ATV and Dutch company Imagem are said to be ready to jump on EMI Music Publishing when and if it becomes available. The prevailing belief is that Citi will eventually take control of EMI and separately sell off the two divisions… As for EMI’s recorded-music operation, industry watchers predict that UMG and Sony Music will join WMG in the bidding, spurred by the company’s deep and prestigious back catalog—including the Beatles, whose iTunes sales are expected to generate a sizable windfall for EMI, as well as a much-needed morale boost for the staff… If there’s a distinct possibility that EMI will look dramatically different a year from now, the same can be said of Sony and Universal. By then, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz will be history and Sony Music will have a new CEO, with speculation as to the identity of the new boss already at a fever pitch. No one disputes that Bandier has the skills to effectively run the music group, and he’d likely get the job if he were willing, but those close to the Sony/ATV chief say he’s happy where he is. On the other hand, legacies are built on the records side, not publishing, and the building of one could conceivably be a factor if Bandier has changed his mind. A high-profile candidate from outside Sony is said to be the industry favorite in the mix, though it’s unclear whether this renowned veteran has any interest in making the move... By this time next year, Lucian Grainge’s footprint will be all over UMG. Will he continue to cherry-pick executives from the U.K. and international divisions, having already brought Rob Wells and Boyd Muir to UMG world HQ in L.A. as head of global digital business and worldwide CFO, respectively… Those who have seen Grainge in action are impressed by his savvy and decisiveness, and he’s expected to be extremely hands-on as he attempts to drastically reduce fixed costs. This perception was strengthened earlier this week, when Vivendi CFO Philippe Capron stated, “A lot of fat can be taken out [of UMG] without hurting muscle and bones.”… The entire industry is wondering how the new boss will juggle his top executives on the East Coast, including IDJ’s L.A. Reid, Steve Bartels and David Massey, Universal Motown’s Sylvia Rhone and Universal Republic’s Monte Lipman. Also in play is Jason Flom, whose Lava is currently ensconced at Universal Republic, and whose signing Jessie J is blowing up in the U.K. Flom has an impressive track record as an A&R executive, as well as a long history with Morris; will he get a seat at Grainge’s table?… The situation on the West Coast is likely to remain stable, though rumors persist of Tom Whalley’s return, freeing up Jimmy Iovine to concentrate on projects like American Idol and the wildly successful Beats headphones/branded HP laptops enterprise. Regarding Beats, industry observers are asking whether UMG participates in this new revenue stream… Though nothing has yet been announced, the smart money is on the Rolling Stones launching their next world tour in 2011, with Live Nation, AEG and Michael Cohl all eager to produce it. The wild card in the expected competition is Stephen Bing, who has the money and the relationships. Bing, who is a big music fan, produced Martin Scorsese’s 2007 Stones concert film Shine a Light. When these suitors make their bids, involving hundreds of millions in guarantees, the key questions will be whether there will be stadiums as well as arenas, and how many high-end $400 tickets will be offered? The Stones’ last tour was the highest-grossing ever, taking in $558 million—but how bulletproof will the next one be in this economy?… Names in the Rumor Mill: Prince Rupert Loewenstein, Jeff Jones, Chris Wright, Arthur Fogel, Jeff Kwatinetz and Michele Anthony.
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TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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