Tagged: wmg

The invite I got last week from Google was only thinly disguised. Clearly a major music announcement is coming on Wednesday. But Google has disappointed me before with less than stellar music launches. According to CNet, they're about to do it again with a Google Music expansion that doesn't include music from Sony or WMG. Universal is definitely apart of the launch, but even EMI's involvement is unclear. The animosity between Google and the major labels runs deep, with rightsholders complaining that Google does not do enough to stem piracy in [...]

Warner Music Group has named Brian Roberts as EVP and CFO . He will succeed Steven Macri who is leaving the company. Roberts is currently an executive at Warner/Chappell Music. There were big changes at WMG Int'l. Re-configured apps by Songza, Pandora and Rhapsody will join Netflix, Twitter and thousands of other apps on the Kindle Fire. MORE: [...]

Universal Vivendi has reportedly walked away from talks to buy EMI's recorded music division leaving WMG close to a deal for around $1.5 billion. ( WSJ ) Is Twitter getting serious about music? They've hired former Disney Music marketer manager Tatiana Simonian (@drtatiana) to head music partnerships for its Content and Programming team. Major layoffs are spreading through both Clear Channel and Cumulus radio groups. [...]

Oh Ladytron. You surprise us with such another lovely video. Quite an artistic, period video that is fashion-forward at the same time. Thanks to the lovely Miles Devin for the recommendation. Download the video: Download the song:

Although still around if you search correctly (ssshhh) , Warner Music Group signalled their intentions as to the future of TV Girls "If You Want It" just last month , prompting quite a backlash from certain blogs in the process. continue reading >>

TV Girl sent out an email to all their most loyal friends within the music industry today, in order to clear a few issues up regarding recent copyright infringement claims. continue reading >>

(UPDATED) Universal Music Group will be among the bidders for EMI Music Group , a source close to the label has told the LA Times . Since Warner Music Group along with several others have also expressed strong interest, the stage is being set for an aggressive competition for the beleaguered music group. Why is there so much interest in EMI? Universal is reportedly focused on EMI's label group which includes such top selling artists as Katy Perry, Beastie Boys and Lady Antebellum. But Universal may [...]

WMG is settling the two class action lawsuits brought by shareholders upset with the company's recent sale, according to Billboard . CD and DVD wholesaler Alliance Entertainment has named former Universal Music Enterprises executive Mike Davis as president. Alan Tuchman resigned as CEO in April. MORE: Licensing and royalty service provider RightsFlow has added enhanced support for record label and distribution clients licensing to [...]

NewsCorp is nearing a deal for MySpace , but it may be more of a partnership than a sale. ( Wall Street Journal ) Reactions are mixed to Apple's new iCloud and iTunes Match services. They fully don't launch until fall, but if you can try some features of iCloud for free now. Here's how via BI . Stephen Friedman, MTV's new president worships his audience, loves social media, and defends the Situation. ( AdWeek ) So Steve, where's [...]

WMG's Vice Chairman of Strategy and Operations Michael Fleisher is leaving after helping to structure the music group's recent sale. "I have made the decision that now is the right time for me to leave the company to return to a leadership role in a growth-stage venture ," he said in a statement. I guess that top execs are finally admitting that WMG isn't a "growth stage" venture? Sony stumbles: Did Stringer's makeover fail? ( Reuters Special Report ) A [...]

According to multiple sources final bids are in the hands of the Warner Music Group board for review and they hope to finalize a deal quickly. The three bidders remaining are billionaire investor Len Blavatnik's Access Industries; a joint bid from Tom and Alec Gores' Platinum Equity and Gores Group; and a pair of separate bids from Sony Corp's recorded music arm and publishing units in partnership from investor Ron Perelman and Guggenheim Partners respectively, according to Reuters . CEO Executive Edgar Bronfman Jr and his board are said to want to close the [...]

Both EMI and Warner Music are in need of new owners that have robust balance sheets. ( Guardian ) Some believe that the real end game for top investors is to combine the two music groups. ( NYT ) A list of the top 4 bidders and 1 dark horse here . The Philadelphia Orchestra has filed for bankruptcy and plans to restructure. Google Music Label Talks "Going Backwards" ( Media Memo ) [...]

Is the life-support plug about to be pulled on Warner Music Group?

Hypebot posts this roundup of music business news each weekday morning and publishes breaking stories throoughout the day. For breaking new also follow @ hypebot on Twitter . With sale and bid rumors flying, analysts Zacks Investment reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Warner Music Group last week and analysts at Needham reiterated their "buy" rating. The WSJ takes a look at whether or not [...]

Warner Music Group have announced a partnership with the makers of the popular Tap Tap Revenge game. The game developer, Tapulous , will now be allowed to sell music from Warner Music Group 's large catalog of artists on their mobile games. Under the deal, Tapulous , will develop "premium games" which will feature popular Warner Music Group artists as well as including music downloads from the labels catalog on their Tap Tap Revenge game as well as their new hit Riddim Ribbon game. [...]

Creators of the once popular peer-to-peer file sharing program Kazaa are launching a new music subscription service. The service, which they have named Rdio , is similar to other well-known subscription services such as MOG , Napster , and Zune Pass , but with a social twist. For $5 to $10 a month users will have unlimited access to the services large catalog of artists. As of now, however, the only major label who has licensed its catalog to the service is Warner Music Group . [...]

Warner Music has decided against licensing new music to online streaming sites like Last.FM, Pandora and others. Citing his belief that these sites, which deliver his artists' music to untold potential new fans, was not "positive" for the music industry,...

Watch But Don't Listen Popular internet meme "the keyboard cat" showed up in a video mashup that also includes the song "You Make My Dreams Come True". The song had been shipped off to oldies heaven until someone mixed a keyboard playing cat into the original Hall & Oates video. 350,000 YouTube views into it's resurection, WMG had a enough and forced a takedown. Who lost? WMG who lost any the chance to monetize new interest in the mothballed track.

In what seems to be a gobsmackingly obvious move, the major labels in conjunction with digital music retailers like Zune Store, Amazon, Rhapsody and iTunes have announced "Digital 45s" on the 60th anniversary of the 73 45 record. The big announcements are really in conjunction with Apple's iTunes Store that they are calling "D453 and use that nifty logo pictured on the left. Digging through the press-releases shows that Warner Music Group is represented by Rhino which should represent the full compliment of WMG labels which includes Atlantic/Atco, Elektra/Asylum, Warner Brothers, Reprise and Sire- so [...]

Terra Firma Prepares Another $486M Injection, If... Publicly EMI is touting its success with Lily Allen, Coldplay, Akon and The Black Eyed Peas. They are also reportedly sitting on a treasure trove of unreleased Michael Jackson songs. But The Guardian is reporting that behind the scenes EMI continues to have severe financial troubles and owner Terra Firma is coming to the rescue with £300 million ($486 million USD). Before Terra Firma injects the millions, however, it's had Guy Hands is asking [...]