snapshot 1/29/08

U2 manager takes Internet providers to task
Paul McGuinness, longtime manager of rock band U2, has called on Internet service providers to immediately introduce disconnection policies to end illegal music downloads and urged governments to make sure they do. He spread the blame between record labels that "through lack of foresight and planning allowed a range of industries to arise that let people steal music"; Silicon Valley companies that create marvelous devices but "don't think of themselves as makers of burglary kits"; and governments who "created a thieves' charter" by agreeing that ISPs should not be responsible for what passes along their pipes.


Distributor to Distributor, IODA Goes Dealmaking
Independent digital distributor IODA has now added seven new distributors to its clientele, according to information disclosed Monday in Cannes. The new clients span Europe, Australia, and the US, part of an increasingly international roster. Creative Vibes, Darla, Integral, JetStar, Malaco, Rev Distribution, and Tesco are now tapping the IODA digital distribution infrastructure, a move that opens access to roughly 350 digital retailers, mobile outlets and subscription services.

The deals call for IODA to offer a custom-branded version of its Rightsholder Dashboard, which enables automated selection and management of distributed content. For IODA, that amounts to an extension of existing distribution infrastructure, and a less hands-on - and more scalable - expansion approach. "IODA is a technology company, not just a digital distributor," explained Tommy Couch, Jr., general manager of Malaco Records. "This makes a big difference as it enables them to simultaneously offer the strongest technology platform for marketing and distribution while leveraging deep industry relationships and music industry experience."


White Labeling Finds Religion; EMI, Passalong Join Forces
EMI Christian Music Group (CMG) has now tapped Nashville-based Passalong Networks on a white label offering, according to deal points disclosed Monday. The partners have jointly created ChristianDigitalStore.com, a backend offering that features content from EMI CMG, Warner Music Group's Word Entertainment, Sony BMG's Provident Music Group, and various independent labels.

The ready-made Christian download store is being offered to retailers, radio stations, and other religious organizations interested in a customized storefront. "EMI CMG is already well established in the Christian market and together we can offer retailers, radio stations and other associations a powerful, easy and effective way to offer a good value proposition for consumers," explained Dave Jaworski, cofounder and chief executive of Passalong.


Young Eschewing CDs For 'Archives' Project
"I know it's in technical production now, but it's only coming out on Blu-ray and DVD," he said during an interview at the Sundance Film Festival, where he and his Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young bandmates unveiled their "Deja Vu" documentary. "There won't be CDs. Technology has caught up to what the concept was in the first place [and] how we're able to actually present it. But there's no doubt it will come out this year."That's right: no CDs, a format Young has long despised due to its audio limitations. Instead, Young is utilizing DVD capabilities to present an interactive "time line" for the music, allowing users to experience articles and film clips from a song's given era as well as ephemera like lyric sheets.


NY Daily News, EMI To Offer Free Downloads To Readers
The New York Daily News and EMI have cooked up a promo for this Sunday (Super Bowl) and Feb. 10 (Grammys): three free downloads for readers of each day’s NYDN. Each copy of the paper on those days will have an insert with a unique code that can be keyed in at NYDailyNews.com for three downloads from a library of more than 120,000 songs, including some from Grammy-nominated artists. One of the songs is a Ringo Starr exclusive from his new album Liverpool 8.

Just once, I’d like companies doing these promos to be straight about the results. Apple-Starbucks, Amazon-Pepsi, NYDN-EMI—how many people actually take advantage of the free downloads? And how many like me, who literally wind up throwing codes away because of expiration dates in small print or the like? (A considerable amount of iTunes-Starbuck cards never even made it to consumers—at least if the stacks I saw at stores are a legit indication—but no way to figure that out anecdotally.)