snapshot 7/3/08

Vinyl LP is back in mainstream rotation
Toe-tappers snapped up nearly 1 million records last year, a 15 percent increase and the highest level in three years, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The most recent is Richfield-based Best Buy Co. Inc., which is launching a pilot project at an undisclosed number of stores.


Celebrate Independents Day '08
July 4th is Independence Day in America, but worldwide it's also a celebration of independent music. Starting in New Zealand and ending in the US, activities include an auction of independent music memorabilia via eBay and limited edition albums featuring independent talent from all over the globe supported by a retail campaign and series of one-off music shows and retrospectives across TV and radio. Proceeds benefit independent music initiatives. Learn more and get involved here.


Mid-Year Sales Report: Top Sellers, Market Share And More
At the mid-point of 2008, U.S. album sales stand at an 11% decline when compared to the same period a year ago. Though not as precipitous a drop as the one recorded in the first half of 2007 (15.1%), this year's first half tally is 204.6 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That’s compared to 229.8 million units scanned in the first six months of 2007.

That drop is fueled largely by the 16.3% decrease in CD sales; digital albums posted a 34.4% increase to 31.6 million units and now account for 15.4% of album sales. Digital tracks continue to be a bright spot, growing 30% to 532.7 million units in the six month period ended June 29. That compares with the 417.3 million recorded in the six-month period ended July 1, 2007.


MySpace Music: When Will It Finally Appear?
When will the heavily-hyped MySpace Music finally hit the airwaves? The initiative, first splashed in April, now appears months away. One source pointed to a continuing chief executive search, while another referenced a missing deal with fourth major EMI Music Group.

It remains unclear when those and other show-stoppers will be resolved, though a MySpace representative loosely pointed Digital Music News to a launch "by the end of the year" in discussions Monday. That mostly likely means a release by the fall or beyond, depending on a variety of factors.

The broad-based concept will deliver a number of revenue-generators, including DRM-free downloads, mobile-based assets, ad-supported streaming audio and video, merchandise, and concert tickets. Those elements will be tightly integrated into the artist profile, part of a more comprehensive promotional and sales approach. Participating majors are taking a piece of the revenue action.


EMI Market Share Dips Below 10 Percent; Indies Approach 14
EMI posted a recorded industry market share of less than 10 percent during the first half, according Nielsen Soundscan figures. Specifically, the troubled label group rallied a 9.4 percent share, down from 10.4 percent during the comparable period last year. Others also lost ground, including the dominant Universal Music Group. UMG slipped slightly to 31.2 percent, down from 31.5 percent earlier. Elsewhere, Sony BMG moved downward to 24.8 percent, from 25.3 percent previously.

Gainers included Warner Music Group and the independent sector. Warner bumped to 20.8 percent, up from 20 percent, and the independent sector posted a share of 13.9 percent, up from 12.9 percent during the comparable period last year.