Yesterday the The Business Online reported that prior to EMI's failed bid for his company, Warner Music Group's Edgar Bronfman is exploring the possibility of obtaining Bertelsmann's music publishing unit "in the event it become available." The theory is that a larger Warner Chappel music publishing would offer Bronfman a better exit strategy in the event WMG is acquired by EMI, which would lead to the sale of WMG's publishing and leave Bronfman as head of the indepedent publishing company.

If Bronfman has even a tenth of the ego people say he does, he will need to be in the business of recorded music. Though he songwriting on his resume, Bronfman should know that music publishing the less glittery, more practical cousin to recorded music. Labels are where the great egos and personalities can be found. They get the attention, the Page Six mentions, the more widespread adulation (and ridicule).

In the first three months of 2006, Warner Chappel had lower revenue that in the previous year -- $129 million versus $154 million. For the six months ending March 31st, 2006, revenues were lower -- $260 million versus $309 million the previous year. Operating income was steady, though.