May 8, 2007

• Digital Music News reported the names of some Warner Music execs who have or will leave their posts: Nikke Slight, Atlantic SVP of New Media, and Robin Bechtel, head of new media at Warner Bros. Records. Those departures have led to the entry of Jack Isquith, formerly with AOL Music. Isquith will report directly to Warner Bros. chief executive Tom Whalley. (Digital Music News)

• PassAlong Networks announced version 2.0 of freedomMP3. The new version adds track-based rules that allow rightsholders to predetermine how many times the song can be moved off a PC. (Press release)

• EMI Music UK announced a strategic partnership with TLC Marketing to launch a download royalty card that will be used in third-party promotions. TLC has brand partnerships with Samsung, First Direct and British Gas. The promotion will allow consumers to download songs from an EMI owned and branded website. (Creative Match)

• With every concert ticket purchased online, Ticketmaster is giving away a free, ten-song digital sampler. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, each ticket purchased will get one free download at iTunes. (Press release)

• A report by eMarketer finds that the music industry as a whole is "healthy" and "growth in many other areas will more than make up for the shortfall" in falling CD sales. Growth in music publishing and live music will help the industry grow at an average annual rate of 2.8% through 2011. (Press release)

• Guitar Center announced its Q1 2007 results. Net sales increased 13.5% to $534.5 million and earnings rose to $17.2 million. The company opened 12 new stores during the quarter, one being the result of an acquisition of the former Victor's House of Music in Paramus, New Jersey. (Press release)

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Posted by Glenn at 11:41 AM | | | DRM | EMI | Marketing | Warner Music Group | iTunes