Fox News' Roger Friedman has an article this morning that has a few items of note. The key items, in light of the recent departure of chairman Michael Cohl at Live Nation and the reasons behind his departure (a desire to sign many, expensive deals with superstar artists) have to do with two artists Friedman claims are being pursued by Live Nation. Sources have told him Live Nation is "on the brink of cutting a similar deal" with Nickelback (similar to the multi-rights deal signed by Madonna) and "is rumored to be making deals with" Shakira for "concerts and CDs" (no digital or mobile downloads or merchandise?).

The other part of the article is about how Friedman feels Warner Music Group is sitting on its hands rather than promote Madonna's latest album (and last studio album for WMG before she records for Live Nation). There has been all sorts of promotion before and after album the came out, so I wouldn't say WMG has done "little to nothing," as he wrote. Less-than-stellar sales for a 50-year-old singer's latest album just isn't a shock in a youth-driven record industry. But nobody expected WMG to pull out all the stops for an artist that left for a multi-rights deal with Live Nation. (The $120 million price tag should have WMG thankful it didn't win the bid.)

Friedman also wrote that WMG "has been on a tear planting negative stories" about Live Nation, though he didn't offer an example. No matter. Live Nation's poor stock performance -- a vote of little confidence in the company's strategy -- and the departure of Cohl are two very public negative stories that speak loudly.

[music jobs] Brand and Online Marketing Manager at The Ascot Club/Am Only; Brooklyn, NY.