• In an effort to improve margins, Universal Music Group will bring back deluxe editions of CD releases for the fourth quarter (at least in the UK). Standard versions will also be available. (Music Week)

• EMI has appointed Elio Leoni-Sceti as its new music unit chief executive. On Leoni-Sceti's resume are stints at consumer product companies Reckitt Benckiser and Proctor & Gamble. (AP)

• More executive changes at EMI. Billy Mann, EMI Music’s Chief Creative Officer is in for departing President, A&R Labels - International and President - EMEA, JF Cecillon. (Alley Insider)

• The Orchard "substantially completes" its acquisition of TVT Records' assets (which includes masters, artist contract and office lease but not publishing). (Press release)

• A campaign by McCann-Erickson for Universal Music Group will give MasterCard users free downloads at www.priceless.com. After giving away the first 100,000, each track will cost $0.80. Being a Mastercard user I went to the site to test it out. After jumping through too many hoops, I ended up an an Amplified.com page and just gave up after being asked to register again. The prize packages are cool, but the free download aspect is pretty weak. (Billboard.biz)

• In Australia, brick-and-mortar sales of #1 albums dropped 30% and #1 singles dropped 40% in the first half of 2008. Those figures are not for all albums or singles, just the #1 singles. (Herald Sun)

• I haven't posted an article about vinyl's popularity in a few weeks, so here's another one. The article says vinyl sales in Ireland were up 20% in the first half of 2008. That's puny compared to the 77% increase in the U.S. in the first half of the year. (Times Online)

• Live Nation has purchased a controlling interest in France's Main Square Festival. (AP)

• A profile of Soundtrax, which makes music download cards. (Duluth News Tribune)

[music jobs] New York University is seeking a Department Chair for The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.