More from the EMI appointments file (I've got the EMI redundancies file out on my desk too – that is surely going to be needed any day now), and the major has hired Cory Ondrejka, a co-founder of the company behind virtual world Second Life, into a senior digital role in its recorded music division. I'm not sure whether the idea is that Onderjka gives Guy Hands' record company a second life, or whether it means all bands released by the record company from this point onwards will be virtual, but both could help the struggling major I suppose.
The new recruit will be based in LA and will "draw from past experience to build the digital strategy for EMI Music, drive innovation around new revenue opportunities and build a world-class engineering team for the company". Exciting stuff. EMI Music's chief digital man (and former Google exec) Douglas Merrill told CMU: "Cory shares my passion for driving technology and innovation in the digital music business. His unique experience building online environments, like Second Life, will be invaluable to EMI Music, as we create new digital communities for fans and artists. Adding Cory to the leadership team of the company continues to reinforce our commitment to the digital market".
Ondrejka himself added: "EMI presented me with a rare opportunity to influence the digital music industry, by helping artists reach their fans in more relevant ways and by allowing fans to find and acquire music through new business models. The technology is available to make the music experience better. I intend to apply it and to find new ways to drive innovation at EMI Music".