EMI top bloke Guy Hands has reportedly sent a letter to his artists reassuring them about his plans for the major record company. The letter followed that memo to EMI staff, widely reported on last month, that accused some artists of not pulling their weight, and of being more interested in securing the highest possible advance than working with the label for mutual gain. But the new letter, sent last month but reported on by the Telegraph this weekend, says media reports on the letter to staff were ''highly selective" and that he wanted to reassure them they were still at the "epicentre" of the major's future plans.
According to the Telegraph, the new letter reads: "Firstly, let me say how much I am looking forward to working with you, your managers and our staff at EMI to transform the company into the really successful business we know it can and should be. Terra Firma is very committed to the future of EMI and the contribution of our artists is central to the success of the company. Believe me, I do know how hard you work in the creation and promotion of your records. We really value the collaborative relationship you have with the many EMI staff globally, who work on your projects. The point I was trying to make [in my earlier letter] was that when EMI Music provides truly world class service levels to you all, we would then earn the right to choose the artists we work with and we would want to work together to ensure our mutual success".
In related news, the Telegraph has spoken to the Music Manager Forum's Jazz Summers, who manages EMI signed The Verve, and who is part of a consortium of managers of artists who are signed to EMI labels. He says that he has found the new EMI top man "very bright and willing" but added "I don't think he really understands the artistic process. He's not dealing with motorway cafes in Germany or pubs. Terra Firma need a lesson in artist management". That said, Summers says he and other artist managers are yet to form a proper opinion on the new chief, and that they remain hopeful that John Birt, hired by Hands to review the major's operations, has more appreciation of the artists' viewpoint.