| CMU Daily - on the inside Friday 26th May |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Blunt and Tunstall win at Ivor Novellos
- Beanie Sigel shot
- Ludacris in the witness stand over plagiarism charges
- Ice Cube says Bush is as bad as Saddam
- Album review: Keith - Red Thread
- Bertelsmann confirm publishing company sale
- BMG Japan rejig
- SonyBMG rootkit settlement approved
- Supreme Court rejects Jackson appeal
- Winning unsigned band named for Soundstation festival
- Album review: Tunng - Comments Of The Inner Chorus
- Klaxons cancel live gig
- Monkeys play teeny gig with new bassist
- DJ Shadow dates
- Snow Patrol extend tour
- Paul Weller one-off
- New Motorhead album
- Single review: Mojave 3 - Breaking The Ice
- EMAP appoint people
- IPC appoint people too
- CBS and Stern might have reached a deal
- Flaunt goes gay
- Plans for Pussycat Dolls dolls scrapped
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TOP BIT>>
So, we're running a bit late today. Partly because I overslept - recovering from the combined excitement of sitting a property law exam and getting to see Bell X1 for the first time, all in one evening. Partly because Caro got stranded between Lewisham and Greenwich after it materialised that, possibly as expected, the Docklands Light Railway cannot operate when someone turns off the electricity supply. Coupled with that, we're both very very tired - it being the final few days of the Brighton Festival which, as we might have mentioned eight million times before, we've been covering via our other title, ThreeWeeks. It's a good job there's one of those Bank Holidays on Monday. Or at least it would be, if we weren't now busy wading through a rather scarily high pile of application forms from students keen to join the ThreeWeeks Edinburgh Festival team this summer. But that's not to say we're not still welcoming more, us being glutton for punishment and all - so if you are a student (or you know one) who'd like to join the ThreeWeeks in Edinburgh team then check out http://www.collegemedianetwork.co.uk/3weeksedinburgh - but do it quick, the deadline for applications is next Wednesday. This is also your very final chance to advertise summer internship vacancies in our CMU internships guide thing - we'll be publishing it next week - so if you want to sneak your internship offers in send details about your company and what an internship would involve to [email protected] So, no Daily on Monday, but rest assured, there'll be plenty going on at CMU central (OK, we'll be going to the big end-of-Brighton-Festival-awards-party too, but we'll be working very hard there as well).
PS: So busy has May been, we forgot to flag up the fact that CMU was eight years old on 18 May, oops. Ah well, the CMU Daily is four years old on 21 Jun, you can all send presents in for that one instead.
PPS: See, I knew we were running late for a reason - breaking news - Andy Taylor has been removed as CEO and a director of Sanctuary Music to be replaced by one Frank Presland, CEO of Twenty-First Artists management. I suspect this is a big story - so I am guessing we'll have more on Tuesday.
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EVENTS N STUFF>>
*** BRANDS, BANDS & AUDIENCES 7th June 2006, The Waldorf, London
Do you want to secure global brand partnerships? Are you looking at new media as an extra revenue driver? Do you want to meet leading brands, music labels, new media giants, and those with the knowledge to help drive the profile of your music? Emap's one day event - Brands, Bands & Audiences - in association with Kerrang, Audience, Smash Hits, Media & Marketing Europe, In the City, Record Of The Day, Kiss, Magic, Q, and Mojo IS THE ONE PLACE to gain expert advice from all sectors of the industry. Can you afford to miss out? Full info at http://www.mandmeurope.com/brandsandbands
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ON AIR>>
TODAY ON TOTALROCK
The Mighty Twang talks to Manowar's Eric Adams ('Helldrive', 3-6pm). On Saturday, May 27, Talita's guests will be Sikth ('Breakfast At Talita's, 9am to noon). Neal Kay joins Malcolm Dome for another fun-filled Rock 'N' Roll Roundtable Circus ('Doom & Co.', 6-9pm). On Sunday, May 28, Talita will be airing a major interview with Madball ('Breakfast At Talita's, 9am to noon).
Listen live at http://www.totalrock.com.
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
Same Six Questions: Barry Ashworth
The mighty (and he is mighty) Barry Ashworth may be best known as one of those Dub Pistols, but he is also putting out some very fine music through his new venture Dogtown Clash, and he's a really rather good DJ (if I remember rightly he DJd at a CMU Christmas party back in the days when there was such a thing, and he rocked). Anyway, tonight he co-hosts PayDay at West London's Neighbourhood and to celebrate we posed him the Same Six Questions.
MySpace Of The Day: Grizzly Bear
These guys could be our Live Tip, because they are playing London's Bardens Boudoir tomorrow night (7.30pm - 2am, 39 - 44 Stoke Newington Rd - press info from Seb & Fiona) - but on the off chance you can't make it, we suggest you spend a few minutes over on these guys' MySpace. The press release says "their sound is distinctive, evocative, and wholly mesmerizing", and I'm struggling to find a better way of putting it. Signed to Warp, they've been going a while but released their debut album in the UK earlier this year. There are four tracks to preview on the MySpace, and if they appeal lower down the page you'll find out where you can buy a copy of a remixed version of the album. Oh, and there are more UK dates in the next ten days. Perhaps we'll make them live tip next week.
http://myspace.com/grizzlybear
All this and more at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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CMU FRIDAY TIPS
VIGSY'S CLUB TIP: Bliss
It's the second birthday of Bliss tonight, and once again this Brixton club will be showcasing that funky Balearic vibe. Joining the stalwarts to enjoy the bday bash will be Ibiza legend Gee Moore, from the notorious White Isle's Bora Bora Beach Bar - he'll be playing an alternative set tonight, alongside Pacha favourite Funky4Love. And of course residents Brady and Chris James will be there, as will Andy Cessford. Should be good.
Fri 26 May, 10pm - 6am, £6 b4 Midnight, £8 after, Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London, SW9, info at http://www.brixtonjamm.org
CARO'S LIVE TIP: Tom McRae
Okay. This is probably my last 'Brighton Tip' for a while. Even I'm getting bored of all this cross-promotion. Tom McRae is, as I'm sure you already know, a highly acclaimed UK singer-songwriter who's been around for a few years now. He's on tonight at the Spiegelgarden in Brighton as part of the new Carousel singer-songwriters' festival. I can't go, because I'm not going to be in Brighton this evening, and besides which, I think I may have made a prior appointment with my duvet (it's been a tough week), but you should go, if you're in Brighton. Actually, even if you're not in Brighton, get the train. OK, may well not be feasible for those of you in the north of the country. Your day will come, my friends. Maybe.
Friday 26 May, Spiegelgarden, Old Steine, Brighton, 9pm, £10 (£8), info/tickets from http://www.komedia.co.uk, press from [email protected]
CHRIS' CLUB TIP: PayDay
You know the deal. Well, I'm assuming you do. Perhaps you don't. Well, Xfm's Eddy TM and Dub Pistol's Barry Ashworth are your hosts at this monthly night over their at West London's Neighbourhood presenting a very fine mix of, well, everything you'd expect from Eddy TM and Barry Ashworth. Tonight the guest of honour is Mylo, who will take to the decks alongside his label mate Linus Loves. Mr Ashworth will also be spinning the tunes. It'll be good. That's the deal.
Fri 26 May, 7.30pm - 2am, £10 in advance, £15 on the door, Neighbourhood, 12 Acklam Road, London, W10, press info from Get Involved
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BLUNT AND TUNSTALL WIN AT IVOR NOVELLOS
James Blunt and KT Tunstall were crowned the king and queen of British songwriting yesterday (though no crowns were distributed, which was a lost opportunity if you ask me) with the former taking two gongs at the Ivor Novello awards, while the latter took the prestigious Best Song prize.
Blunt hit back at his critics after taking the awards for Most Performed Song and International Hit Of The Year, both for 'You're Beautiful', though he did joke: "I'm going to be rude about this before anyone else has the chance - thank you so much for the award for most overplayed song."
Accepting her award, for her song 'Suddenly I See', Tunstall said: "I've been writing songs for 15 years and it's amazing to just sit in your room and do something that you like doing and it turns into this. It gives you a kick up the arse to carry on". Acknowledging that the Ivor Novellos, as awards for songwriters rather than singers, are particularly well respected in the industry, she continued: "This is the 'brainy' award. My physicist father and my teacher mother will be very pleased the word 'intellectual' has been mentioned".
Other winners at the London event included Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, who were named Songwriters Of The Year; Kaiser Chiefs, who won Best Album for 'Employment'; and New Order, who won a career recognition award - Outstanding Song Collection. Coldplay, who were nominated for three awards, won nothing because, apparently, it turns out their songs are a bit rubbish.
Elsewhere, Harrison Birtwistle, who won the classical music award for Best Composer, did his bit to boost relations between the classical and pop genres by telling everyone at the awards event that they were brain-dead fools. Having seen performances from some of his fellow winners he said: "Why is your music so loud? You must all be brain-dead. Maybe you are. I didn't know so many clichés existed until the last half-hour. Have fun. Goodbye". Thanks Harrison, we love your weird classical nonsense too.
The winners in full were as follows:
Best Song Musically & Lyrically: KT Tunstall - Suddenly I See (Publisher: Sony/ATV)
PRS Most Performed Work: James Blunt / Amanda Ghost / Sach Skarbekuk - You're Beautiful (Publisher: Bucks Music Group / EMI Music Publishing)
Best Television Soundtrack: Rob Lane for music to 'Elizabeth I' (Publisher: Bucks Music Group)
Outstanding Song Collection: New Order
Best Selling UK Single: Jorgen Elofsson / Jeremy Godfrey / Bill Padley - That's My Goal (performed by Shayne Ward) (Publisher: BMG / Universal)
Album Award: Kaiser Chiefs - Employment (Publisher: Universal)
The Ivors Classical Music Award: Harrison Birtwistle
International Hit Of The Year: James Blunt / Amanda Ghost / Sach Skarbekuk - You're Beautiful (Publisher: Bucks Music Group / EMI Music Publishing)
Best Original Film Score: Francis Shaw for music to 'Evil' (Publisher: Copyright Control)
Best Contemporary Song: Athlete - Wires (Publisher: Chrysalis Music)
International Achievement: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Songwriters Of The Year: Damon Albarn & Jamie Hewlett
PRS Outstanding Contribution To British Music: Ray Davies
The Special International Award: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
The Academy Fellowship: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb (posthumous) and Robin Gibb
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BEANIE SIGEL SHOT
US rap star Beanie Sigel, real name Dwight Grant, has been shot during an attempted robbery, but is thought to be in a good condition following treatment at the University Of Pennsylvania hospital. The attempted robbery, according to US police, was perpetrated by five men who held Sigel up by boxing him in with two cars, and subsequently shot the hip-hopper in the arm. Sigel drove himself to hospital following the incident.
Police said there was still some confusion about where the robbery actually took place, but detectives added: "He has cooperated, he's told us what happened. We don't know if they knew who he was. He was in a lot of pain but good spirits"
Sigel was, as previously reported, last year cleared of attempted murder in a second trial over a 2003 shooting, and was sentenced to two years' probation in January for committing assault, again back in 2003.
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LUDACRIS IN THE WITNESS STAND OVER PLAGIARISM CHARGES
Ludacris took to the witness stand yesterday in the previously reported court case over allegations that the rapper stole lyrics and beats from a 2001 track from New Jersey outfit IOF for his 2003 hit 'Stand Up'. IOF say the song, with its regular use of the line "just like that", was a rip-off of their song which used the line "straight like that".
Crucial to IOF's case is the claim that, while their track had only an underground release, they know that Ludacris had access to the song. He, however, denies that fact. When asked by IOF's lawyer Mel Sachs whether he was aware of the expression "straight like that" prior to writing 'Stand Up', Ludacris replied: "No sir. I never heard anyone use the term. I do not know what the term 'straight like that' means, sir."
He was then asked if he was denying claims by IOF that he had received copies of their song at three shows in 2002 and 2003. Ludacris: "I'm definitely saying that, sir."
The case continues. Ludacris' lawyers are trying to prove that the lyrics and beats used in the two songs are two generic to claim that one stole from the other.
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ICE CUBE SAYS BUSH IS AS BAD AS SADDAM
Ice Cube is the latest star to speak out about the American administration, saying that he sees no difference between America and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. He made the comments when talking about his new album 'Laugh Now, Cry Later', which features a track called 'Why We Thugs' which deals with US law enforcers and President Bush.
According to breakingnews, he said: "What's the difference between Saddam's tactics and what the federal and local government can do? I know people that's been tortured in jail. I know people that's been pulled out of their house in the middle of the night. But see, we just call them LAPD. We call 'em sheriffs. Saddam wasn't out there doing it with his own hands. He had his people. His people worked for the federal government. Same tactics. There's nothing happening in Iraq that ain't happening here on this soil, so, to me, it's the same shit."
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ALBUM REVIEW: Keith - Red Thread (Lucky Number Music)
I love bands from Manchester. Sure, they're not all brilliant, but it's an undeniable statistic that so many of them are frankly awesome; as such, any new such group's material gets me slavish with excitement. Keith (awful name), you might have gathered, are from the North West's musical Mecca. They're not quite in the realms of greatness achieved by some of their contemporaries, but are certainly heading in the right direction. We're talking melodic indie here, albeit with a funkiness (I'm loathe to use that word) allied to the subtly anthemic music. 'Back There', for example, has a tightness to its groove that the famed Manc rhythm sections of Rourke/Joyce or Mani/Reni would surely approve of. The Smiths and The Stone Roses are in fact the most viable reference points, although for contemporary comparisons you can bracket Keith in with the likes of The Longcut. There are myriad eclectic influences tucked away too - you can hear touches of '68 psychedelia, Keane-style piano balladry, shoegazing and African tribal rhythms that all serve to reiterate how, in Tony Wilson's words, "Manchester kids have the best record collections". Whilst there's no real emotional punch (if you're looking for the densely layered melancholy of Elbow or Doves, you won't find it here), and the odd concession to self-indulgent 'jamming', 'Red Thread' remains full of summery guitar pop and song writing promise. MS
Release date: 29 May
Press contact: In House [all]
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BERTELSMANN CONFIRM PUBLISHING COMPANY SALE
Anyone wanting to buy a music publishing firm will soon be spoilt for choice, because following the news that the owners of independent publishing outfit Windswept had put it up for sale, major pubs firm BMG Music Publishing is now up for grabs. I'm thinking of buying both of them, so if anyone has a spare £billion lying around they'd like to lend me, the number's at the bottom of today's Daily.
BMG Music Publishing is up for sale, of course, as parent company Bertelsmann try to stop their minority shareholder Groupe Bruxelles Lambert from selling its 25.1% stake in the group on the stock exchange - they want to buy GBL out instead. Doing so requires a large sum of money, which will either have to be borrowed, or raised by flogging off some of Bertelsmann's assets.
It has been assumed for a while that Bertelsmann's music companies were favourite to be sold, though some felt the group's 50% stake in SonyBMG would go before their wholly owned publishing firm. But the possibility of a sale of that stake in the major record company was not mentioned in Bertelsmann's statement on the publishing company sale yesterday, although it is thought a bridging loan will be used to fill the gap between the profits from the publishing firm sale and what is needed to buy out GBL.
Commenting on the plans Liz Mohn, speaking for the Mohn family, said yesterday: "I am happy about the buyback. It guarantees the independence of the company and its lasting and sustained development on the basis of our proven corporate culture. It secures the greatest possible freedom for the executive board to manage the business."
BMG Music Publishing has a substantial catalogue, which was boosted in the pop domain by its acquisition of Zomba Music Publishing in 2002. Current writers signed to the publishing house include Coldplay, Robbie Williams and his collaborator Stephen Duffy, Dave Stewart and R. Kelly.
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BMG JAPAN REJIG
Elsewhere in the wild and occasional wacky world of BMG, news that BMG Japan is folding its operations into SonyBMG Asia. Now, I'll admit it - my knowledge of SonyBMG's operations in Japan isn't extensive, though I do know Sony's Japanese label exists outwith the SonyBMG joint venture, and was not part of the merger. BMG Japan, I think, was owned by SonyBMG (ie not just BMG), but operated as an autonomous unit. The new development means it will, instead, operate as a division of the bigger SonyBMG Asia - but don't quote me on any of that, I'm too busy raising the funds to buy BMG Music Publishing to concern myself with these matters, in any case.
What I do know is that the restructure follows the retirement of BMG Japan CEO Hidehiko Tashiro, and that the new division will be jointly managed, for the time being at least, by Shigenobu Karube and Daniel DiCicco who will report directly to Kelvin Wadsworth, the Hong Kong-based COO of Asia. That is to say he's the Chief Operating Officer of SonyBMG's Asian operations. He's not the COO of the continent of Asia, because that would be a rather demanding job, even for Kelvin.
All that sorted? Good
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SONYBMG ROOTKIT SETTLEMENT APPROVED
Oh, more SonyBMG news too. A federal judge over there in America has given final approval to SonyBMG's settlement regarding the shambles that no one called Rootkit-gate.
As you'll remember, SonyBMG installed a kind of copy-protection software on 50 odd US albums which cleverly buggered up the computers of anyone who put the CD into their PCs. A number of affected consumers, supported by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, launched a class action lawsuit against the major record company. In response, SonyBMG offered to replace any affected CDs with un-copy protected versions, to provide the facility to remove the copy-protection software from affected customer's PCs and, as compensation, to offer those customers $7.50 and a free album download.
Actually, I'm pretty sure they'd offered that compensation package before the class action lawsuit even reached court, but either way, the US courts, which gave its temporary approval at the start of the year, have now formally ruled that SonyBMG's response was suitable and sufficient.
The ruling was welcomed by both SonyBMG and the aforementioned EFF. The Frontier Foundation's lawyer, Kurt Opsahl, told reporters: "This is a good deal for music fans. The software that caused this debacle is not going to be on any more discs and we encourage that everyone that has bought affected discs to take advantage of this settlement". With that in mind the EFF have published information for US record buyers who think they may have been affected at http://www.eff.org/sony/.
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SUPREME COURT REJECTS JACKSON APPEAL
The Californian Supreme Court have rejected Michael Jackson's appeal against that previously reported decision that restored ex-wife Debbie Rowe's rights as a mother of their two children, rights which she originally signed away back in 2001. Rowe's lawyer, Eric M. George said: "We're very gratified. I would find it inconceivable that Mr Jackson would seek an appeal to the US Supreme Court on that issue." No word on what exactly will happen next.
In related news, Jackson is planning to make his first official public appearance since his trial and acquittal on child abuse charges last year. The singer is to appear at a ceremony in Tokyo to accept MTV Japan's Legend Award, according to spokeswoman Raymone Bain, and following that he is set to tour South East Asia, visiting Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong and is planning to visit orphanages and meet business contacts whilst during his trip. Jackson was quoted saying: "I look forward to my visit to Japan because I have so many fond memories of my visits there."
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WINNING UNSIGNED BAND NAMED FOR SOUNDSTATION FESTIVAL
Birmingham's Kerrang! Radio and the Soundstation Festival have announced the winner of their unsigned band competition, the prize of which is a set at this weekend's festival. The hosts of Kerrang! Radio's unsigned band show, Rob and Loz, worked their way through hundreds of demos from local bands and finally picked out My Alamo - a Birmingham band who, the competition's organisers tell us, "blend ruthless guitar riffs with charismatic melodies that stay with you".
My Alamo will now play alongside Graham Coxon, Orson, Boy Kill Boy and The Crimea at the Soundstation Festival, which takes place at Birmingham's Eastside Park this Sunday. The band tell us they are "over the moon" to be added to the bill, adding: "Its about time Birmingham had their own festival, Soundstation has been long awaited and we are grateful to be playing in our hometown."
More info on the festival is at http://www.sound-station.co.uk - press info from [email protected]
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ALBUM REVIEW: Tunng - Comments of the Inner Chorus (Full Time Hobby)
Artists such as Adem and Four Tet have given the genre of folktronica a higher profile in recent years, marrying the traditional folk musical form with more musically ambitious and interesting sounds. Tunng approach their sound in a similar way, using audio samples, glitches, and electronic effects, which combine well with the organic percussion and acoustic guitar that underpins the album. It's an imaginative approach, and reinforces how fertile the genre is currently. 'Woodcat' is a charming tale of a man whose girlfriend has turned into a hare, and he recalls the bliss they enjoyed before her transformation. Not exactly what you'd call typical boy meets and loses girl lyrics then. Other highlights include 'Stories', which uses frantic strumming of guitars over samples of radio broadcasts, and 'It's because.we've got hair' is a winsome boy-girl duet. The vocals, which are often very understated, make it difficult to decipher precisely what Tunng are singing about, but one feels that the band inhabits a magical and strange world, which is ethereal and unashamedly romantic. This album will appeal to those who enjoy the more traditional contemporary folk artists, such as Devendra Banhart, but also those who have explored folk's more left-field nature. It's hypnotic and soporific, but never dull. It really does lift you to wherever the band seems to be taking you. Just let yourself drift with it. KW
Release date: 22 May
Press contact: Ian Cheek [CP, RP] Full Time IH [NP, CR, RR, NR]
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KLAXONS CANCEL LIVE GIG
Klaxons were forced to cancel a gig in London last night, due to the illness of guitarist Simon Taylor. Bandmates James Righton and Jamie Reynolds instead played a special DJ set. A spokesperson for the group explained: "Unfortunately Klaxons have had to pull out of their gigs tonight because guitarist Simon Taylor is very ill with a virus. The band are heartbroken at having to pull out. Hopefully the gigs over the weekend [in Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham] won't be affected. A decision will be made in the morning."
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MONKEYS PLAY TEENY GIG WITH NEW BASSIST
Arctic Monkeys played a teeny gig for an audience of 120 people at the Old Blue Last pub in East London last night. It was the first outing for temporary addition to the band, Nick O'Malley, who, as previously reported, is replacing bassist Andy Nicholson for the duration of the band's upcoming US tour.
The band played a selection of tracks from their debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and from recent EP 'Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?' Frontman Alex Turner also confirmed that their new single will be 'Leave Before The Lights Come On', telling his audience: "We're going to play our new single for you now. It's straight out of the hit factory. This is our summer hit, watch out for it."
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DJ SHADOW DATES
DJ Shadow has announced a clutch of UK live dates, ahead of the release of his new album and festival appearances at Wireless and Creamfields. 'The Outsider' is out on 25 Aug, tour dates as follows:
8 Jun: Bristol, Blue Mountain
9 Jun: London, Fabric
10 Jun: Liverpool, Chibuku
11 Jun: Nottingham, Stealth
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SNOW PATROL EXTEND TOUR
Snow Patrol have added an extra date to their upcoming winter tour - they will play an additional night at Wembley Arena. The tour now looks like this:
28 Nov: Birmingham, NIA
29 Nov: Manchester, MEN
30 Nov: Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
18 Dec: London, Wembley Arena
19 Dec: London, Wembley Arena
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PAUL WELLER ONE-OFF
Paul Weller is to play a one off gig at Koko on 13 Jun as part of the Jack Daniel's JD Set series of shows, which will comprise an audience of fans, invited guests and competition winners. Weller's only other dates this summer are festival ones - T In The Park, Oxegen and V. The singer releases his live album 'Catch - Flame! on 12 Jun.
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NEW MOTORHEAD ALBUM
Motorhead's new album will be out this summer, which is good news for all you Motorhead fans (did that sound sarcastic? I didn't mean it to, at all). The long player, entitled 'Kiss of Death' will be out on 29 Aug via Sanctuary. The band are to support Foo Fighters, if you recall, at that mega-gig in Hyde Park on 17 Jun.
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SINGLE REVIEW: Mojave 3 - Breaking The Ice (4AD)
The idea that Mojave 3's fifth album represents their "poppiest" material to date had me a little concerned. I've got nothing against upbeat pop, but if that's what I want I'll, ahem, turn to Girls Aloud or Madonna or something. From Mojave 3 I primarily want sadness. I've always loved M3 for their effortless way with heartbreaking melancholy, something that first got me hooked with their former incarnation Slowdive's monumentally bleak beauty. Of course, I was worrying over nothing with the idea that Mojave 3 might somehow let me down. 'Breaking The Ice', the first taster from new album 'Puzzles Like You', is undeniably upbeat, but it's also immeasurably brilliant. It's delicately impassioned, simple and direct, and abetted by a plaintive piano melody at the song's core that tempers the enthusiasm with a touch of regret or uncertainty but adds to the magic in the process. 'Breaking The Ice' seems to just creep up on you from nowhere and embed itself in your brain. It'll leave a huge grin on your face as you sing it throughout the summer; the weather may be unseasonably shit at the moment, but 'BTI' injects some sunshine into this torpid May of ours and reassuringly promises that good times lie ahead. Simply glorious. MS
Release date: 5 Jun
Press contact: Beggars IH [all]
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EMAP APPOINT PEOPLE
EMAP has announced two new appointments which follow the promotion of David Pullan to a new strategic role earlier in the month.
Rob Munro-Hall, currently MD of EMAP Australia, will take over the role left by Pullan coordinating the EMAP East (Zoo, Arena, Arena Homme) and FHM divisions, but will also have a role in running EMAP Metro, which publishes Q, Mojo, Kerrang! and Empire.
Meanwhile EMAP has also appointed Carl Ratcliff, former Head Of Viewer Research And Insight at Five, to "develop new opportunities for EMAP's power brands", which sounds like a made up job to me, but I'm sure it's very important.
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IPC APPOINT PEOPLE TOO
Over at IPC, the Group Advertisement Director of IPC Ignite!, Sam Finlay, has announced the appointment of Neil McSteen as Ad Manager for NME and Uncut. Sam will report to Display Ad Director Andrew Goldsmith in his new role. Goldsmith told CMU: "Neil has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically within the team for the last two-and-a-half years and fully deserves this opportunity to manage our market-leading music and film titles."
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CBS AND STERN MIGHT HAVE REACHED A DEAL
Word has it that US radio conglom CBS Radio has settled its $500 million lawsuit against Howard Stern. As you'll remember, CBS sued Stern following his departure from the company over allegations that, because he got a bonus from new employer Sirius for helping them meet their subscriber targets, he was guilty of stealing their airtime for commercial purposes (because the main way he helped Sirius gain new subscribers was by plugging them on CBS's radio stations). Reports suggest Stern and CBS's legal people have reached a deal which could be signed today.
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FLAUNT GOES GAY
Sky owned music channel Flaunt is to relaunch in July to specifically target the gay market. Flaunt Brand Manager Rick Clapp explains: "The gay community is incredibly diverse and it is hugely important that a gay channel tailors for the whole community. Flaunt will celebrate gay life in a way that pushes the boundaries and properly reflects how diverse our community is. It means that Flaunt will be screening everything from music videos, club listing information, most wanted, art footage, eye candy, gym sessions and a lot, lot more..."
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PLANS FOR PUSSYCAT DOLLS DOLLS SCRAPPED
Plans to make Pussycat Dolls dolls (you get me? - dolls made to look like the Pussycat dolls, yes?) have been scrapped following a public outcry. Toy makers Hasbro have bowed to pressure in their decision from an organised campaign by US parents, led by Lisa Flythe of Brooklyn, who has a 4-year-old daughter.
The New York Daily News quote Flythe as saying: "Every single person I spoke to was shocked that this would even be considered. It could be an appropriate adult entertainment product, but definitely not for kids."
I'm not sure that Pussycat Dolls are the best thing for adults, either.