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HMV, SNAPS UP 14 ZAVVI STORES, MOVES INTO LIVE MUSIC WITH THE HELP OF MAMA First confirmation that the entertainment retailer is buying 14 stores off its collapsing rival Zavvi in a move that will bring the HMV brand to various towns or shopping centres where it hasn't previously had a presence. Five of the fourteen are in Ireland - the Irish version of Zavvi having also gone into administration a week after its UK counterpart. That part of the deal will see HMV arrive in Dundalk, Dundrum, Limerick, Newbridge and at Dublin's Liffey Valley shopping centre. In the UK, HMV will takeover Zavvi stores in Bournemouth, Crewe, Glasgow (x2), Peterborough, Plymouth, Salisbury, Southend and Stockton-on-Tees. The deal should save about 269 Zavvi jobs. Second, and perhaps more importantly, HMV announced it was forming a new joint venture with the ever-growing music enterprise the MAMA Group which will see the retailer move into the live music sector. The two firms will become joint owners of a new company that will take the Mean Fiddler name (a name MAMA gained the rights to when it bought most of the Mean Fiddler venue network). That new company will in turn take ownership of 11 venues in the existing MAMA Group empire, namely The Hammersmith Apollo, The Forum, The Garage, Heaven, G-A-Y Bar, G-A-Y Late, The Borderline and the Jazz Café in London, plus The Edinburgh Picture House, The Birmingham Institute, and Aberdeen's Moshulu. Some of those venues will incorporate the HMV brand into their names. The deal will see HMV pay MAMA Group around about £18.25 million (the exact figure will depend on the new company's financial performance in 2009). The two business partners will have a 50% stake each in the new company, which will be primarily run day to day by MAMA, though both parties will be involved into looking at possible new venue acquisitions to expand the empire. Confirming the deal, MAMA chiefs Adam Driscoll and Dean James told CMU: "We are delighted to be entering this joint venture arrangement with HMV, the UK's leading music retailer. This is a landmark deal that alters the face of the live venue business in the UK. The engagement of artist and fan is the key driver of the music industry. That engagement is at its most evident at live events. Our venues are already key destinations for artists, promoters and fans. This new partnership between MAMA and HMV enables that live experience to be augmented by enabling us to offer the artist and fans a range of other opportunities to interact". HMV CEO Simon Fox added: "Music is very much part of our DNA, and by extending the HMV brand into the growing live music and entertainment market, our customers will be able as never before to access and experience music in all of its forms via HMV. Our joint venture with MAMA Group to own and operate key venues in the UK uniquely positions HMV to offer our customers full access to live music. We have also today announced the development of HMV tickets which will enable us to offer our customers tickets to events at our Mean Fiddler Group venues as well as a range of other events. In addition, HMV will now be able offer to our existing and new live customers exciting bundled product offers, comprised of music CDs, DVDs, MP3 downloads, games, and related merchandise". For those of you wondering how HMV can afford to buy 14 Zavvi stores and half of a major new live music company, well, they are planning an equity placement, which basically means they will sell some new shares in the company. Fox says they could have afforded to fund the two acquisitions using their overdraft facility but have decided creating and selling some new shares (which will equate to up to 5% of the business) is a better route. The CEO adds that the move has the support of the retailer's bigger existing shareholders. Back to Zavvi world, and with the HMV deal done the former Virgin Megastore chain now has 65 stores left in the UK and 6 in Ireland. Administrators Ernst & Young are apparently still confident they can sell some of that remaining network off as a going concern. -------------------------------------------------- DUPRI HITS OUT AT LA REID OVER HIS ISLAND DEPARTURE Dupri has told US magazine Essence that his position at Universal became untenable after Reid essentially froze him out. Reid, you see, was jealous of Dupri. Or, at least, that's what Dupri reckons. Claiming he hadn't spoken to Reid in three months, despite technically speaking reporting to him, Dupri said: "I saw a side of him [Reid] that I had never seen before and that to me was a jealous side. I don't know if I should be around people who are jealous of me". Responding to rumours that Universal had become less keen on their mega-bucks relationship with Dupri because of disappointing sales of the albums he worked on, not least the most recent release by his good lady Janet Jackson, the producer added: "Island is going to say what makes them look good. They are not going to tell the truth". Expanding on his disdain for the Universal Music top guard, he explained Reid was one of the "old guys" trying to run a changing record industry by the old rules. Dupri: "The music business thrives on young music, young ideas, newness and freshness. We have a bunch of old guys running all the record companies and they get in these meetings and argue with these young people like myself about what we know and try to make us believe that what we're doing won't work. I don't see them beating the streets to find any of the artists... I never see these people out anywhere because they are still living off the old times". It's still not clear what Dupri's departure means for the distribution deal between Universal and his label So So Def, nor what it means for the TAG Records venture - a JV between the major and the makers of the US-based TAG body spray brand, which Dupri headed up. -------------------------------------------------- LONDON ASTORIA CLOSES TODAY news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7828222.stm -------------------------------------------------- OASIS BUSKER PROMOTION PROFILED IN MYSPACE DOCUMENTARY CALL FOR C-MURDER TO BE JAILED BEFORE TRIAL As previously reported, C-Murder, who these days goes by his real name of C Miller, was found guilty and jailed in 2003 for the shooting of 16 year old fan Steve Thomas outside the Platinum Club in Harvey, Louisiana, after several witnesses came forward to identify Miller as the shooter. The rapper appealed the verdict, and at a subsequent hearing in 2006 a woman testified that she had witnessed another man, known as Calliope Slim, brandishing a firearm moments before the shooting, information which she claims she told investigating officers before the original case came to court, but which was never mentioned during the trial. It was also revealed that detectives had cleared parking tickets and a felony theft arrest warrant in exchange for another testimony against Miller. In light of this new evidence a retrial was ordered and Miller was released from jail and placed under house arrest, while awaiting a new court date. Unfortunately for him, that trial has been some time coming, but a date is now set for 20 Apr. At a hearing this week, Judge Hans Lijeberg agreed with prosecutors that Miller should be jailed in the run up to the trial for violating his house arrest but then changed his mind 10 minutes later, instead warning the rapper to "conduct himself accordingly" while he waits to go to court. There's no word on whether or not Miller warned the judge not to be so indecisive. Maybe that wouldn't be such a clever move. back to top-------------------------------------------------- RIAA MUSIC FAN LITIGATION TO BE WEBCAST Explaining her decision, Gertner told reporters: "In many ways, this case is about the so-called 'Internet Generation' - the generation that has grown up with computer technology in general, and the internet in particular, as commonplace. It is reportedly a generation that does not read newspapers or watch the evening news, but gets its information largely, if not almost exclusively, over the internet". The decision could provide some PR stresses for the RIAA, even though the US trade body has in the main decided to stop suing music fans directly over the illegal file sharing of music, instead following their UK counterparts the BPI in lobbying the internet service providers to take a more proactive role in policing online piracy. Although US copyright law has, in the main, favoured the record companies when it comes to the unlicensed distribution of their content on the net, when cases have gone to court various legal and especially evidential technicalities have caused some embarrassment for the plaintiffs. Those who oppose the record companies and their previously litigious approach to music on the internet will be hoping such embarrassing technicalities arise aplenty if this particular case is available for all to enjoy online. Of course it will most probably turn out to be either an open and shut case, or an incredibly tedious discussion of US copyright law. GARY KURFURST DIES From his youth, Kurfirst was involved with the music scene in New York, opening the Village Theater in 1967, later known as the Fillmore East, and facilitating Big Apple debuts of the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Janis Joplin and The Who, all of whom appeared at the New York Rock Festival he staged in 1968 when he was just 20 years old. It was at this point that he went into management, and over the course of the next four decades was involved in record sales of more than 100 million units worldwide. During his career he also produced a number of music related films. Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, who signed both The Ramones and Talking Heads of course, has paid tribute to Kurfirst, saying: "Gary was brilliant in his ability to spot changes in music ahead of most people and had the courage to act on his instincts. Gary was tough, but not cut-throat in business. He could fight hard, but fair and never held grudges. Gary had great style". Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads said in a statement: "Gary Kurfirst has been our manager since 1977. He never failed to take care of business for us. He protected us. He allowed Talking Heads to be Talking Heads while he took the blows that the music business dealt us. Gary truly was the fifth Talking Head. We were very close friends and we will miss him terribly". CHOICE MUSIC SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED The short list for the 2008 prize is as follows: Fight Like Apes - Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion (Model Citizen) -------------------------------------------------- NEW HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS CONFIRMED For Jeff Beck it's actually his second induction, as he was previously admitted in his capacity as one of The Yardbirds, but the new nomination is in recognition of his solo work. Run-DMC is only the second hip hop act to gain access to the hall, Grandmaster Flash having paved the way back in 2006, of course. The duo will perform at the induction for the first time since the murder of their third member Jam Master Jay, back in 2002. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says he surprised to be nominated, not least because he thinks it's about time The Stooges, who were shortlisted again this year but ultimately not chosen for induction, were in there. "It surprised me," he's quoted as saying. "I thought The Stooges would be a shoe in. Hopefully another year". BORRELL SONG UNLIKELY TO MAKE FLORENCE ALBUM A source told The NME: "They worked together 18 months ago and Florence really enjoyed the experience. However, nothing really came of it. So it's very unlikely that the track will make the album". Welch herself told Xfm: "I did that [song] with Johnny quite a while ago. If you know people who are more experienced than you in the music industry and they're interested in what you're doing it's really fun. It doesn't matter whether you're an established artist or someone who is just starting, musicians should play together. It's about having fun and making music together". THE PRODIGY BRING FORWARD ALBUM RELEASE While we're here, why don't we take a look at the full tracklist: Invaders Must Die -------------------------------------------------- FREE LADY GAGA DOWNLOAD USHER, CYRUS FAMILY TO APPEAR AT MILITARY GIG As previously reported, there are loads of concerts happening in the run up to the inauguration, with Jay-Z, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Sting and Elvis Costello all participating. -------------------------------------------------- MORRISSEY TO RECORD GIG FOR RADIO 2 CITY SHOWCASE ANNOUNCED Event organiser Nanette Rigg says this: "We are more excited by this year's event than ever before. We believe that often in hard times the best music is written and this year we are more optimistic than ever about sourcing some amazing new talent. We have also expanded our creative team further and recruited seasoned music industry entrepreneur Seven Webster from 7pm management to assist in our quest for finding the best new talent. Having launched over 40 top 40 artists careers from Sasha and Digweed to Dido, McQueen and Mason and managing across the spectrum of music we are pleased to have added someone to our team that is genuinely excited by new talent as we are." Artists that want to showcase their work need to send a CD demo with a MySpace or weblink and brief biog and photo to City Showcase, PO Box 2212, RH20 2XJ, clearly marking the envelope as a City Showcase application. -------------------------------------------------- SXSW LINE UP TAKES SHAPE www.sxsw.com/music/shows/bands/ ALBUM REVIEW: Various Artists - Need2Soul V.02: Benji B & Glenn Underground (Need2Soul) DUFFY SIGNS UP TO COKE AD Duffy: "I love the attitude of this new Diet Coke ad. I drink so much of the stuff, they were either going to give me shares in the company or put me in the advert". Coke Marketing Director Cathryn Sleight: "We have a strong heritage in creating entertaining and memorable advertising for 'diet Coke' that is loved by our female fans. Our campaigns are well known for tapping into a powerful social and cultural zeitgeist and Duffy is a great embodiment of today's modern female attitudes. She has a strong appeal with our core female audience and we're confident that this campaign will become just as iconic as previous 'diet Coke' advertising campaigns". BOOSEY & HAWKES TAKE OVER SYNC FOR EMI'S BLUE NOTE EMI Exec VP Of Brand Partnerships Cynthia Sexton says this: "We knew Blue Note's 70th anniversary this year represented a unique opportunity for synchronization of the label's legendary recordings. Boosey & Hawkes has a great track record and unique specialization in the jazz genre for synch, and we are pleased to have them give the Blue Note repertoire a full-court press approach". B&H Head Of Consultancy, Natasha Baldwin, added: "This is an amazing coup for Boosey & Hawkes. Blue Note Records is a legendary label that has been instrumental in charting the course of jazz history and, alongside our existing classical roster, and the fact that we are continuing to strengthen our contemporary music offering, we are now able to provide an extremely diverse and compelling service to our many synch clients". -------------------------------------------------- PINNACLE ADMINISTRATORS CORRESPOND OVER RETURNING STOCK -------------------------------------------------- KOCH LABEL DOWNSIZES APPLE BOSS TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR HORMONE TREATMENT It remains to be seen what impact the announcement is going to have on Apple's share price today. As previously reported, investors who see Jobs as key to Apple's success have become increasingly nervous as rumours of the CEO's health have rumbled on for months. Jobs, a survivor of pancreatic cancer, admitted last week that he was receiving treatment for a hormonal imbalance that had caused weight loss. -------------------------------------------------- LUKEWARM RESPONSE TO NEW YAHOO! BOSS As previously reported, Yahoo! has been looking for a new top man since Jerry Yang, a co-founder of the web firm, agreed to stand down last year after a difficult year for the company. Yang had annoyed Yahoo! shareholders by failing to pursue Microsoft's takeover offer - an offer Yang was known to dislike, but which was popular with some key shareholders. Shares in Yahoo! fell 3.6% after Bartz's appointment was announced. -------------------------------------------------- SPIRALFROG ON ITS LAST LEGS? RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE TO BUY EVENING STANDARD It is not clear what affect the acquisition would have on the capital's only news-stand evening title. Lebedev has said he has no interest in controlling the editorial position of the paper - and even if he did it is unlikely that would mean any bias towards the increasingly controversial Russian government, as Lebedev is widely regarded as a "semi-opposition" figure in his home country. He also has a stake in Novaya Gazeta, one of the few Russian newspapers that is critical of the country's political leaders. However, it is thought the new ownership could see the Standard move away from the political influence of sister title the Daily Mail, and become less right wing. Though it is likely to continue to be supportive of Tory London mayor Boris Johnson. Commercially speaking the deal could give the Standard just the boost it needs in an increasingly competitive market. The Standard has been hurt by the growth of the internet - which gives office workers an alternative source of daytime news - and the free newspapers available to evening commuters. Associated, of course, have their own free evening title in the capital, London Lite, launched in response to rivals News International entering the freesheet market with The London Paper in 2006. The relationship between sister titles London Lite and The Standard has always been interesting because it means Associated is competing with itself in what is already a difficult market in terms of ad revenues. Assuming Lebedev is sitting on as much cash as is thought, and he is willing to throw a bucket of it at the Standard (and it looks like he is, he's quoted as saying "as far as I'm concerned this has nothing to do with making money, there are lots of other ways... this is a good way to waste money"), the new owners could try and drive the London Paper out of business. It's not clear if Lebedev gets London Lite as part of his Standard deal - though an obvious tactic to take on the London Paper is to merger Lite and Standard and make the more weighty evening paper a freesheet. Whatever, if this deal goes ahead there's some interesting times ahead in the London newspaper market. -------------------------------------------------- MAX AND OB GET ROCK FM SHOW Dean O'Brien, Rock FM's acting programme director, says this: "We're really excited about Matt and Darren's arrival - they will be a fantastic addition to our line up. They've sounded great on Radio City and we are really confident that the Lancashire listeners will love them". THIS WEEK'S SUB.TV PLAYLIST A-List DOHERTY IS SCUMBAG MAGNET, SAYS COXON Writing on Blur's message forum, he said: "I actually like Pete as a person a lot. He is very funny, warm and charming. He has rough press and not surprisingly so. He is also very impressionable, quite vulnerable, rather too trusting and needlessly gets himself into some difficulties - basically and unfortunately for him, he is a scumbag magnet". He admitted having his own frustrations about Doherty, however, saying: "I really do think it's easy to think Pete is a waster. I also have been more than a little angry with him at times for pissing his talent up the wall on too many occasions. But I think when he sees through the murk at what opportunities are there for him he can really come up with the goods... Well, I think he did with these songs anyway". -------------------------------------------------- KANYE WEST ON GAY STYLE TIPS But just in case you thought only gays can be stylish, West set the record straight, continuing: "Because you can dress good don't make you gay". -------------------------------------------------- THE OSBOURNES RETURN Moving from MTV to Fox TV, Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly will return with 'The Osbournes Reloaded' later this year, and have reportedly already filmed six episodes, with guests including Pamela Anderson and a pair of impersonators. Fox TV's Mike Darnell said: "We are letting them go as far as they can. They are raunchy and funny and also a warm, real family. It is family viewing. We might have a few old age pensioners being kissed, and stripping grandmas, but it is all good clean fun. There is nothing mean spirited about it". -------------------------------------------------- BLUE'S DUNCAN AIMS TO BE AS COOL AS KEANE The former Blue singer told The Sun that he'd much rather have been in a "cool" band like Keane than in a boyband. He said: "I've experienced life in a boyband, so I'd love to know what it's like to be in a cool band like Keane. That would be wicked. I love Keane and their music". |
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SUBSCRIPTIONS>> CMU Daily is a free daily e-bulletin for people working in the music industry and music media, delivered direct to your PC each morning. If you want to stop receiving this e-bulletin click the 'unsubscribe' button below and follow the instructions. If any of your colleagues want to receive the CMU Daily tell them to email their name, company, job title and email to [email protected]. If you would like to recieve the CMU Daily as a text email, send a blank email from the email address you are registered at to [email protected]. MEDIA PEOPLE>> If you are looking for an independent quote on anything to do with the music business, or you need someone to come on your TV or radio show and talk music business, then we can help. There's nothing we don't know about. Email requests to [email protected] or call 020 7099 9050. CMU is published by and (c) UnLimited Media - www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk Send news stories to [email protected]. If we don't respond directly, we do apologise, only we get sent hundreds of emails a day and don't have time to respond to every one of them. However we do check every email sent to the musicnews email address, and do pull out stories that we feel are relevant to our readers. Send CDs for review to CMU, UnLimited Media, 221-222 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PJ. |
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