Warner Music Group Announces Leadership Consolidation
Warner Music Group Announces Leadership Consolidation
With an eye on innovation in a rapidly changing industry, Warner Music Group has announced a consolidation of all its global business development functions under a single leadership team. Under the new structure, WMG COO Rob Wiesenthal will oversee the company's digital biz-dev efforts while continuing to report to CEO Steve Cooper. The company also announced a promotion for Jonathan Dworkin, SVP of digital strategy and business development, to EVP of digital strategy and business development. Dworkin will report to Wiesenthal and continue working on building global-minded partnerships that expand WMG's success with artist development. In a statement announcing the shuffle, Cooper said the new unified structure will give artists a portfolio of "unmatched" innovative services and opportunities. "This move recognizes that digital technology is a driving force across all aspects of our business, and that the pace of change -- both globally and locally -- requires nimble experimentation," he said.Is U2 going freemium with Apple a sign of what's to come?
Is U2 going freemium with Apple a sign of what's to come?
U2 is giving away its latest album through Apple iTunes as the music industry grapples with declining sales. U2 sent shockwaves across the music industry on Tuesday when it said it would give away its latest album on Apple’s iTunes. Free would have been inconceivable before the digital age. Now, it may be the future. Recording artists and music companies are grappling with a rapidly shifting business. Album sales are declining because people prefer to buy individual songs. Music piracy is also taking a huge toll. U2’s strategy may be a sign that the recording industry is ready to take radical steps to survive. What the Irish supergroup is doing is using its music as a loss leader. Instead of selling albums, it hopes to sell concert tickets. By releasing its album — “Songs of Innocence” — on iTunes, U2 can reach a potential audience of 500 million listeners. The group’s previous album, “No Line of the Horizon” suffered from disappointing sales, at least by U2’s standards. A free album is one way to stay relevant and potentially gain younger fans. It also may help fill seats during any future concert tour.
