EMI could make itself useful, apparently

IAN ROGERS WAS general manager of yahoo!music, now runs topspin. he's written an open letter to the head of EMI suggesting ways in which the label could

a) not be eaten alive by the internet and its children and
b) make itself useful.*

techdirt's summary is neat, and goes like this:

Put together various mini-labels under which similar types of bands are associated. And, include on those labels a few of the "big name" EMI artists. Thus, for all the fans who are fans of some huge artist, by creating these affinity labels, it will help drive the fans of the big name artist to those other bands as well, knowing that they all have a similar sound or musical philosophy.

ian's argument is that the only real advantage a major can provide a new artist is in marketing power, and that that marketing should be about building an audience's trust through maintaining a strong identity.


*'make yourself useful' is, IMO, the simplest advice for anything trying not to get eaten alive by the internet.

link to ian's letter
link to techdirt article