Maybe things aren't as bad as we thought at EMI. Or maybe they've decided that they can't become profitable just sellng music. Either way, and despite an already crushing debt load, EMI has acquired Europe's largest independent music merchandise distributor Loudclothing.com from Completely Independent Distribution (CID). It will operate as part of EMI's growing global merchandise unit.

EMI established its merchandise division in April 2009 with deals with Live Nation and AEG, acting as one of their retail distributors. Live Nation Merchandise and AEG Live's BandMerch division continue to sell merchandise at live venues.  EMI sells to physical and online retailers including two thousand in North America, over a thousand in both Europe and Latin America as well as outlets in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The combined company represents more than 200 artists. Included are Bon Jovi, David Bowie, The Clash, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Linkin Park, Kylie Minogue, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Queen and Slayer as well as some film and TV brands/

Loudclothing.com and CID founder Nic Wastell will lead EMI's European merchandise operations as vice president merchandising - Europe. Eighteen employees from Loudclothing.com are joining EMI, bringing the total number of staff in EMI's merchandise division to 23. Wastell will also continue to run Leicester-based CID which will now handle the distribution of EMI's merchandise across Europe.

EMI's merchandising division is part of EMI Music Services and taps into its global retail sales network and teams in 32 countries. EMI Music Services is a one-stop unit that provides EMI's roster of artists - as well as independent labels and artists - with a menu of services.

A new Bridge Ratings survey asked, "With all the devices at their disposal, which is their primary mobile medium, the one they use the most each day?"

click on image to enlarge

Their AM or FM radio stations are still the primary daily device of 30% of the sample. That's a 9% drop in primary preference. Internet radio and cell phones with the increasing penetration of smartphones. Study sample information:

Sample size: 3000 persons 13+, Error +/- 1.8%

Study was conducted on a national geographic footprint with the following regional sample proportions:
Northeast: 19%, Midwest: 23%, South: 35%, West: 23%

More @ http://www.bridgeratings.com/

It's not revolutionary, but it is refreshing. Rather than use another insincere pop star sharing a phony personal moment, Rhapsody's new TV ads feature four music fans engaging with the service and discussing how music motivates them on a daily basis. Rhapsody announced a casting call in mid-October on its Facebook fan page and the commercials have just started running on various Viacom properties, including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Spike.

Mobile music content provider Myxer has expanded its artist services offering with the launch of MobileStage,  a mobile marketing suite that delivers music applications for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android, as well as:    

• Free mobile websites
• Mobile fanlist management and messaging
• Advanced data analytics
• Promotional initiatives based on location and touring

As part of the app distribution service, Myxer will promote artist apps to its nearly 30 million customers. First up are BlackBerry apps for Pearl Jam and U2.  At launch strategic partners include ReverbNation, Kedar Entertainment, Amie Street, SonicBids, OurStage, INgrooves,The Orchard, Audiolife and SellaBand. 

“We listened very carefully to a large cross-section of artists, and one universal theme we heard was the artists’ desire for more engaging and personalized ways to connect with their fans,” said Myk Willis, CEO of Myxer. “We are thrilled to be working with industry leaders and expanding the breadth of our comprehensive suite of mobile products and services to help artists and labels across the spectrum.”

(Updated)

It's A Smart Addition For TuneCore,

But Is It Worth It For Artists?

TuneCore artists can now share in the ad revenue generated when their songs are streamed on MySpace Music, thanks to a new deal between the companies. This marks the first time that TuneCore has offered its flat fee distribution customers access to an ad supported streaming service, and comes on the heels of indie licensing organization Merln's hard fought battle with MySpace on behalf of the indie community 

TuneCore did not respond to an inquiry asking how revenue would calculated for its artists by MySpace or what its fee structure for the service would be.  But for all but the most high trafficked artists, it may be a long time before their share of MySpace ad revenue exceeds any flat fee payment to TuneCore.

UPDATE: After the jump below, Tunecore points us to their fee structure which is the same for all outlets including MySpace Music. Still no word on what MySpace is paying in return.

More: Merlin Finally Makes Indie Deal With MySpace

How Much does TuneCore cost me?

If you are delivering just one track (a single) the only fee is an annual payment of $9.99. If you are delivering more than one song (an album) the annual fee is $19.98. The only additional charges (for an album) are one time fees of .99 cents per store you choose and per track that you upload to TuneCore. For example if you deliver a two track album to only iTunes US this would total to, $21.96 with an annual renewal fee of 19.98 after the initial payment.

http://www.tunecore.com/faq

A new analysis of music industry revenue in Sweden confirms an earlier UK study that showed that artist income, mostly from live concerts, is growing even as revenue from recorded music has declined.

Help Name Top Digital Music Executives In 2010

Digital Media Wire has named its 25 Digital Executives To Watch and music barely made the list.

Read on and let us know who you would nominate for a Hypebot's Digital Music Executive To Watch in 2010. This list won't be just about the most powerful execs, but rather those most likely to shake things up in 2010.

• David Anderman, General Counsel, Lucasfilms
• Rob Barnett, Founder & CEO, My Damn Channel
• Rio Caraeff, President & CEO, VEVO
• Kevin Conroy, President, Univision Interactive Media
• Allen DeBevoise, Chairman & CEO, Machinima Inc.
• Denzyl Feigelson, CEO, AWAL (Artists Without a Label)
• Ashley Fenwick-Naditch, Producer, Sesame Workshop
• Kristin Frank, General Manager, MTV.com and VH1.com
• Ed Leonard, CTO, DreamWorks
• Zahavah Levine, Chief Counsel, YouTube

• Mitch Lowe, CEO, redbox
• Robb McDaniels, Founder, President & CEO, INGrooves
• Tero Ojanpera, EVP, Services, Nokia
• Jean-Briac Perrette, President, Digital & Affiliate Distribution and Content Distribution Strategy, NBC Universal
• Mark Pincus, CEO & Founder, Zynga
• John Pleasants, CEO, Playdom
• Nanea Reeves, SVP, EA Online Group
• Rohit Bhargava, SVP, Digital Strategy & Marketing, Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence / Author, Personality Not Included
• Avner Ronen, CEO, Boxee
• Richard Rosenblatt, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Demand Media
• Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer, Facebook
• David Straus, Co-Founder & CEO, Withoutabox (IMDB, an Amazon company)
• Robert Tercek, President, Digital Media, OWN
• Phil Wiser, Co-Founder, Chairman & President, Sezmi
• Philip Yun, CEO, NHN USA