Jan
27
EMI Merchandise and Packaged Goods Vet Peter Palmer Promoted
Filed Under Distributor News, Music Retail News | Leave a Comment
EMI’s music services division is expanding, and merchandiser Peter Palmer has found himself a new gig. He’ll be in charge of getting the most bang for EMI’s buck in the merchandising activities of the British company’s roster, along with the merchandising activities of third party labels and artists which EMI distributes.
Quoth music services Ronn Werre:
“This team has already shown that focus and solid execution can provide unique value to EMI’s roster and associated artists in key functions like licensing, synch and distribution and we are now expanding that offering to include merchandising and sponsorship.”
Jan
21
Northeast Ohio is home to our next group of featured designers, Three Bears Design. The creative and well educated group, with degrees from art and design institutions across the Northwest, enjoy creating all sorts of projects, including illustrated t-shirts, catalogs, show posters, and of course: compact discs.
Today, we’re proudly displaying their “Sospiri” project, designed by Charlie Wagers, Adam Baker, and Keith Konya. The trio drew inspiration from the album’s second to last track, “The Conductor’s Regress.”
Adam’s insanely detailed, freehand illustration style meshed with the label’s vision for the product. The conductor himself is presented front and center on the cover. He is directing a beautifully detailed, illustrated orchestra seen upon opening the package. A rough draft of the orchestra is included in the gallery with this post.
The record label budgeted for a 3-color silk screened chipboard package, so the package was designed around those needs.
Included in the package is a piece of actual sheet music, the annotation of “The Conductor’s Regress.” This bonus goodie compliments well with the look and feel of the project, giving customers an extra physical medium with which they interact with the story.
Another creative detail Three Bears Design included is the barcode on the back. Here’s Charlie on his favorite part of the design:
We wanted to somehow incorporate the barcode into the package, as this is always the most out-of-place piece of any package design. So we made it look like it was bleeding off the edge, to fit with the design.
I’d like to thank Charlie Wagers and the rest of the Three Bears Design team for taking the time to share their story with us. Be sure to check out their other work, it’s well worth a look-see.
Jan
21
Billboard.biz has a fantastically extended interview with Don Iemmer, head of Sony Music through June of 2006. The interview covers all sorts of topics spanning Iemmer’s entire career in the music industry. I’m talking everything, from his start in the Capital Records mail room in in 1969 to his success with Mariah Carey, to his thoughts on Napster and what the characters ‘MP3′ mean to him. Check it out.
Extended Interview with Don Iemmer
Jan
21
Best Buy Names New CEO
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Brian J. Dunn named CEO
The man who began working for the Minnesota Based electronics retailer in 1985 as a store clerk has been named CEO.
Brian J Dunn will serve as the successor to CEO Brad Anderson, who leaves the store to pursue retirement.
The company has a head start, since Circuit City’s decision to liquidate their assets. Dunn said the following regarding the current financial outlook, care of the Associated Press:
“The current retail landscape around the world creates an unprecedented opportunity for us to earn the business of new customers and grow share,” Dunn said during a conference call with investors. “We know we are currently up against extremely difficult economic times, but we also understand that these times through their very nature will create new opportunities for those who manage their resources well and yet stay close to the customer.”
Good luck with that guys.
Best Buy taps president and COO Dunn as new CEO
Jan
21
Talor Swift Going Strong
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“Fearless” from Taylor Swift begins the 7th week on top of the Billboard 200 chart today, and is the first to do so since Usher’s “Confessions” way back in 2001. Selling 63,000 units in the US this week, it sure is good to see stars at the top of the industry.
Jan
21
CD Baby sees 28% growth
Filed Under Compact Disc News | Leave a Comment
Yeah baby, CD Baby sees expansion in 2008. 200,000 artists saw success with CD Baby last year, according to Tony Van Veen, CEO of Audio & Video Labs, the parent company of CD baby. Success is possible if you have the heart, it appears.
According to reports, CD Baby artists sold about 1.01 million CDs in 2008, compared to .99 million in 2007. In addition, the company added 39,100 new titles added in 2008, up 7% from the previous year.
Many more stats and fun factoids available at the CD Baby forums.
Jan
20
Popkomm
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Title: Popkomm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Link out: Click here
Description: Popkomm is a worldwide music and entertainment business meeting place.
Start Date: 2009-09-16
End Date: 2009-09-18
Jan
20
Barack Obama, in his wisdom, working with the Democratic National Committee, chose Unified Manufacturing to produce the Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement record.
That choice means the album is in the hands of an experienced, energetic team of industry veterans working to fulfill the vision of the new President. And fulfill it they did, as the final product’s creativity, patriotism, and significance is only rivaled by the man himself.
Working with Hidden Beach Records and the Barack Obama campaign, Unified Manufacturing spent countless hours ensuring the record is created of the highest quality and attention to detail. The record’s greatest feature is the beautiful red, white, and blue colored vinyl disc, which is left slightly translucent. Innovative and unique, it is truly one of a kind.
The disc is packed with legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Kanye West, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, and more. Dale Zoerker of Digital Lava supplied his talent for the project’s beautiful artwork.
