“To help sell its high-priced digital reading device, Amazon is relying more than ever on its tried-and-true sales strategies of word of mouth and customer reviews, and it appears to be working, although the total market for the device is questionable.”
Tag: 08.26.08
BMI Posts Record Revenues, Payments To Musicians
“The U.S. music performing rights org earned revs of more than $901 million in the fiscal year ended June 30. Of the total revenue, $786 million will be distributed to the songwriters, composers and copyright owners. Distribution represents an 8% increase over the prior fiscal year.”
Seattle Rep Director Steps Down Early
“David Esbjornson, Seattle Repertory Theatre’s artistic director, will step down within the next month — more than six months earlier than originally announced. Longtime casting director Jerry Manning will take over as acting director.”
ArtsJournal Is Hiring
ArtsJournal is expanding, and I need some help. I’m looking for a part time editor. The job involves culling stories from the publications we monitor (basically anything about the arts in English, worldwide) and choosing 10-15 stories per shift to feature on AJ. Details after the jump…
Inevitable: Textbooks Are Going Electronic
“Gradually, as the trickle of students and professors who use e-textbooks starts to grow, advances in hardware and an evolving market — not to mention increasing complaints about textbook costs — are sure to speed along continuing changes in reading (and studying) habits.”
Anticipating Strike, Hollywood Production Shuts Down
“Filming of big-budget movies has ground to a virtual halt across the city and much of the county, a slowdown partly driven by scheduling decisions studios made a year ago to prepare for a possible actors strike. Only one major studio film, DreamWorks SKG’s sci-fi flick Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is shooting on location in Los Angeles, compared with seven studio films that were in production this time last year”
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Starts Its Own Music Label
The London theatre hopes to attract new audiences. “Albums will be produced in-house, using modern studio techniques, under the banner of Globe Editions. They will be distributed in the UK and abroad by classical music company Select Music.”
Canadian Music Business Assesses Impact Of Government Funding Cuts
“The federal funding has helped to generate $40 billion in cultural business: Last year, 21 Canadian companies, with financial assistance from ProMart, the Ontario government and the Canadian consulate, went to a music trade mission in Tokyo. Most of them came away with significant deals. The federal investment was $80,000, and $1.4 million in recording, distribution and touring contracts were signed.”
Exporting Boston As A Brand
A Boston man formed a company to import arts and culture to South Korea. Boston Ballet is the first to go, and it’s a good deal for the dance company. Tim Montgomery’s company pays all the bills and fees, and the company performs. Next up: the Boston Pops?
Why Is Classical Music Such A Crappy Experience On Rhapsody Or iTunes?
“Music sites that tell you Beethoven is the performer, that “Allegro” is the name of the piece, that the piano soloist might be the Berlin Philharmonic. I find these experiences endlessly frustrating. I don’t understand how something so simple has to be so hard to figure out. (I take that back. I do understand. Believe me, I really, really do. But it still makes me crazy.)”