R L nternatìonaT H E L A T E S T N E W S A N D V I E W S F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O D Nov. Is Europe's Platinum Month After A Slow 10 Months, 22 Titles Sell 1 Million Or More BY PAUL SEXTON ifpi fact that across the continent of LONDON -November was the PLATINUM EUROPE Europe people have been listening month in which platinum was dis- to my music for the last 18 years covered all over Europe. without properly or perfectly un- The first 10 months of 2000 had 1,000,000 derstanding the words. In RECOGNITION Or SALES IN CNcI_ss Or ONE MLL-i, been sparing in their yield of mil- "The barriers still exist," he Celebrating In Style. To mark the global launch of his new album, "Stilelibero" lion- selling albums across the con- acknowledges, "but I believe it will (Freestyle), BMG's Italian star Eros Ramazzotti recently played a one -hour show- tinent, with a typical quota of half a ers, Trevor Horn and Rick Nowels, get smoother and smoother, case to an invited audience in Milan Auditorium. The album shipped more than 1 dozen or so titles in each period and plans call for BMG to develop because music is one of the most million units on its first day of release, earning Ramazzotti a Platinum Europe receiving International Federation an English -language version of the important languages in the world." Award (see story, this page). Pictured presenting Ramazzotti with the trophy, of the Phonographic Industry album next year, with Ramazzotti's An exceptional month for BMG from left, are Adrian Berwick, managing director of BMG Ricordi Italy; Sara Sil- (IFPI) Platinum Europe Award enthusiastic participation. "I do also included the latest IFPI certi- ver, VP of European marketing; Franco Reali, CEO of BMG Ricordi Italy; Ramaz- certification for sales of 1 million understand the difficulty of enter- fication for Santana's phenomenal zotti; Richard Griffiths, chairman of BMG U.K. /Ireland and president of Central copies or more. The dam truly burst ing these markets because of the "Supernatural" (Arista), which has Europe; artist manager Ugo Cerrutti; and Thomas Stein, president of BMG Ger- in November, when the total hitting language," says Ramazzotti. "But I now passed European sales of 5 mil - many /Switzerland /Austria and Eastern Europe. the platinum standard was 22, the am already so overwhelmed by the (Continued on page 75) highest number this year. Fifteen titles graduated to their 1 millionth Euro- pean sale, one hit Linty double -platinum, BMG, MERCUHIX For Digital Distribution Kishi Named four moved to 3 Digital Rights- Management Service Makes Asian Deal With Major million, and two Sony Japan's reached the lofty BY STEVE McCLURE Pacific senior VP Michael Smellie. can distribute downloads through height of 5 million TOKYO -Singapore -based digi- "SingTel owns very substantial other digital download sites if it CEO apiece. While the tal- rights- management service infrastructure and technology in chooses New DAVIS list included many provider MERCURiX announced facilitating digital distribution, Tan adds that BMG is ready to BY STEVE McCLURE of what might be Nov. 28 that it will digitally dis- and we are happy that we are offer downloadable tracks for dis- TOKYO -Sony Music Enter- termed the usual Anglo- American tribute BMG product in the Asia - working together as preferred tribution in Asia through major tainment (Japan) (SMEJ) -the suspects, there were some other Pacific region, including Japan. It partners in this relationship. The chains such as Tower Records and No. 1 record company in the strong European flavors in the pot is believed to be the first such alliance allows BMG to leverage HMV, but is waiting for those world's No. 2 music market -has via certifications from France, Italy, deal involving a major record on SingTel's relationships with retailers to work out region -wide opted for a steady hand on the and Ireland. company in Asia. regional ISPs and other potential online strategies. tiller by choosing Eiji Kishi as its Indeed, November's star among Specifically, BMG has signed a distributors who could play a crit- Says MERCURiX COO Philip new CEO. Kishi replaces Shigeo platinum winners came from Italy. letter of intent to appoint MER- ical role in developing a market in Wu, "The core business of Zeus is Maruyama, who remains on the BMG's Eros Ramazzotti pulled off CURiX affiliate Zeus Digital secure music distribution." to proliferate the distribution and company's board of directors. a remarkable double whammy that Assets Services to represent the Rosemary Tan, BMG Entertain- consumption of secure digital music In choosing someone like included the 5 millionth certified label as an agent for digital whole- ment Asia-Pacific regional manager material. It will facilitate partner Kishi, who is seen as much more sale of his 1997 compilation, "Eros," sale distribution. of Web development and online distributors who can add significant of a corporate "suit" than the and an almost instant first million BMG has also named Singapore commerce, says the deal with Zeus value to promoting the business of charismatic, entrepreneurial for his new Ariola studio set, "Stile - Telecommunications (SingTel) sub- will enable small and midsized secure music distribution." Maruyama-one of the few big - libero" (Freestyle), released as sidiary MERCURiX, a licensee of brick-and -mortar retailers in the The deal between BMG and name Japanese executives to recently as InterTrust Technologies Corp., as a region -as well as E- tailers -to MERCURiX follows their cooper- make a habit of wearing sneak - Oct. 23. BMG "preferred clearinghouse," meaning offer downloads of BMG tracks. She ation in the Project Zeus digital ers at work -Sony has clearly estimates the MERCURiX will handle such mat- says the deal is nonexclusive; BMG download trial earlier this year. indicated its desire to give top Italian idol's glob- ters as rights clearance. MER- priority to the administrative al career sales at CURiX will also supply technology and structural side of the busi- 30 million units. necessary for the release of en- ness in the medium term. The interna- crypted music tracks for sale on the Viewers face Choice Kishi, who will have the addi- tional appeal of Internet. french tional title of representative GRAY Ramazzotti's new MERCURiX plans to offer a director, is seen by insiders as as album was imme- range of payment options beyond Two Music Awards Shaws a good choice to oversee Sony's diately enhanced by the simultane- credit cards, such as third -party Ilf ongoing transition to a more ous release of a Spanish -language billing by Internet service pro- BY MARIE -AGNES BRUNEAU Awards from the MIDEM trade fair decentralized structure, in which version, "Estilo Libre," which gave viders (ISPs), as well as other and EMMANUEL LEGRAND in Cannes. Those awards will be label groups are given more him his best -ever debut Nov. 25 on micro -payment services, such as PARIS -For the second year in a broadcast live in prime time by TF1 autonomy before being spun off The Billboard Latin 50 chart, at No. prepaid cards, to reach out to new row, the French music industry is and NRJ Jan. 20, prior to the open- as separate companies in the 15. It climbed to No. 11 the follow- consumers who do not have credit going to have to ing of MIDEM. near future. "Kishi has had a low ing week. cards. Music download fees will be deal with two That's only 28 profile," notes an industry source "Eros is one of the most impor- announced at a later date. major awards days before the here. "He's been on the adminis- i!9 la trative side, and I think Sony tant artists in the BMG family," BMG will kick off the agreement shows vying for VKTOIREs Victoires de says Nick Stewart, London -based at Christmas by releasing 2,500 the record -buying de la Musique, the appreciates his administrative VP of international A &R for the tracks progressively, beginning in public's attention MUslqvr industry- recog- abilities." BMG Group. "He's been extremely Australia, for digital distribution within the space nized awards Citing the precedent of highly successful in Europe and South via participating retailers' Web of a few weeks. show, take place respected former SMEJ chair- America for over a decade, and con- sites. France's leading Feb. 17 in Paris at man Toshio Ozawa, whose career sequently he has a very good "BMG is leading the world in music radio net- the Olympia con- path was similar to Kishi's, understanding of his own music and digital distribution today, and we work, NRJ, and the country's largest cert venue. The Victoires will be another source notes, "At Sony, connects with his audience." are pleased to be the first in Asia commercial TV channel, TF1, will, broadcast live by national public -TV talented people do not necessar- Producers on "Stilelibero" to embark on digital distribution," for the second year in succession, channel France 2. (Continued on page 75) include two international hit mak- says BMG Entertainment Asia- jointly produce the NRJ Music (Continued on page 83)

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