advertisement RISL MARCH 11, 2000 TITVT T Music Volume 17, Issue 11 £3.95 TOP 10 II Media.we talk to radio M&M chart toppers this week Sony takes SteppesSan Remo celebrates Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Italy's new music TOM JONES & MOUSSE T by Mark Dezzani Sex Bomb (Bliss Co.) to conquer Russia SAN REMO - The 50th edition of European Top 100 Albums by Gordon Masson, company set up by Sumin in 1996. A Italy's annual San Remo Song Festi- International news editor, Billboard Sony spokesman confirmed that the val (February 21-26) is being applaud- SANTANA company had acquired selected assets ed by the country's record industry Supernatural Moscow - Sony Music is taking the of Dana Music for an undisclosed fee. for breaking with tradition (Arista) plunge into the economically uncer- Sony claims to be the first company and becoming representa- European Radio Top 50 tain by establishing a wholly owned among the majors in Russia to have tive of Italy's new pop. ALL SAINTS subsidiary in Russia. 100% ownershipof a The festival is one Pure Shores Despite a chronic pira-Sony MusicRussian affiliate. How- of the biggest annual cy problem and plummet- ever, it is not the first to TV viewing events in se (London) ing sales in that territory, the compa-venture into the complex world of the Italy, and. the final Satur- European Dance Traxx ny is setting up Sony Music Enter- Russian music industry. Universal is day evening show on Italy's public ser- CHICANE tainment Russia (SMER). already heavily involved in the former vice network RAIUNO was watched by Don't Give Up Operating from offices in Moscow, Soviet country with its 90% stake in an audience of more than 16.2 million Universal Music Russia, and, with a (62.48% share). (Xtravaganza) SMER will be headed by managing director Andrei Sumin. He will lead anview to tapping into Russian youth, The cult folk/rock outfit Piccola operational staff of 14 people including MTV recently established its MTV Rus- Orchestra Avion Travel won the sec- Inside M&M this week a full A&R department which plans tosia platform-an outlet which SMER is tion for established artists with their develop the existing roster of locallikely to try to exploit in marketing its atmospheric song Sentimento MARLIN NETS AWARDS HAUL artists as well as signing both new andproduct. (Insieme/Sugar), and Jenni B won the Virgin signing Lene established Russian artists. Previously, Sony Music had been Marlin scooped four Those local artists include Nautil- shipping finished CDs into Russia on a awards at Norway's ius Pompilius and Valery Leontyev, distribution -only basis. However, with A stealth `attaque' music awards show who had been with Dana Music, a continued on page 21 on the French charts Spellemannprisen last week, in a by Gary Smith celebration of home- grown talent. Page 4 PARIS - Any band that sells over two million albums can expect a major TAKING THE RAP marketing campaign behind its next The biggest of US rap stars can release-unless that band is French findit hard going in Europe. rock sensation Louise Attaque. After M&M examines the penetration the success of their self - this American genre has achieved titleddebut,the band in Europe, and looks at what its adamantlyrefused to future might be in the difficult hype their new album, continental markets. Page 7 Comme On A Dit (Atmo- spheriques/Trema), but DOWNLOADING THE WORLD that didn't stop it enter- The first of a series of monthly ing the French charts at number one. Internet -related M&M features "We were very aware that their ini- reports on the racetocreate tialsuccess had been an organic consumer -friendly new technology process,"explainsAtmospheriques in a world where music Aqua thank their guests at the Royal Library of Congress in Copen- managing director Marc Thonon. "The downloading willbecome as hagen at a lavish launch party on February 25 to mark their return to group were determined to resist the commonplace as a visit to the winning ways with their album Aquarius, already certified quadruple pressure from media and retailers for local store. Page 8 platinum (200,000 units sold) in their native Denmark. continued on page 21 the New Album RETURN OF SATURN Follow-up to the multi platinum sellino 'TragicKingdom', featuring the singles 'Don't Speak' & 'Just AGirl` the New Single EX -GIRLFRIEND AmericanRadioHistory.Com 01J newalb JOKO Includes the single My Hope Is In and Birima featuring Wyclef Jea 1:111,1 \ www.sonymusiceurope.com AmericanRadioHistory.Com NEWS tries such as Germany and France where A&R, marketing and promotional costs have risen to levels which are simi- Music lar to-if not higher than-those in the UK. Upfront Because even if the situation is not as flourishing as it by Emmanuel Legrand, Music & Media editor -in -chief was a few years back, the UK still has the ambition-and Media. the potential-to produce acts of international class for the Call M&M on: So once again CD pricing is under fire in the UK. A recentworld, and therefore can recoup investments from a bigger tel (+44) 171 822 8302 survey undertaken by Nielsen in several European Unionpool than many other European territories which mostly fax (+44) 171 242 9138 territories on behalf of the UK Department of Trade & produce for local consumption. Industry compared prices of dozens of consumer goods, Besides, how can labels justify different pricing struc- For direct lines dial +44 171 822, and found out that CDs were over -priced in the UK com- tures in all these countries when, through the Internet, followed by the required extension pared to other countries. you can chose "the right price"? The debate is not new, but it's exacerbated by increasing Now, the only way forward is to understand finally that Publisher: Ron Betist (ext. 8312) Editor-in-chiefi Emmanuel Legrand (8318) pressure on UK prices from supermarket and hypermarket the European market is one single market and that there Director of operations: Kate Leech (8307) chain discounters such as Asda and Woolworth. should be, for any given CD, one single wholesale price in The UK's industry body the BPI has reacted strongly to Euros for the whole of Europe. And Ed Ito rl I Deputy editor: Jon Heasman (8316) the report, which the local press promptly used to suggestif this wholesale price could be clos- News editor: Terry Heath (8317) Music editor: Adam Howorth (8319) that consumers were being ripped off by labels. The BPI er to the US's it would be even bet- Reporter: Sin Stavenes Dove (8311) has a point when it says all things are not comparable,ter. UK indie Beggars Banquet Charts 8( research and that consumer prices don't always reflect the true showed the way a few months back. Charts editor: Rani Cairo (8313) nature of pricing, which can be affected by different taxIt is now the time for all the other Charts researchers: Menno Visser (8322), rates and cost structures. companies, especially the majors, to Beverley Evans (8321) However, the BPI crosses a dangerous line when itstart thinking globally and acting Production states that "UK research and development costs are higher accordingly. Production manager: Jonathan Crouch (8314) Designer: Mat Deaves (8323) than in other countries, particularly those in Europe." This CD pricing was a debate from Correspondents argument will probably be seriously questioned by coun- another century. Time to move on. Austria: Susan L. Schuhmayer - (43) 1 334 9608 Belgium: Marc Maes - (32) 3 568 8082 Music & Media values its readers' opinions-you can e-mail the editor -in -chief at: [email protected] Classical/jazz: Terry Berne - (34) 91 474 4640 Dance: Gary Smith - (34) 9 3488 2180 Denmark: Charles Ferro - (45) 3391 9156 Germany: Gesa Birnkraut - (49) 4101 45930 Italy: Mark Dezzani - (39) 0184 292 824 The Netherlands: Robbert Tilli - (31) 20-672 2566 Kavanagh departs Emap Radio New Media: Juliana Koranteng - (44) 181-891 3893 Norway: Kai R. Lofthus - (47) 918 21 208 Spain: Howell Llewellyn - (34) 9 1593 2429 by Jon Heasman Lincoln-appointed to that post lastnet sector. Tom Hunter, currently Sweden: Fredrik Nilsson - (46) 8 735 9750 year-is also likely to inherit some ofmanaging director of Emap's Liver- Johan Lindstrom - (46) 8 470 3730 LONDON - Another major UK radio Kavanagh's previous responsibilities. pool CHR station Radio City, has Sales and Marketing group has lost its group programme Kavanagh is leaving Emap afterbeen appointed managing director of International sales director: Ron Betist (UK, USA) - (31) 299 420274; director following Paul Kavanagh's four years as group programmer to set the Emap Performance Network's mobile: (31) 653 194133 decision to resign from Emap. up a consultancy which he promises local radio -linked Internet brand, Sales executives: Igor Rooselaar (Benelux; Yourscreen.com. Scandinavia) - (31) 299 420274 Kavanagh's departure comes lesswill "add value and strengthen rela- Francois Millet/Christophe Chiappa (France) - than a month after news thattionships between consumers and lain Clasper, who previously head- (33) 145 49 29 33 media." He adds: "I am now ready for ed up the development of those sites, Beth Dell'Isola (US Radio) - (1) 770 831 4585; Chrysalis Radio programme director Lidia Bonguardo (Italy, Spain, Greece, Keith Pringle is moving into thea new challenge. There is a lot ofwill continueto work alongside Portugal) - (39) 031570056; Olav Bjerke Internet sector with his new opportunity toget moreHunter before moving on to further (Germany) - (49) 221 868005. venture,RidetheTiger involved in the music indus- special projects within the company. Sales & marketing co-ordinator: (M&M, February 19).