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> Sony BMG U.K. names Vodafone exec Graeme Ferguson to the new position of SVP Digital & Strategic Partnerships.
> WMG ups Stephen Bryan to SVP of Digital Strategy & Business Development.
> Transactions carried out via cell phones in Japan exceeds US $100 billion. (PC World)
> Bands performing their classic albums live is becoming a trend. (Listening Post) Not bad for catalog sales either.
> Hat tip to the Daily Swarm New Music Tipsheet for making the connection: all these layoffs the newspaper business is making the record business look good. Silicon Alley Insider has the latest body count.
> Warner Music Group will release second quarter financial results on August 7 and hold an earnings call that morning at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the conference call dial 800-857-2625 or 210-234-6601. The passcode is "Warner Music." You can replay the call until August 2 at 866-443-8045 or 203-369-1128 and via webcast at www.wmg.com.
> Lyle Lovett says: 1) He's sold 4-5 million records and never gotten a royalty check. (Somebody probably got him huge advance checks and he never recouped.) 2) He's thinking about jumping off the major label bandwagon. (Lyle, that means no more big advances.) (Reuters)
