EXCLUSIVE: eMusic’s CEO Reacts To Major Label MP3 Experiments

HYPEBOT: Do you believe the Norah Jones mp3 download is an isolated experiment or that EMI and other majors will embrace mp3’s in the near future?

DAVID PAKMAN: I believe this is a continuation of several experiments from the majors and that several majors have come to the conclusion that the current direction is not maximizing digital sales. We think the majors will remove the DRM requirement for certain portions of their catalog in the first half of 2007.
    
HYPEBOT: How do you see the increased availability of mp3’s from major labels effecting eMusic’s growth?

DAVID PAKMAN: eMusic is the world’s best retailer of independent music and has
become expert at selling music beyond the commercial mainstream. No matter
what the major labels’ decide, eMusic’s success will continue as we serve the large market interested in something other than pop music. eMusic would be a great place for those major labels interested in substantially increasing the digital sales of their back, deleted, and underperforming catalogs, particular in the genres of jazz, classic rock, blues, and classical.