Monday’s Music 2.0 Briefing: SonyBMG And IDJ Layoffs, EMI Changes, Zep In US, Nettwerk Stake Sold & Much More

UPDATED:

>>> As many as 70 executives appear to be getting pink slips across the
Sony BMG label group. (more plus commentary) Cuts are also in progress at Universal’s Island Def Jam. (more) Expect more in the coming days from other labels.

>>> EMI‘s new owner Terra Firma is in search of a new CEO and none of the current company execs appear to be in the running.  (TimesOnline) The compani is also cutting back on the last vestiges of executive perks and excess. (Telegraph UK) Now what about cutting back on the executives themselves?

>>> Are Led Zeppelin and Metallica confirmed for Bonnaroo? (a letter to Bob Lefsetz via DMW)

>>> Amazon and Wal-Mart unwittingly team up against DRM. (ars)

>>> Mke Esterlin to lead merged Roadrunner and Lava promo staffs. (Billboard.biz)

>>> UK’s MAMA Group has grabbed a 20% stake in Canada’s Nettwerk Music Group which label, management and publishing. (Billboard.biz)

>>>
CONFLICTING VIEWS OF THE LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY

• Concert giant Live Nation is looking beyond producing concerts to drive growth. (WSJ via Daily Swarm)
• But a new study says live music revenues could exceed music sales. (Wired.com’s Listening Post)
• From where I sit, touring revenue has been far more important for most acts than recording revenue for many years.  Even when artists sold many more records; they still seldom so big payouts from the labels.

>>> Just to make sure that you didn’t miss anything that would cost you your job, read Hypebot’s Music 2.0 Week In Review: Doug Morris Blabs, WMG Stumbles. Pepsi To Give Away 1 Billion Tracks, Label Debate & Much More

>>> Get you daily dose of rock and roll wisdom @ TheRockDose.com