Thursday’s Music 2.0 Briefing: Live Nation Chases Stones, Sykes Out At MTV & Much More

> Live Nation appears to be the front runner in the race for The Rolling Stones catalog. In addition to re-releasing the albums currently with EMI, "Live Nation would take merchandising and touring rights for future Stones shows in which they would showcase a classic catalog album each night. Fans would also be able to buy live mobile downloads at gigs." (Times UK) EMI can not keep taking these blows. Get out your checkbook and get creative Guy!

> Music distributor Handleman posted another large quarterly loss. (Crains)

> President of Network Development John Sykes is leaving MTV. He was part of the original 1981 launch team. (FMQB)

> "The 20 Biggest Record Company Screw Ups" according to Blender. We all have our own list.

> Management consulting and technology services company Accenture will provide digital supply services for Universal Music Group in all territories outside North America. Under the deal, Accenture will organize and store audio, video, artwork and metadata for distribution. (press release) I believe in outsourcing but I’m surprised that the world’s largest label group would not want to control its own digital assets.

> Alltop provides pages of top headlines on a variety of topics including music.  Its an interesting way to get an overview of what’s happening in the world and topics you care about from wide variety of sources. Its now part of my daily read.

> I get a lot of pitches from labels touting their new initiatives, but I was particularly impressed by an email from classical label group Naxos and the variety of Music 2.0 avenues they are exploring. (view it here)

> Sirius say they are confident the merger with XM will be approved withing a month. (Reuters)