AM Biz News: SXSW Up 30%, Facebook Buys Snaptu, EMI 69 Cent Sale, Weiss To Jive & More

Hypebot posts a roundup of music business news each mid-morning (ET) weekday and when warranted add a PM update late in the afternoon. For breaking news follow @hypebot on Twitter.

• Early reports have SXSW Music attendance up 30% to around 14,000 and SXSW Interactive doubling 20 more than 20,000.
• Facebook buys Snaptu, an apps maker that specializes in mobile social networking for the masses of mobiles users who don't own smartphones. (Mashable)
• A number of older hits from the EMI catalog got a bump last week with limited time 69 cent pricing and prime placement on iTunes. Billboard's Glenn Peoples has an early analysis.

MORE:

• Former RCA/Jive CEO Barry Weiss is replacing Antonio “L.A.” Reid as the Chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam and Universal Motown Republic Group  
• As more streaming music services realize that fans value curation, Rhapsody names Rob Harvilla, the former music editor at the Village Voice, as senior managing editor.
• Topspin announces the winners of its $5000 Direct To Fan grant. (Topspin)
• Hypebot's Robin Davey had his latest post picked up: 1 In 10 Friends Notice Your Facebook Wall Posts. (AllFacebook)
• Music With Me wirelessly syncs Android and iTunes for FREE. (Androinica)
• SXSW: Where the Music Still Roils in a Critical Mass. (NYT)
• Bandcamp is hiring. Details here.
• Rebecca Black Means The (Internet) Fame Game Has Changed. (TechCrunch)
• Young CEO Seeks to Reset Ticketmaster With Tech and Transparency. (Wired)
• Will renting music make people listen and love again? (Globe)
• Virtually listening to records. (AndrewDubber) 
• Mielophone: Music Industry Destroys Another Powerful Free Download Tool. (TorrentFreak)
• Product Review: My Time as a Napster User. (PCWorld)
• Music bloggers move from touting bands to booking bands. (Madison)