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Digital Digest: U2 iPod, UK, Will.i.am, Al Gore, Amp'd
Apple updates special iPod, cuts price; UK music industry asks for tax breaks; Black Eyed Pea joins Musicane; Current TV links with Pump Audio; Circuit City to sell Amp'd phones.
iPod U2 Special Edition
Apple updates U2 iPod
Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Apple's update of its iPods, Nanos, and Shuffles two weeks ago, as well as its addition of movies to iTunes, the company has quietly updated and cut the price of its special edition U2-branded iPod. The U2 iPod now boasts the same brighter screen, longer battery life, and updated software of its regular fifth-generation (5G) iPod brethren. The U2 iPod still sports a black design with a red click wheel and engravings of the band member's signatures--Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.--on the back. Apple also cut the price of the U2 iPod, from $329 to $279, $30 more than the regular 5G iPods.
BPI calls for tax breaks
Citing tax breaks given to the pharmaceutical industry for research and development (R&D), the organization representing the UK music industry is asking the British government for similar benefits. BPI, the industry body that represents hundreds of UK record labels including the British arms of EMI, Universal Music, and Warner Music, has proposed that the government proffer a similar tax break scheme because of the financial risk involved in developing new talent. BPI is essentially comparing the financial risk with developing artists each year and that of drug companies that stand to lose substantial money in developing drugs that do not obtain regulatory approval.
BPI
BPI suggested that the industry spends £200 million ($380 million) on artist development, or 17 percent of its annual sales, which is more than the R&D expenses of the aerospace, defense, and car industries. "Tax breaks on A&R would represent a significant, practical step that the government could take to help the music industry," BPI chief Peter Jamieson said in a statement. Such a system," he added, "would create incentives for greater investment in our industry and would put the development of British intellectual property on the same footing as in other industries."
Will.i.am joins Musicane as head of marketing
Will.i.am
It may be Fergie's time to shine, but don't forget about Will.i.am. The ubiquitous rapper, front man for the Black Eyed Peas and producer for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Nas, has joined digital music company Musicane as head of marketing. Musicane, which makes a platform on which artists can market, distribute, and sell their content online, hopes to capitalize on the rapper's status as a tastemaker, according to chief executive Sudhin Shahani. "Will is a stellar example of someone who is an innovator and tastemaker both from a creative standpoint and in the manner he has embraced new technologies to further his success," he said in a statement. Will also told Billboard today that his studio album might hit stores this year.
"[Interscope cochairman] Jimmy [Iovine] wants to put it out in December. If not, they'll shoot for the beginning of next year," Will recently told Billboard. "Right now I'm just writing a whole bunch of songs that can easily be rendered and manipulated in any type of direction once they are written. I have to push the envelope, [but] not too far, not just for the sake of pushing it."
Al Gore's Current inks music deal
Al Gore
Pump Audio, which licenses independent music for use in advertisements and television shows, inked a deal with Al Gore's Current TV, allowing the fledgling cable and satellite channel to air video over tracks from the 65,000-song Pump Audio catalog. Current is based around user-generated content, with users sending in videos like documentaries in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The channel has a hefty Web presence and is also available through Comcast and DirecTV. Current recently inked a deal to provide content to Yahoo, as well.
"Our catalog is a proven alternative to library music because the music comes from real independent artists," Pump Audio CEO Steve Ellis said in a statement. "We think independent music will match best with the passion of Current TV's independent pod creators."
Circuit City to sell Amp'd phones
Amp'd Mobile
Amp'd Mobile said today that consumer electronics retailer Circuit City will sell its mobile phones, potentially giving the distributor of content for the fraternity set a bigger audience. Unlike wireless giants Sprint and Verizon, Amp'd doesn't have its own network space; instead, they rent it from Verizon. Amp'd said earlier this month that it had crossed 50,000 customers. Amp'd said it hopes Circuit City will help it reach up to 150,000 customers by the holiday shopping season.
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