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EMI about to join AIM and declare Independence? February 5, 2008

Posted by Paul Birch in : AIM, BPI, EMI, IMPALA, Paul Birch , trackback

As the BPI changes its constitution to try to hang on to EMI, are EMI intending to join AIM / IMPALA / WIN and abandon IFPI and BPI all together?

BPI sceptic Roger Ames alleged arch evil over lord and chief scheme plotter behind Guy Hands is plotting in his shed

The EMI digital away-day, two years ago at Wright Lane, should have been the writing on the wall. Ted Cohen ran new media and was the main speaker at an event meant to open up New media to music minors and give them a major perspective on how EMI were taking on the difficult issues. EMI flew people in from Asia and all over the world it was a very impressive event laid on just for the independents. But not just any independents, as EMI’s fellow BPI and IFPI members were not invited. At least one BPI council member resigned in outrage. But these were the days when Alain Levy was in charge and he made sure no IFPI or BPI members were present. Madness. Why invite half the Indies and bar the other half, especially the ones that are meant to be part of your own trade association?

EMI have been cosying up to AIM for the longest time. We are about to see what it all means. Industry insiders reckon Guy Hands will be planning to sit down some time soon with Martin Mills to work this all out. It would look like a major PR advantage that would take the music world by storm and might even do something for share prices for a change.

Putting £1 or 2M into AIM/IMPALA/ WIN would buy them a lot more influence, that kind of money doesn’t go very far with IFPI, after all BPI costs alone amount to nearly £8M a year to run the place. Then there is the opportunity to be closer to the Indie community. For instance they could meet new friends, then buy them!

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