Changes at MySpace Records: A Closer Look
In a post last week we mentioned the departure of J Scavo from his role as GM at MySpace Records after being tapped for a digital marketing position at Hollywood Records. In a seemingly unrelated turn of events, the following day word began to leak that bigger changes were afoot at the label and that a significant portion of the MSR staff was being let go. From there rumors and speculation as to the label’s future and potential demise began to fly, ranging from a slow “wind-down,” to being restructured as primarily an A&R source for its major label partner Interscope Records.
Many reports cited MSR’s likely transition into its originally intended function as an A&R source, though it’s unclear how that might work with the reduction including staff from that very department. Additionally, some are wondering what the future holds for the A&R and artist development-focused program MySpace Friends & Family, which now includes over 100 artists. While it’s true the initial hiring priority at the label was in artist & repertoire, which is not unusual, a fully-functioning label was then assembled around that.
And what about the artists signed to the label? Reports last week all similarly stated that MSR acts appear to be out of harm’s way despite all the big changes. But with the presumed transformation, how can that be? Surely some of the MSR roster could be folded into Interscope, however it seems unlikely that would be the case for all of their artists, particularly those without any sales history or those unfitting to that major label’s very selective artist mold.
Will MySpace’s principle focus be put into the struggling MySpace Music platform while MySpace Records becomes just a logo on the back of future releases? That and many other questions still remain, though undoubtedly more answers will be revealed over the coming months. Stay tuned…
01.14.10Promiscuous Drunks, Friendly Calls and Humbug Resolutions… Happy New Year!
Chiddy Bangin on BBC Radio 1
It was one-year ago today that we published our ‘welcome back & happy new year‘ piece for 2009, so a post-holiday roundup and a look at the early action in 2010 on this date only seems fitting.
Taking up the digital marketing reins at Hollywood Records is J Scavo, who exits his GM position at MySpace Records where he was integral in promotions like Toyota Rock the Space and Wendy’s Fresh Faces, as well as the signing of artists such as Christina Milian and Meiko among others… It appears things are heating up stateside for Philly’s Chiddy Bang with the Crush-managed artist being signed by EMI in the UK and their track “The Opposite of Adults” getting spun regularly on Radio 1. Another early contender for one of the new year’s first bidding-derby acts is TMills, as we hear major-label heads are lining up to showcase the tattooed auto-crooner… Distorted electro-duo Sleigh Bells appear to be closing a deal with indie shop Mom & Pop, while Austin’s Ume is being courted by multiple big-indies on opposite coasts. Stay tuned…
In other updates, the next New Music Seminar will take place in Los Angeles on February 2nd, and will feature Spotify founder Daniel Ek as keynote speaker and numerous panelists including Ian Rogers, Alex Patsavas, Jason Bentley and Kevin Lyman to name a few… And in case you missed this holiday reading, checkout And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records, the new inside account of the influential and infamous record label was penned by label co-founder Larry Harris.
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