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tdj, You beat me to it!! lol
AMX
Posted by: 117ny302bxv howdy
In reply to: flydoc who wrote msg# 22049 Date:4/28/2005 1:21:54 PM
Post #of 22263
Expanded flydoc Question list (Print out so all shareholders are on same page)
QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK:
If I was able to go to the shareholders meeting, I would ask:
1. MONEY questions:
-- Do we make any money from any association with Microsoft?
-- Do we receive any additional revenue for "enhanced" features on CD's and / or advertising on CD?
-- Are those Shazam forecasts still considered to be accurate?
-- What did Mario based the numbers on when presented to Ken Weiner at Shazam?
-- BMG - are all or most of their commercial/retail releases including
MM5?
-- BMG Canada going commercial was announced June 2004, how is that progressing?
-- Universal, EMI, independents, etc. - when will they really commit?
-- How is the EMI worldwide pre-release use going that was announced June 2004?
-- When will the company really be cash-flow positive?
-- When can the company stop selling shares to finance its operations?
-- Why are another 90 million shares needed now?
-- When will the big finance deal for MMXT come into play?
-- What is the status of the agreement with DCA, Inc., the industry leader in optical disc signal processing.?
--What is the status of the agreement with Sonopress a global leader in media services and turnkey production operations?
--What is the status of our relationship with Tattoo Media - Tattoo Media and SunnComm will develop a web-enabled secure client environment which will allow record labels to upload standard second session user interface elements which will, in turn, automatically generate templated second session user interfaces
--What is the status, and what revenues are generated with Immediatek´s NetBurn(TM) disc burning product line?
-- What is the status of the agreement with Independent Giant KOCH Records announced June 2004?
-- The June 2004 announcement "SunnComm Achieves Breakthrough in DVD Protection" with "major motion picture distributor for testing in the ‘real’ world later this year.” - What are the results?
2. MERGER questions:
-- What's a realistic timeframe for the merger to be completed?
-- When will we know if the merger can really be 1 for 1 ?
-- Won't MMXT have to issue a bunch of shares for this merger to be 1 for 1 ?
-- How is the merger better off by not giving shareholders their promised dividends?
-- How are shareholders NOT hurt by the decision to not give the promised dividends?
-- What are legal ramifications by not distributing announced MMXT dividend?
-- What are the legal ramifications of not distributing at all the D-Stage, Now CMEG dividend, in which according to Mario, SunnComm received the 2,000,000 shares from DSTG?
3. MANAGEMENT questions:
-- What the ____ happened with the proxy materials?
-- How can we be assured that this won't happen again?
-- Will Darknoise ever make any money for SunnComm?
-- Will Apple ever let us into their kingdom?
-- Did Mgmt complete their purchase of up to 2 mil shares announced Aug 2003?
-- At the 2003 SHM we authorized up to 100 million share buyback - How many wera actually bought back?
-- Where are the dividend shares for shareowners of record on April 15, 2004 of the 11 Global Subsidiaries - "SunnComm Forms 11 Global Subsidiaries; Shareholders to Receive Share Dividend - SunnComm shareholders will receive a dividend representing ownership in that subsidiary once shareholders or their representative brokerages have shown that they are bona fide
owners of record as of April 15, 2004.”
-- Are we on target for this Sept 2004 announcement, whis is THIS QUARTER? "By the close of Q2/05, SunnComm expects to provide customer support to more than 40 countries across Europe, Australia, and North and South America."
4. COMMUNICATION questions:
-- Why have we had no conference calls?
-- How can we know what it really means when a CD appears (or disappears) on "the list" on the SunnComm web site?
-- What's the plan for improving communications with shareholders in the future?
5. HOWARD STERN questions:
-- Is it all just paid ads?
-- Is he being compensated with shares?
-- Will MediaMax be on any CD he may record and sell?
-- Explain the vision of how paid ads on his show will translate into money for SunnComm.
6. SHORT questions:
-- How do we know there are really a bunch of shorts?
-- Why should we think the current strategy to "get shorty" will be more effective than all the prior strategies?
-- Who advised the company of previous "get shorty" activities - rename the co., call in certs and issue new name and cusip, issue and conduct a dividend distribution, etc. WHAT backup data do they have and what number of short shares are thought to be out there?
-- How will withdrawing from the DTC affect individual shareholders to buy and sell shares in a timely manner?
------------------------------------------------------------
Can someone who goes to the meeting please try to get answers to these questions? Thanks.
I like that one!!! LOL
I can't take it anymore!!!! lol
AMX
Happy hour!!
Maybe because what was posted isn't the true facts here??? I don't know who he spoke with he didn't give a name did he? I guess I could post B.S. as well and nobody is the wiser correct?
AMX
When I pointed out that the statement came after the "with regard to this project" clause, he assume that it was a mistake, and should have been placed elsewhere."
So he didn't deny the deal only it should have been placed elsewhere?
Same old "bash for cash" Kenco?
LOL
AMX
MediaMax Technology Partners with Child Safety Network to Create Dynamic Multimedia Safety Education CDs
The short term goal of the Child Safety Network includes the distribution of 60 million MediaMax CDs throughout North America
PHOENIX, AZ — April 28, 2005 — MediaMax Technology Corporation (OTCBB: MMXT), the seller of MediaMax™, developed by SunnComm (OTC: SCMI), the most universally accepted and best selling enhancement and copy management technology for CDs in the U.S., is pleased to announce that they are working with the Child Safety Network (CSN). The organizations will utilize the MediaMax enhanced multimedia platform for CSN’s audio CDs. MediaMax Technology brings extensive optical media skills to the partnership that will enable CSN to brand their CDs for specific organizations and projects. As an example, organizations like the National and State PTA’s, Boy and Girl Scouts and others can have a specific CD focusing on and being branded for their group. This will enable and generate interest in a wide range of corporate sponsors and charitable partners to participate and realize the goal of supporting this important community service.
MediaMax will enable CSN (www.csn.org) to present and deliver their important safety messages in a fun, user-friendly, multi-dimensional setting. “We are excited to be working with MediaMax Technology in the area of optical media enhancement and content management,” stated Ward Leber, Child Safety Network’s CEO. “Their team has been very quick to respond and is playing a significant role in our newest initiative to support the safety of children and youth in the areas of internet safety and security. We intend to work diligently with MediaMax Technology to custom design an environment that will best serve our organization and its many supporters and sponsors.”
MediaMax Technology Corporation has an exclusive marketing agreement with SunnComm International to sell MediaMax - America’s best selling audio CD copy management and enhancement technology. Both companies earn royalties for every disc manufactured containing its proprietary copy management and enhancement software. Additionally, with regard to this project, MediaMax Technology will provide project management, production and quality control services as well as management of manufacturing relationships to make this strategic partnership successful. The short-term goal is to distribute 60 million CDs in North America and a total of 600 million units world-wide over the next 3 years generating a royalty of 4 to 6 cents per unit depending on volume.
“Using MediaMax, we are able to bring CSN’s extensive collection of safety education programs to life,” added William Whitmore, MediaMax Technology’s President. “The biggest challenge when presenting any large amount of content is to keep it dynamic and interesting, especially when the target audience is families along with their young children. By incorporating our robust multimedia features with an excellent array of safety education material from the Child Safety Network, I know that we will overcome that challenge! This strategic partnership with the CSN organization is yet another example of MediaMax being recognized as the world standard in CD copy control and enhancement technology. By deploying our core technology across new platforms and uncovering incremental revenue opportunities such as this we are able to increase shareholder value within our company.”
CSN currently has many national corporate supporters and is continuing to add new companies to the program. All of the corporate sponsors can take advantage of the various built-in sponsorship and marketing components available through MediaMax including Perfect Placement™. In addition, SunnComm’s enhanced content authoring tools will provide a very efficient environment for rapidly re-branding Child Safety Network projects for various national organizations that have collaborated with CSN in the past or may be working with them in the future.
ABOUT CHILD SAFETY NETWORK (CSN):
Since 1989, CSN has been making America a safer place for children to live. Their mission is to reduce the likelihood of children becoming victims of abuse, abduction, exploitation and injury. They accomplish that mission by developing and implementing safety educational programs on a global basis. CSN acts as a true “network” when it comes to implementation. They have worked with the world’s largest service organizations as well as local, state and federal agencies to accomplish their mission. Over 270 U.S. representatives including the office of the President have endorsed CSN’s efforts in writing.
Ward E. Leber, CEO Child Safety Network is responsible for all activities regarding CSN. Over the past 16 years, Mr. Leber has developed a wide variety of programs and services for charitable purposes that have been recognized and recorded in the Library of Congress. Some of those projects include work with The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The U.S. Department of Transportation, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association, The U.S. Department of Justice, The U.S. Postal Service, The United Nations, The House and Senate, along with various other local and national charitable organizations. Mr. Leber has been given special congressional recognition on 46 separate occasions for his innovation and expertise on pediatric injury prevention and child advocacy work and has testified before Congress as an expert witness on the use of Federal funds for missing and abused children. Currently, Mr. Leber has launched statewide and national cooperative child safety educational campaigns and written a number of publications on safety distributed to millions of parents.
Company Contacts:
Ward Leber
info@csn.org
ABOUT MEDIAMAX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION:
MediaMax Technology Corporation (OTCBB: MMXT), formerly QuietTiger, Inc. (OTCBB: QTIG) with its international reach, implements the delivery of digital content security products for the music and entertainment industry. With established long-term industry contacts throughout the world, the company understands the challenges surrounding digital content management and protection. The MediaMax Technology team of professionals has spent more than 50 years in the music and movie industry. MediaMax Technology (www.mediamaxtechnology.com) is the exclusive sales and marketing arm for SunnComm’s MediaMax suite of products.
For additional information about the company, its vision, philosophy, partners, and customers, please visit the Company’s Web site at www.mediamaxtech.com or contact:
Company Contact:
Scott Stoegbauer
602-267-3800
scotts@mediamaxtechnology.com
Investor contact:
Investor Relations
602-231-0681
press@mediamaxtechnology.com
ABOUT SUNNCOMM:
In just five years, SunnComm International Inc. (OTC:SCMI) has become the leader in digital content enhancement and security technology for audio compact disc media. 2004 was a year of milestones for SunnComm including Anthony Hamilton’s “MediaMax’d” CD “Comin’ From Where I’m From” recently achieving platinum status. Last year, Velvet Revolver’s “Contraband” CD reached the #1 spot on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart becoming the world’s first number one CD to include content management. “Contraband” has achieved double-platinum status by selling more than 2 million units. Additionally, SunnComm’s technology has appeared on many other best-selling albums in 2004, some of which have gone gold. Last year ended with MediaMax implemented on more than 75 commercially released CD titles across 25 record labels generating over 10 million CDs, making it the U.S. market leader in copy control and enhancement technology.
MediaMax is state-of-the-art technology which features SunnComm's proprietary On-the-Fly Technology™ - giving the consumer a legal method of making licensed duplicate copies of the CD music they purchase without the record label needing to include a 2nd set of songs on the CD in a protected format. MediaMax also includes SecureBurn™ - SunnComm's extraordinary new technology that inhibits copying a copy of a MediaMax CD.
MediaMax is mastered directly on the audio CD and is accessible using a personal computer. SunnComm was the first company to commercially release a content-protected audio CD utilizing an early version of the Microsoft Windows Media Data Session Toolkit, and was the first company in America to commercially release a copy-managed audio CD (www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/jan03/01-20SessionToolkitPR.asp). Bonus features include on-board press kits, artist-related promotions, videos, song lyrics, artist bio page, photo gallery, web links and tune-sharing capability through SunnComm’s MusicMail™ functionality. For more detailed information about the company, its vision or philosophy, personnel, partners, and customers, please visit the company's Web site at www.sunncomm.com, or call the Company directly at (602) 267-7500. For additional information or investor relations please contact:
Company contact:
Peter Jacobs
602-267-7500
peter@sunncomm.com Investor contact:
Investor Relations
602-231-0681
press@sunncomm.com
MediaMax CD3, On-the-Fly Technology, PromoPlay, TuneShare, MusicMail, Secure Burn and SunnComm are registered and/or trademarks of SunnComm International, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Correct me if I'm wrong but this contract is about CSN only! CSN is looking at shipping 600 million CDs worldwide over 3 years. This doesn't include any record labels,internet down loads or any other deals in the works!! Up to $30 million alone from this contract only people!!
The short-term goal is to distribute 60 million CDs in North America and a total of 600 million units world-wide over the next 3 years generating a royalty of 4 to 6 cents per unit depending on volume.
AMX
Kiosk or Wal-Mart you will need to do the same things if you want to make an extra copy or move it to another computer. It's copy protected!!
Can I transfer music downloads from Walmart.com to another computer?
Yes, you may back up your music to 2 additional computers. To back up music, you will need to make copies of both the song files and license files and transfer these to the new computer.
1. Copy and transfer song files:
Copy song file(s) and transfer (via email, on CD or through a shared network) to a designated music folder on another computer
2. Back up license files:
Go to the Tools menu on Windows Media Player and click on License Management.
Choose the location to store the license backup files.
Click the "Back Up Now" button to save all your license files to this location.
3. View license files:
License files are hidden by default until you change your folder viewing options. You must show hidden license files in order to transfer them to another computer.
Open the file where you placed your license backup files.
Go to the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
Select the View tab and click "Show hidden files and folders."
Click "OK."
4. Transfer licenses to a different computer:
Copy your license backup files. (Look for filenames drmv1key.bak, drmv1lic.bak, drmv2key.bak, drmv2lic.bak.)
Transfer all license files (via email, on CD or through a shared network) to a designated music folder on the new computer.
5. Restore licenses:
You must restore the licenses on the new computer before you can play the songs.
Go to the Tools menu on Windows Media Player and click on License Management.
Point to the location where you saved the license files on the new computer.
Click "Restore Now" to allow Windows Media Player to access the licenses on the new computer.
Open the song to play it.
Sony BMG, Warner Music Ink Publishing Pact
Sony BMG and Warner/Chappell Music have joined forces on a recent publishing
deal, paving the way for a quicker rollout of various digital assets.
Warner/Chappell, the publishing arm for Warner Music, controls a catalog of
over one million songs. The new arrangement will allow Sony BMG to deliver
ringtones, ringbacks, full song downloads and digital video clips more
quickly, as well as a host of new video delivery formats. The deal also
helps pave the way for a broader rollout of DualDiscs, which feature a CD on
one side and DVD content on the other. "This agreement reflects our shared
commitment to effectively work together in developing new business
opportunities and realize the full promise of the digital age," said Ron
Wilcox, executive vice president of Sony BMG. The move follows a similar
tie-up between Sony BMG and EMI Music Publishing.
Dave Matthews Band Hits iTunes, Exclusive Pre-Release
Dave Matthews Band has finally appeared on the iTunes Music Store, with an
exclusive pre-release of the single "American Baby" now available for
download. That could be the start of a greater catalog offering, though
Apple will likely require the band to sell its songs individually. That was
originally a deal-breaker for the group, which prefers to sell its catalog
in full album format only. Napster landed an exclusive digital distribution
deal with the group in July of last year, with other stores like Sony
Connect eventually gaining access to the catalog. The group also sells album
downloads on its website, davematthewsband.com.
Rob Glaser: "Digital Music Will Never be the Same"
RealNetworks is preparing to deliver a big digital music announcement this
morning in New York, with most pointing towards a new portable subscription
service. A monthly price point of $14.95 has been suggested ahead of the
announcement, putting the new service on par with Napster To Go. The rollout
would likely add to the existing Rhapsody on-demand subscription offering,
with is currently PC-tethered. But more may be in the works, with CEO Rob
Glaser proclaiming that "we are changing the rules of the internet again,
and digital music will never be the same". That certainly sounds momentous,
though one analyst joked that "they also thought Harmony was big". The event
takes place at Radio City Music Hall.
Real certainly has some momentum ahead of the announcement, with the company
recently notching its one millionth subscriber. That came alongside record
Q1 revenues of $76.6 million, which beat a previous year number of $60.4
million. Meanwhile, Napster has raised its revenue guidance twice, with the
company pointing to big new subscriber levels for its portable subscription
service. All of that lends credibility to the subscription services, despite
ongoing criticism from big players like Steve Jobs.
SCMI buy 5,000,000 shares at one time nice!
Happy meals for everyone!!
AMX
Greetings Shareholders!
This is a friendly reminder about the SunnComm International, Inc. (OTC: SCMI) and MediaMax Technology Corporation (OTCBB: MMXT) Annual Shareholder Meetings to be held Friday April 29th in Phoenix, Arizona.
This year’s meetings will take place at the Crown Plaza Phoenix Airport. SunnComm’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with MediaMax’s meeting to follow at 1 p.m.
The Crown Plaza is located at 4300 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034, less than 2 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and just south of SunnComm. For reservations at the Crown Plaza, please call 602-273-7778.
Registration and a complimentary breakfast reception will begin at 9 a.m. at the Crown Plaza where staff will be at your disposal; SunnComm’s meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Afterwards, lunch will be provided to all shareholders with the MediaMax meeting to follow at 1 p.m. Once the meetings have adjourned, shareholders are welcome to help themselves to afternoon snacks, to meet teams from both companies and to socialize in the Crown Plaza’s beautiful restaurant or lounge, where cigar smoking is permitted.
Please RSVP!! To RSVP, simply send an e-mail to RSVP@SunnComm.com with your name and which company’s shares you own or call Renee at 1-866-SUNNCOMM.
We look forward to seeing everyone soon in sunny Arizona!
Warmest regards,
The SunnComm and MediaMax Teams
Eagle nailed that one!
AMX
Kenco, Has been busy I see!!
Just south of Twin Falls. Moved from Murrieta,Ca 6 months ago and I love it!
AMX
GcRox99, Nice to read what was said on the show!
Thanks
AMX
Looking at the share prices. I would have to say no! But time will tell!
AMX
I don't get to hear it here in (BFE) Idaho.
AMX
So far your right!!
15-Apr-05 Oppenheimer MVSN Downgrade Buy Neutral
MediaMax on Howard Stern!
America’s most listened to on-air personality will be talking about America’s most used copy management and enhancement technology – MEDIAMAX.
That’s right, the King of All Media, Howard Stern, will be sampling some of the great features found on the newest version of MediaMax and talking about his experiences on the air to his nationwide audience of millions starting this Monday and continuing for several weeks.
As if that weren’t enough, Howard is expected to mention our company name and the fact that we’re publicly traded. Dare we dream for a stock symbol mention???
So, if you’re a regular Howard Stern fan, or just want to tune in to hear about MediaMax, check your local radio listings for station and time.
Have a GREAT weekend. We CAN get there from here!
Peter
Posted by: SumDay
In reply to: LongJohn520 who wrote msg# 21264 Date:4/15/2005 4:02:25 PM
Post #of 21420
Thanks for the post LongJohn...Here's a straight answer from Kinksweet records per my e mail this morning:
Why is it that Kinkysweet records has opted to drop copy protection -- namely MediaMax on it's CD's...? Did you experience problems with the copy protection technology...? Also -- where is Kinkysweet headquartered...? Thank you...XXX
Answer..................
John,
We never experienced any problems with Media Max. In fact they were always extremely responsive, and their customer service was excellent.
Most of our consumbers are 25 to 40 years old, and in a much higher than average income bracket. After much customer research we found that the majority of our consumers only copied the music for their own personal music players, or simply to have an extra CD for the car etc. With that in mind, it did not seem worthwhile for us to spend the time or money adding this software into our CDs.
If our market was primarily in the 15 to 25 year old range, we would probably continue to use the software.
Regards,
Jon Levy
SunnGramm,
MediaMax on Howard Stern!
America’s most listened to on-air personality will be talking about America’s most used copy management and enhancement technology – MEDIAMAX.
That’s right, the King of All Media, Howard Stern, will be sampling some of the great features found on the newest version of MediaMax and talking about his experiences on the air to his nationwide audience of millions starting this Monday and continuing for several weeks.
As if that weren’t enough, Howard is expected to mention our company name and the fact that we’re publicly traded. Dare we dream for a stock symbol mention???
So, if you’re a regular Howard Stern fan, or just want to tune in to hear about MediaMax, check your local radio listings for station and time.
Have a GREAT weekend. We CAN get there from here!
Peter
SONY
Inside the Shakeup at Sony
The surprising selection of Howard Stringer as Sony's CEO was a classic boardroom tale of executive intrigue and dashed ambitions.
By Brent Schlender
Nobuyuki Idei was in a quandary. It was mid-January 2005, and the weary Sony Corp. CEO had just received confirmation from his chief financial officer, Katsumi Ihara, of what many around headquarters had dreaded.
Price wars for flat-screen TVs and sluggish holiday sales of other consumer electronics gadgets had undercut financial results for the quarter ended in December. Revenues were 7.5% lower than in the corresponding 2003 quarter, and operating profits, perhaps the truest measure of Sony's strength and agility, were off 13%. Worse, that meant Sony's projected revenues for the fiscal year ending in March were its lowest in five years—$68.6 billion—and 5% below what the company had forecast, something to which Idei would have to fess up both in public and before an increasingly restive board of directors. Clearly, Idei's "Transformation 60" restructuring plan—intended to reinvigorate the company in time for Sony's 60th anniversary in 2006—wasn't working. It was time for a bigger jolt.
True to form for the CEO of a company long known for its unconventional leaders, Idei went out like a maverick. In March he named a foreigner—Sir Howard Stringer, a relative newcomer who had spent the past seven years running the company's U.S. operations—as the next chairman and CEO of Japan's most famous company. And that wasn't all. Idei announced that he had asked six other corporate officers who were fellow "inside" directors to join him in resigning from the Sony board when he steps down officially as CEO this June, leaving the "outsiders" with a hefty eight-to-three majority.
The moves sent a shock wave through the electronics and media industries, and not just because Stringer, 63, is a Welsh-born American who doesn't speak Japanese. Stringer is not an engineer, nor much of a gadget freak, nor even a marketing whiz; his main claim to fame is overseeing the resurgence of Sony's movie and music business.
Ringtones: Music To Music Moguls' Ears
Earlier this year, as the rapper 50 Cent was putting the finishing touches on his second album, The Massacre, for Interscope Records, the Jamaica (N.Y.) sensation carved out time from his studio schedule for an important task: recording a voice tone and a voice ringback. Those snippets would eventually let cell-phone users paying a one-time fee of $2 to hear him when they received or placed a call. Then a musical ditty from the single, Candy Shop, was converted into a ringtone, making 50 Cent ubiquitous in wireless -- just as The Massacre topped the charts in March. Advertisement
For music executives still stung by Internet piracy and slammed for not moving quickly enough to exploit the Net, the industry is going to great lengths not to blow it with new wireless technologies. They're seeing that cell phones are just as important as CD and MP3 players, radio, and music videos. And ensuring that breakout artists like 50 Cent have content tailored for mobile phones is now a must, not just for the sake of promotion but as a critical new source of revenue.
Increasingly, selling $13 CDs at retail stores is the old-fashioned way to make money on music. Now there's a host of fresh possibilities, from video game soundtracks to preloaded artist catalogs on hard drives in cars -- imagine an Elvis Cadillac or a Britney BMW. Meanwhile, lawyers are working overtime on new publishing, royalty, and licensing agreements for the nascent business models. Cell phones now represent enough promise for all the major music companies to be setting up mobile-business divisions. "With 180 million handsets in the U.S., how could we not be bullish on the mobile market, especially now that downloads to phones are possible?" says Thomas Hesse, president of global digital business at Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
But no matter how many new businesses emerge, music execs still face an uphill battle competing with free. After the first uptick in music sales in years in 2004, the figures dropped again -- by 6% -- in the first quarter of 2005, to 134.8 million albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan (VNUVY ). About 750 million songs are still being swapped unauthorized or free on the Internet every month, according to file-sharing tracker Big Champagne. To understand the magnitude of the threat, consider that the most successful legal download service, Apple Computer Inc.'s (AAPL ) iTunes Music Store, has sold less than half of the illegal monthly volume, 300 million songs, since its launch two years ago.
Spinning Faster
What's more, digital-music sales are still a tiny sliver of the overall pie. Digital music, mostly made up of downloads on the Internet and tones on cell phones, accounts for roughly 2% of the $30 billion global music business. But executives see a quick ramp-up. Alain Levy, CEO of EMI Music, for one, has said that digital sales could be 25% of his company's total in five years, with cell-phone downloads and subscriptions making up a big chunk. In the first six months of its fiscal year ending last November, EMI reported digital sales that doubled year-on-year, to $37.8 million, still just a fraction of its $1.6 billion in total revenues. Much of the digital gain was attributable to online sales in America, mobile revenues in Japan, and ringtone revenues at EMI Publishing.
Ringtones are driving most of the mobile-music business today. The replication of songs into a series of tones costs customers $1 to $3 apiece. As their sound quality improves, so will demand, say executives. If there was any doubt of their importance to the future of music, the industry's stalwart trade magazine, Billboard, now compiles a regular chart of the 20 Hot Ringtones. Thanks to teenagers who sometimes swap out ringtones as many as three to four times a week, they will become a nearly $9.4 billion business in 2008, estimates consultant Strategy Analytics Inc. "Ringtones are all about personalization. They are self-expression," says Rio Caraeff, vice-president of Universal Mobile Music. "You buy a ringtone for a different reason than you buy a download of a song." How about Joss Stone's You Had Me as the ring for an ex-husband, or Sinatra's New York, New York for a cousin in Manhattan? Assigning a tune to a caller is an expressive way to make a statement about a person or a relationship.
The fact that the industry is embracing all kinds of new formats for selling music might be the one good thing to come from the nightmare of the past several years, says Mark Harrington, a media analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. (BSC ) in London. "The music industry is where the movie business was 20 years ago -- trying to figure new revenue streams. For Hollywood, it was establishing [staggered] releases to VHS, then DVD, to premium cable, to now [video on demand]." Up until then, film libraries had little value, he says, but now they are being thoroughly mined in a booming DVD market. The message for music and its catalogs is parallel: The new technologies are making it possible to wring even more profit from the industry's vast song libraries. Music execs should no longer care about where revenues come from, says Harrington, especially since operating margins for digital music sales are expected to be 18%, vs. about 12% for CDs. What has music moguls even more upbeat on cell phones is the relative security they offer compared with the Internet, they say. "Cell phones are a closed system," says Sony BMG's Hesse. "And a payment system through credit-card billing is built into the device."
Nobody understands the prospects for digital music better than the publishing side of the business, which collects money for the rights of songwriters from radio plays, live performances, TV commercials, and movies -- and now ringtones. Publishing has always been a high-margin part of the business, but it stands to make a killing in this new world because of all the new ways for music to reach fans. "We love additive products, believe me," says Martin Bandier, CEO of EMI Music Publishing, the world's largest music publisher, with a catalog of more than 1 million songs. "It's like we are in the bread-crumb business. Sooner or later, you get a loaf of bread." Bandier says his company collects about 10% of the retail price of ringtones. The songwriter gets paid a royalty from that.
Despite the payoffs, threats still loom. There's new software, Xingtones, costing $20, that converts MP3 files to ringtone formats, pushing once again into the realm of free. Even so, the trick for the music industry will be to learn from the past -- that new technologies mean new opportunities. Just ask 50 Cent.
Both companies will do just fine!!
AMX
corApple Ships Mac OS X Tiger Software on April 29
NEW YORK (April 12) - Apple Computer Inc. said Tuesday that the latest major update of its Mac OS X operating system, code-named Tiger, will be available on April 29.
The Cupertino, California-based maker of Macintosh computers and iPod digital music players has long said that Tiger would be shipped by the first half of the year.
The updated operating system -- which serves as the nerve center controlling the functions of all the features of the computer -- is expected to fuel interest in Apple's computers, already energized by products including the Mac Mini and the iPod digital music player. However, some consumers may delay a decision to buy until the new software is released.
Tiger,includes new features such as Spotlight, Apple's advanced desktop search function that scours the computer's hard disk drive to find documents, e-mail, pictures and music,
Ok, Who is Howard and what does he want with us? lol
AMX
Some of you just don't get it! Wait and see for yourself!!
Best to all.
AMX
Boy are you in for a surprise.
AMX
MVSN 20.46 down 1.82 down 8.17%
Ouch!
AMX
berg111, Keep up the good work!!
Thanks
Amx
I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!
AMX
I agree!!!
AMX
Grandma, It's the end results I'm looking for not the ups and downs!!
AMX