IFPI Digital Music Report 2007 - Quotes
| SEE ALSO |
  Download
Press Release |
"As we continue our transformation from a "˜songs-and-records' company into one that delivers a wide variety of rich, music-based content onto
multiple platforms, our experience has shown that the key to harnessing the vast digital opportunity is ensuring innovation remains our guiding
principle. We always work towards establishing strategic partnerships, pioneering new products and exciting user experiences within a framework that
recognises the needs of consumers alongside the rights of copyright holders, and we believe that is the best way to ensure that legitimate music
services are first-choice for fans."
Patrick Vien, Chairman and CEO, Warner Music International
"We are encouraged by the growth of online and mobile music sales, as well as by our success in developing a variety of new business models,
including ad supported video distribution on the internet. As our physical revenues continue to decline, we need to proactively continue to build
digital growth and identify new digital opportunities that further extend the reach of our artists."
Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business, SONY BMG Music Entertainment
"2006 was an enormous year for Universal Music internationally and, therefore, the industry. We saw huge growth in all our digital businesses,
spurred by a wide range of partnerships. Universal Music will also continue to deliver when it comes to signing and breaking the best artists. Just as
importantly, don't forget the consumers. Ignore them at your peril, as the future of music lies in their hands!"
Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive, Universal Music Group International
"In this internet age, the consumer is using music content more than ever before - whether that's playlisting, podcasting, personalising, sharing,
downloading or just simply enjoying it. The digital revolution has caused a complete change to the culture, operations and attitude of music companies
everywhere. It hasn't been easy, and we must certainly continue to fight piracy in all its forms. But there can be no doubt that with even greater
commitment to innovation, and a true focus on the consumer, digital distribution is becoming the best thing that ever happened to the music business
and the music fan."
Eric Nicoli, CEO, EMI Group
"We see the trend in the player market moving away from single purpose devices towards multipurpose, and more importantly, connected devices. This
trend will enable hundreds of millions of people to have their music collections with them, as well as to download and enjoy digital music on their
mobile device. Nokia's leadership in this area means we can offer a compelling mobile music experience combining devices, content and
connectivity."
Ed Averdieck, Managing Director, Nokia Music Service
"We need to legitimise consumer behaviour without asking them to change their usage habits. Advertising funded services offer such a solution. But
to succeed they need support from content owners, advertisers and the financial community, as well as a critical mass of users. SpiralFrog was set up
from the start to address these criteria."
Robin Kent, CEO, SpiralFrog
"Music subscription services have experienced tremendous growth, but are constrained by closed hardware and the absence of a healthy compatible
device market. Over the next few years, subscription services will go from a very small market in portable devices to having the ability to attach to
hundreds of millions of cell phones. 2007 will mark the beginning of this transformation."
Chris Gorog, CEO, Napster
"The success of eMusic in Europe and around the world shows that consumers are eager for a digital music service that focuses on music beyond the
commercial mainstream. By offering customers well-priced, expertly curated adventurous music that they can own in the universally compatible MP3
format, we've shown you can sell a lot of it. This combination has helped eMusic become the world's number two digital music service and sell more than
100 million downloads in three years."
David Pakman, President and CEO, eMusic
"Zune is delivering innovative ways for consumers to discover new music and connect with others through social experiences enabled by its wireless
sharing capabilities. Innovation is key - whether it's how we work with artists, new technology features or giving consumers the all-you-can-eat
ZunePass subscription, we are focused on changing the game."
Bryan Lee, Corporate Vice President of Entertainment Business, Microsoft
"It's hard enough for artists and labels to handle traditional distribution without support. Add more than 10 times the content online, hundreds of
digital music services, a dozen different business models, complex accounting systems, new ways of marketing and promotion and you realize quickly that
you need more sophisticated and skilled partners on your team."
Scott Cohen, Founder, The Orchard
"The past year has seen iTunes forge strong marketing partnerships with major brands, such as Starbucks in the US and Coke in the UK and Germany,
and with the addition of blockbuster movies and TV shows, Apple is continuing to raise the profile of legal downloading and the value proposition of
the iTunes Store worldwide."
Eddy Cue, Apple's Vice-President of iTunes
"If we in the EU are going to turn Europe into the leading knowledge-based society, then we have to ensure that our young people are both
technologically savvy and aware of the basic tenets of intellectual property which protects creative content."
Erika Mann, MEP and Chair of the European Internet Foundation
"What reassures me for the future is to see the strength, calm and determination with which the labels and record companies are dealing with the
issues they're facing. New economic models are developed, contracts are adapted, while commercial and marketing operations are transformed. What
energy!"
Gilles Bressand, CEO, XIII Bis Records