No doubt, some days working as an exec in RIAA-land must feel like some bizzare Gattica themed dystopia in which everything is rigged against you. When people like former Clash manager Peter Jenner are making public statements declaring the end of your reign as king, it's normal for an institution to become radically paranoid. In an interview with The Guardian Unlimited, Jenner says, "Rapid, consistent and complex change has enveloped the global music industry...the era of mass markets turning into an era of masses of niche markets is very real and exciting, with huge implications for the structures of the industry[...]labels could be forced to give up much of their control. The current record company model might well morph into that of venture capitalist licensors, working in partnership with artists to develop their businesses."
For only thirty thousand dollars a month (That's just one thousand per day), you can help give down and out industry executives the chance to have that much needed eyelift, buy their teenage children high-end luxury automobiles or spend weeks in the French Riviera. Each month you'll receive a letter from your industry executive, detailing his or her progress and exactly how your money has helped them maintain their lifestyle. Won't you dig deep to help a C-level exec down on their luck?
[Guardian Unlimited via Hypebot]













1. I'm not sure this is what Jenner is trying to say. What I would envision is people who know the music industry (especially as it's changed) inside and out can help bands that they like market themselves. It could look like artists like Beck or producers like Brian Eno, who have done an excellent job navigating the changing music world, reaching out to younger artists to help them by sharing experiences. Sure, the experienced guy is going to take a cut - but in the long run, everyone wins. At least, that's how successful VC's work.
Posted at 5:27PM on Sep 25th 2006 by Tony Leach