Nielsen Spins Off “Billboard,” “Hollywood Reporter”

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bbThe Nielsen Company is selling eight publications, including Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, to e5 Global Media LLC, a new company formed by Pluribus Capital Management and Guggenheim Partners.

Pluribus was founded earlier this year by James A. Finkelstein, George Green, and Matthew Doull. Former Bear Stearns head Alan Schwartz is running Guggenheim, a privately held, diversified financial services firm with more than $100 billion in assets.

Other brands included in the sale worth an estimated $70 million are: Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, The Clio Awards, Backstage, Film Journal International and the Film Expo trade show business. Among the titles closing will be Editor & Publisher, which has chronicled the newspaper business for 108 years. Management of the acquired brands and their staff members will begin to transition immediately.

hr Nielsen, which quietly shopped the trades around for the latter half of 2009, has suffered with the overall media downturn, driven largely by declining ad sales. Greg Farrar, President of Nielsen Business Media, explained, “Divesting these titles allows Nielsen to focus its investment on its core businesses and those parts of our portfolio that have the greatest potential for growth, including our leading trade show group.” Nielsen also produces the SoundScan music sales charts.

Finkelstein, who will become Chairman of e5 Global Media, and Todd Boehly, Managing Partner in the Office of the CEO at Guggenheim Partners, commented, “These are unique brands that are already leaders in their respective fields and, with the additional financial and strategic resources that we will provide, they will be positioned to add enhanced content across their print, online and new media channels and to continue to deliver value to their subscribers and advertisers.”

The acquisition, which is subject to normal terms and conditions, is scheduled to close by December 31, 2009. At the conclusion of the transaction, the group’s U.S.-based publications will continue do business from their current locations at 770 Broadway in New York and at 5055 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.

“Time” Readies Tablet Prototype [video]

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The news media, including newspapers, magazines and more is going through a time of intense change, much like the music industry. Time has proactively been developing a new interactive distribution prototype that seemingly is being groomed for a new touch screen tablet class of hardware. To date unconfirmed rumors have been flying that Apple is planning to release a similar gadget early next year.

Reports indicate that publishers are concerned they might end up with an iTunes like situation and thereby lose control of distribution. Shown below is a Sports Illustrated sample…

Country On Oprah’s Christmas Show Today

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tim

Tim McGraw on Oprah. Photo: Oprah.com

Sugarland and Tim McGraw are among the superstars set for Oprah’s Holiday Music Extravaganza, airing today Monday, November 30. The episode focuses on duets, pairing Sugarland with Oscar winning actress, Jennifer Hudson for a Christmas standard. Sugarland is promoting their new holiday album Gold And Green. McGraw will sing the John Lennon classic “Happy Christmas” alongside R&B star Alicia Keys. Also performing are Andrea Bocelli, Mary J. Blige and David Foster.

Susan Boyle Sales Boiling

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BoyleThanksgiving record sales are primed to set some records this year. British Idol sensation Susan Boyle, based upon early results for the week is expected to sell from 625-675k units for the week ended 11/29 according to Hits Daily Double advance estimates. This would place I Dreamed A Dream as the largest first week debut of the year, besting Eminem’s Relapse which scanned 608k in its first week earlier this year.

American Idol runner up, Adam Lambert’s CD also debuted this past week and is set to move between 210-230k units to take the No. 2 spot overall. Other expectations include Carrie Underwood moving 100-120k units (a nice jump from last week’s 86k), Taylor Swift, Fearless at 85-100k and Swift’s Holiday Collection moving 75-90k (strong move from last week’s 45k units). Casting Crowns hit the chart last week (11/22) with over 167k units and is expected to scan 75-90k this week.

As usual, the Nielsen SoundScan results will be released Wed. 12/2, and we can then view exact numbers and rank the accuracy of the HDD crystal ball.

FlySongs Forms To Connect Songs With Film/TV

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Sandra Fox

Sandra Fox

FlySongs will specialize in the music of Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana and represent it to the film and television industry. The new company will actively seek to place compositions in movies, television specials, soundtracks, primetime and cable series, video releases, and commercials.

“We have spent our energies developing deep production and film industry contacts,” says company founder Sandra Fox. “We have established solid relationships in Hollywood, and in the national film community, and are using those connections to expand and enhance this music we love. There is a wealth of opportunity, but success demands immediate response. Filmmakers very often phone to say they need a specific type song for a project and, especially when dealing with television, they need it now! Our job is to quickly and expertly provide those songs.”

Fox spent over 25 years working in the publishing business including 15 years with MCA Nashville Publishing, plus time with EMI-Tower Street, Mercury Records, Big Picture Entertainment and others.

“I was fortunate to have been mentored by two of the best in the business, Gary Smith and Keith Stegall,” says Fox. “The next step for me was a logical one, to open my own company and to represent the best songs available. I was born in Louisiana, raised in Texas and learned about the music industry in Tennessee. That’s where FlySongs will look for the music we present to filmmakers.”

FlySongs will host a launch party on Thursday Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Nashville’s Blue Bar, 1911 Broadway. flysongs@yahoo.com

Ray Bruce To Sharp Objects

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ray_bruce

Ray Bruce

Nashville-based Sharp Objects, a song plugging and artist development company has added Ray Bruce to its marketing and promotions department. Bruce’s new title will be Creative Director/Special Projects Coordinator and he will report to company CEO Steven Sharp. Chief among Bruce’s new responsibilities will be to represent the Sharp Objects song catalog and secure cuts.

Bruce, an Atlanta native, has previously worked with Ashley Rivera, Georgia Entertainer of the Year, 3-time NACMA vocalist of the Year (’07, ’08 and ’09) and many other artists and songwriters. Most recently he plugged songs for Christian Contemporary writer Kris Miller. Bruce can be reached at slsharp10@hotmail.com or 615-320-1030.

Sharp Objects, now in its sixth year represents Michael Peterson, Randy Sharp, Maia Sharp, Jeff Silbar, Dave Stewart, Jan Buckingham, Jay Lazaroff, Kathy Fisher and Ron Wasserman. The office is located at 62 Music Square West, Nashville, TN.  www.sharpobject.com

Jimmy Wayne Webchat; Dolly Opens Nashville Store

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jimmy wayne albumwIt’s release day for Jimmy Wayne who is back with his Valory Music Co. album Sara Smile. To mark the occasion he’s hosting a live Ustream video chat with fans tonight beginning at 7 PM/CT which will include an acoustic set and will be accessible via his MySpace, Facebook and Twitter pages as well as the label’s site and Ustream.tv.

For Sara Smile, Wayne worked with hitmaking producers Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Faith Hill), Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood) and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift). Wayne’s remake of the Daryl Hall & John Oates pop classic is the centerpiece of the album and is doing well at radio. It follows his hit “Do You Believe Me Now” which soared to the top of the country charts, landing at No. 1 for three weeks.

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dollyDolly Parton is opening her first retail store in downtown Nashville this week. Starting tomorrow (11/24) fans can hit 2nd Ave. to shop for Dolly merch and music at Dolly Parton’s Trinkets & Treasures. There will be a listening post, apparel, jewelry and more.

The design and decor of Dolly Parton’s Trinkets & Treasures is inspired by Parton’s classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” with a mix of pink, yellow, red, blue, green and purple–both in the interior and exterior. Of course, Dolly music and videos will fill the space.

It is located at 126 2nd Ave North, Nashville, TN (next door to the Wildhorse Saloon). The store will celebrate its grand opening in Spring 2010 with a special event hosted by Parton.

Sony Adds Uhlir To Marketing Department

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Ray Uhlir

Ray Uhlir

Ray Uhlir joins Sony Music Nashville as Senior Director, Marketing and Artist Development, reporting directly to Marketing VP Tom Baldrica. Uhlir most recently served as VP of Brand Licensing for Gibson Guitar.

Baldrica, who made the announcement commented, “Ray is a marketing leader with proven experience and demonstrated marketing success. His tremendous skills and his unique perspective will be a great addition to our marketing department. I am so excited to have him join us.”

Uhlir, based in Nashville, and already on the job, can be reached at ray.uhlir@sonymusic.com or 615-301-4351.

Sony Nashville’s marketing department, was altered by last week’s retirement of Executive VP Butch Waugh. Also, Laura McKinley has assumed the position of Manager, Marketing and Artist Development for the group’s Arista and RCA imprints. In addition, Kerri Fox-Metoyer was recently named Sony VP Sales.

Lance Smith And CMT Part Ways

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lanceAfter more than eight years on CMT, host Lance Smith is leaving the network to focus on his acting career. Smith joined CMT in 2001 as the network’s first VJ and went on to host over 400 episodes of the CMT Top 20 Countdown. He has logged countless hours on camera and hosted dozens of different shows and specials.

“He leaves Top 20 at the height of its biggest ratings streak ever,” says CMT Pres. Brian Philips, “and his shoes will be hard to fill.”

“I’ll continue to pursue a place in front of a mic or camera, but it will be under a different set of lights,” explains Smith. “Once upon a time, before my decade long stint as a host, I was an actor and it’s time to wear that hat once again.
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He is currently working on an independent film being shot in the Nashville area, and will continue his hosting career while he pursues acting.

Smith and Big Kenny on a recent episode of CMT Top 20 Countdown. Photo: Ben Wilder

Smith and Big Kenny on a recent episode of "CMT Top 20 Countdown." Photo: Ben Wilder

Smith continues, “I will forever be grateful for every chance and opportunity given to me by CMT and Country Music. There’s not a better fan base in the world. But most of all I will miss the crews—my friends behind the scenes. It’s the show behind the curtain that I was most fortunate to see.”

“Growing up before our viewers’ eyes, Lance has developed remarkable versatility — sly humor, perfect timing, strong relationships with our stars, and the ability to gracefully handle everything we’ve thrown at him,” adds Philips. “We applaud his ambition, and look forward to the next great phase of Lance’s career. His extended family at CMT and MTV Networks thank him for his terrific run.”

Smith is represented by longtime manager Ken Madson of Full Scope Entertainment who can be reached by calling 615-329-4762 or via email at kenmadson@gmail.com.

Video Sites: Vevo Launching, Hulu Expanding

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Mvevousic video site Vevo has set a Dec. 8 launch date, while the already popular Hulu, which offers mostly films and TV shows, is gearing up to become a music destination.

huluVevo has Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group on board, with YouTube powering the back-end video technology. A launch party will be held in New York.

Hulu already shows some music videos, but a new agreement with EMI is the site’s first wide-ranging deal with a major label. Exclusive material from EMI’s Norah Jones will be the first content featured under the new arrangement.