Rockbites: World’s largest label assimilates MP3.com

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May 2001 • Rockbites Alternative Daily

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World’s largest label assimilates MP3.com
25 May 2001

Universal Music Group, one of the so-called 'big 5' record companies, owns Polygram, Geffen, A&M, Island, Motown, Mercury, and many other labels. Late last year Universal, at the time a subsidiary of Seagram, was acquired by French conglomerate Vivendi—a company with well over a quarter of a million employees and more than US$39 billion in sales for 2000. The new media megalith calls itself Vivendi Universal.
    MP3.com has been one of the shining stars of DIY music marketing, an anti-label which allowed musicians to promote themselves and interact directly with fans. As many as 150,000 independent artists are registered with MP3.com and promote or sell their music through the site.
    This past Sunday MP3.com announced it had been acquired by Vivendi for $372 million, or $5 per share. In their FAQ list posted following the announcement, MP3.com writes “We will continue with our current MP3.com pursuits, but also work with our new partners to innovate subscription systems and music offerings that reach a global audience across many devices. We believe consumers will see the full promise of digital music. Artists and consumers are the winners in this partnership.”
    The parent company, which recently partnered with Sony for an online music subscription service they call Duet, said on Monday “Vivendi Universal’s online music distribution capabilities will be enhanced by the MP3.com acquisition. The total aggregate audience for MP3.com, GetMusic, FarmClub and EMusic represents close to 40 million registered users, with approximately 120 million monthly page views.” article from The Standard Vivendi Universal press release | Vivendi | | MP3.com | | Universal Music Group | | acquisition FAQ list | | top of page |

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