OK, so the best that Apple management can bring to this deal is a higher tolerance for risk? I would say that successful risk-taking involves knowledgeable consideration and calculation of all the factors that impact your business. I would say Apple is totally unqualified to do that in the music biz.
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Apple To Buy Vivendi's Music Division For $6 Billion
- Thread starter AlejandroGonzo
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GO Tommy Motolla
If this Rumor happens to come to life then Apple should Hire former Sony/ Columbia Records CEO Tommy Motolla since he is pretty much a Free Agent now , think about it Tommy has over 13yrs in the business as a Proven CEO , let's face it Steve Jobs is a brillant mind but he knows crap about running a record company and that takes a certain kind of person , a cut throat of some sort inorder to prosper in the Shady(not shady as in Eminem) Music Industry , so while Tommy Runs the music division Jobs can keep focus on whats important and that's Apple Computers . Jobs can rest easy knowing that the company is in good hands. Jobs should really make this move trust me as smart as he is, he does not want to deal with the Million and One Bullsh*t Artist music Executives All alone. This is Just Food for thought you do this dishes.
If this Rumor happens to come to life then Apple should Hire former Sony/ Columbia Records CEO Tommy Motolla since he is pretty much a Free Agent now , think about it Tommy has over 13yrs in the business as a Proven CEO , let's face it Steve Jobs is a brillant mind but he knows crap about running a record company and that takes a certain kind of person , a cut throat of some sort inorder to prosper in the Shady(not shady as in Eminem) Music Industry , so while Tommy Runs the music division Jobs can keep focus on whats important and that's Apple Computers . Jobs can rest easy knowing that the company is in good hands. Jobs should really make this move trust me as smart as he is, he does not want to deal with the Million and One Bullsh*t Artist music Executives All alone. This is Just Food for thought you do this dishes.
Because paying for it, legally, keeps you from being a total scumbag freeloader. Some people like not being slime. We're funny that way. Rumor has it we also pay for the software that we use. Imagine that.
I do not for one instant understand the mentality that makes stealing something electronically "ok" with people who would not DREAM of shoplifting or robbing a liquor store...
The number of people that clearly DO feel it is ok to steal music makes me wonder if Apple will be able to make money with a music service. As Steve Jobs said, piracy is not a technology problem, but a behavioral problem... and the moral bankruptcy of the people out there concerns me more every time I see a post like this.
Well said Mr Gopher.
I read these forums daily and am amazed by the number of people (and I use the term very loosley) who seem to think it's perfectly acceptable to steal other peoples work and then have the gall to suggest that it's ok, everyone should just carry on doing it. Slime indeed.
Bring on the Apple dl system, some of us really do have morals.
Amen! If it was just those parasites, and no one actually bought music, not only would the parasites not have music, but there would be no music to steal, because no one would be left to produce it. And if DRM happens, it'll be the fault of the bastards who steal music.
because people who paid for their music will not share it with slime, so you supply of free sh#te will slowly but surely dry up.
Apple Wants Vivendi to Dance
I just read this article on Forbes.com. Here's the link:
http://www.forbes.com/home/2003/04/11/cx_ah_cz_pk_0411applev.html
Squire
---------------------------------------------------
Some highlights:
Apple Wants Vivendi To Dance
Arik Hesseldahl and Peter Kafka, 04.11.03, 3:00 PM ET
* Sources familiar with negotiations say Apple is close to finalizing a deal with Sony to sell the company's digital music catalog on its new digital music service.
* People who have seen the service say it will let Apple users buy individual songs for 99 cents apiece, which they can burn to compact discs or port into the company's trendy iPod music players.
* One possible stumbling block for Jobs is that, like all other digital music services to date, Apple still wouldn't be able to offer every song that music fans might want--including those by the Beatles. A handful of prominent artists, such as Madonna, still won't let their music be sold online.
Irving Azoff, manager of the Eagles, says he likes the Apple service, but he won't consent to selling the band's music on it unless they get a higher royalty rate than the one Apple has promised. "I looked at it and I loved it," he says of the service. "I'm just waiting for a deal that makes sense for us."
* Apple could be wading into the market for downloadable music at just the right moment. Consumer surveys conducted by Ipsos-Insight, a New York-based consumer research firm, found that at least 19% of the U.S. population aged 12 and up--or about 60 million people--has downloaded music from some kind of music file-sharing service, be it legal or not.
I just read this article on Forbes.com. Here's the link:
http://www.forbes.com/home/2003/04/11/cx_ah_cz_pk_0411applev.html
Squire
---------------------------------------------------
Some highlights:
Apple Wants Vivendi To Dance
Arik Hesseldahl and Peter Kafka, 04.11.03, 3:00 PM ET
* Sources familiar with negotiations say Apple is close to finalizing a deal with Sony to sell the company's digital music catalog on its new digital music service.
* People who have seen the service say it will let Apple users buy individual songs for 99 cents apiece, which they can burn to compact discs or port into the company's trendy iPod music players.
* One possible stumbling block for Jobs is that, like all other digital music services to date, Apple still wouldn't be able to offer every song that music fans might want--including those by the Beatles. A handful of prominent artists, such as Madonna, still won't let their music be sold online.
Irving Azoff, manager of the Eagles, says he likes the Apple service, but he won't consent to selling the band's music on it unless they get a higher royalty rate than the one Apple has promised. "I looked at it and I loved it," he says of the service. "I'm just waiting for a deal that makes sense for us."
* Apple could be wading into the market for downloadable music at just the right moment. Consumer surveys conducted by Ipsos-Insight, a New York-based consumer research firm, found that at least 19% of the U.S. population aged 12 and up--or about 60 million people--has downloaded music from some kind of music file-sharing service, be it legal or not.
MacWhispers Article
I just found this post at MacWhispers. I know it's MacWhispers, and I know that very few of you like the purported scumbag that runs the site, but I still thought it was worth posting. The piece says that the two companies were in talks, but the stock dip on Thursday pushed any of those talks out of the picture. Here's the link.
I just found this post at MacWhispers. I know it's MacWhispers, and I know that very few of you like the purported scumbag that runs the site, but I still thought it was worth posting. The piece says that the two companies were in talks, but the stock dip on Thursday pushed any of those talks out of the picture. Here's the link.
Vivendi was looking for cash to pay down its debt. Apple would have already got some backing for it, that would not be dependant on its share price.
if this goes through, then they should issue ID cards with the purchase of a mac, or maybe add it to your drivers license or something that you own a mac and whenever you purchase a cd by universial (apple) you should get a discount, you know how aweomse that would be? talk about an incentive!
MS and Vivendi?
Looks like Apple isn't the only company interested in purchasing the music group.
---------
WSJ: Microsoft Courted by Vivendi to Buy Music Unit
Mon Apr 14,11:46 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) is among companies approached by Vivendi Universal Music Group(NYSE:V - news)(EAUG.PA) executives in their bid to find buyers for the unit, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The report comes a day after a Paris-based source told Reuters that talks between Vivendi Universal and Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL - news) had entered a crucial phase which could make or brake a deal for the world's largest record company.
The Reuters source played down speculation the sale of Universal Music to the firm run by California computer guru Steve Jobs (news - web sites) -- for up to $6 billion as first reported by the Los Angeles Times on Friday -- was a done deal.
On Monday, citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal said Universal Music bosses, including Chairman Doug Morris and Interscope Geffen A&M label chief Jimmy Iovine, had put out feelers for possible buyers or investors, but they now appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
Approaches to Microsoft were in the hope of finding a friendly investor to take over Universal Music, perhaps as part of a management-led buyout, the Journal reported.
Apple and Microsoft officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment early on Monday, and a Vivendi official in Paris declined comment.
The Journal said people close to Jobs insisted he was only interested in accessing music for Apple's new service, not in buying a record company. Universal's roster includes Eminem (news - web sites), U2, and Shania Twain.
Apple was aided by investment bank Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MWD - news) in early talks, and Jobs is believed to have spoken at least once by phone with Vivendi Chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou about the idea, the Journal added.
Separately, the Journal reported that Apple would be launching its own music service in coming weeks, with songs from all five major record labels.
Citing people with knowledge of the matter, the newspaper said the service was more consumer-friendly than most other legitimate online-music services, with a simplicity that makes it easy for consumers to purchase a song and move it to the popular Apple iPod devices.
Even so, it will only be available to Mac users, who comprise only about five percent of the global market. Currently, most other online music services -- including the record-label backed services pressplay and MusicNet, as well as closely held Listen.com Inc.'s Rhapsody service -- do not support Apple's Macintosh (news - web sites) software.
Looks like Apple isn't the only company interested in purchasing the music group.
---------
WSJ: Microsoft Courted by Vivendi to Buy Music Unit
Mon Apr 14,11:46 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) is among companies approached by Vivendi Universal Music Group(NYSE:V - news)(EAUG.PA) executives in their bid to find buyers for the unit, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The report comes a day after a Paris-based source told Reuters that talks between Vivendi Universal and Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL - news) had entered a crucial phase which could make or brake a deal for the world's largest record company.
The Reuters source played down speculation the sale of Universal Music to the firm run by California computer guru Steve Jobs (news - web sites) -- for up to $6 billion as first reported by the Los Angeles Times on Friday -- was a done deal.
On Monday, citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal said Universal Music bosses, including Chairman Doug Morris and Interscope Geffen A&M label chief Jimmy Iovine, had put out feelers for possible buyers or investors, but they now appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
Approaches to Microsoft were in the hope of finding a friendly investor to take over Universal Music, perhaps as part of a management-led buyout, the Journal reported.
Apple and Microsoft officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment early on Monday, and a Vivendi official in Paris declined comment.
The Journal said people close to Jobs insisted he was only interested in accessing music for Apple's new service, not in buying a record company. Universal's roster includes Eminem (news - web sites), U2, and Shania Twain.
Apple was aided by investment bank Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MWD - news) in early talks, and Jobs is believed to have spoken at least once by phone with Vivendi Chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou about the idea, the Journal added.
Separately, the Journal reported that Apple would be launching its own music service in coming weeks, with songs from all five major record labels.
Citing people with knowledge of the matter, the newspaper said the service was more consumer-friendly than most other legitimate online-music services, with a simplicity that makes it easy for consumers to purchase a song and move it to the popular Apple iPod devices.
Even so, it will only be available to Mac users, who comprise only about five percent of the global market. Currently, most other online music services -- including the record-label backed services pressplay and MusicNet, as well as closely held Listen.com Inc.'s Rhapsody service -- do not support Apple's Macintosh (news - web sites) software.
I found this article today. http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/RTGAM/20030414/wbmath0414
I thought it might be of interest.
I thought it might be of interest.
Could be...
Well, I'm not sure about this whole Universal thing. It has it's serious risks, BUT, then again, Apple has always had a reputation for creative thinking. That is JUST what the music industry needs... a good revamp and a kick in the ass! I'm confident Apple has some sort of plan up its sleeve. Plus... with the music industry's profits and stocks at a low, wouldn't that be the time to buy?
As far as Logic taking over in studios... this I disagree with. You will definitely see an raise in use in the home project studio, which may prompt Digidesign to start focusing more on its "prosumer" LE systems (001, 002). But even in a lot of good home studios running cubase or Logic, there is a protools program running even if it's just for editing and vocal tracking. Protools just has too much of a stake in world class and other large facilities. It is still the best editing platform (despite its lack of midi integration), and still the most technically accurate, user friendly, and compatible system. Not to mention the appeal of its shear expense! Hey, the labels are handing out large sums of THEIR OWN money to artists to record... They would rather see most of it spend on the recording of their product then spent on fancy cars. Remember, the label has to approve the studio, and the purchases of an artist with advance money.
As far as speeding up Protools on macs... well, with the release of version 6 which now runs on OS X, we will definitely see that. Not to mention way more reliability.
Anyhow, just my two cents. I apologize if this post got mildly off-topic
.
G
Well, I'm not sure about this whole Universal thing. It has it's serious risks, BUT, then again, Apple has always had a reputation for creative thinking. That is JUST what the music industry needs... a good revamp and a kick in the ass! I'm confident Apple has some sort of plan up its sleeve. Plus... with the music industry's profits and stocks at a low, wouldn't that be the time to buy?
As far as Logic taking over in studios... this I disagree with. You will definitely see an raise in use in the home project studio, which may prompt Digidesign to start focusing more on its "prosumer" LE systems (001, 002). But even in a lot of good home studios running cubase or Logic, there is a protools program running even if it's just for editing and vocal tracking. Protools just has too much of a stake in world class and other large facilities. It is still the best editing platform (despite its lack of midi integration), and still the most technically accurate, user friendly, and compatible system. Not to mention the appeal of its shear expense! Hey, the labels are handing out large sums of THEIR OWN money to artists to record... They would rather see most of it spend on the recording of their product then spent on fancy cars. Remember, the label has to approve the studio, and the purchases of an artist with advance money.
As far as speeding up Protools on macs... well, with the release of version 6 which now runs on OS X, we will definitely see that. Not to mention way more reliability.
Anyhow, just my two cents. I apologize if this post got mildly off-topic
.G
what I'd like to see
Sorry, one more quick thing...
I think it'd be nice to see Apple use its funds for more marketing and awareness of Apple computers. Apple can only grow with new users. They have the most incredible OS ever, but only 5% of people know that! Most people I expose to my mac for the first time are reluctant, but then are genuinely hooked! If Apple could get more people using these things, and pumping the fact that you can now almost do anything on it that you can do on a PC (but better), then there would be more users, which means more supposrt from third parties. Logical I think.
However, maybe that's what this whole Universal thing is about on some larger scale.
G
Sorry, one more quick thing...
I think it'd be nice to see Apple use its funds for more marketing and awareness of Apple computers. Apple can only grow with new users. They have the most incredible OS ever, but only 5% of people know that! Most people I expose to my mac for the first time are reluctant, but then are genuinely hooked! If Apple could get more people using these things, and pumping the fact that you can now almost do anything on it that you can do on a PC (but better), then there would be more users, which means more supposrt from third parties. Logical I think
. However, maybe that's what this whole Universal thing is about on some larger scale.
G
this just in...
from macminute:
Apple: never made offer to acquire music company
April 16 - 14:23 EDT "Apple has never made any offer to invest in or acquire a major music company. The press statements this morning attributed to Vivendi board member Claude Bebear are untrue, as Mr. Bebear has confirmed in a later report," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a statement today. "Beyond these comments, we will abide by Apple's policy of not commenting on rumors."
from macminute:
Apple: never made offer to acquire music company
April 16 - 14:23 EDT "Apple has never made any offer to invest in or acquire a major music company. The press statements this morning attributed to Vivendi board member Claude Bebear are untrue, as Mr. Bebear has confirmed in a later report," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a statement today. "Beyond these comments, we will abide by Apple's policy of not commenting on rumors."