Webnoize '98 Probes Music Industry Revenue Models for the Future

Business Wire, Oct 26, 1998

STONEHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--

Three-Day Event To Focus on Music's Convergence with

Entertainment and New Media Industries

Webnoize (http://www.webnoize.com), the leading authority on the online music industry, will investigate new trends in commerce through a variety of panel discussions scheduled at Webnoize '98, the upcoming music and new media conference, being held next week, November 2-4, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles (http://98.webnoize.com).

The Internet's impact on the music business has spawned a whole new form of competition among industry entities: who gets to form a relationship with the consumer? How is selling an online experience different from selling ownership of a product? At least three panels at Webnoize '98 will tackle these questions head on, as top-level music industry executives come face-to-face with the industry's future:

"Promotion, Performance or Purchasing?"

While these were once very different agenda items for music companies, emerging technologies and the Internet have up-ended the industry's age-old model for courting music fans. Now, established power structures are working not just to hold on to marketshare, but to take on the fulfillment roles traditionally reserved for retailers and audience aggregating roles traditionally reserved for entertainment media.

"Anyone's MTV?"

While MTV continues to mix non-music programming into its schedule, indie and major music companies envision their own online music networks, music television models that mimic the traditional media outlets that once served to promote record sales. Are labels truly qualified to execute crucial media strategies? Who is better positioned to sustain a relationship with music fans? How is music's growing role as a cross-market promotional vehicle and value-added service affecting media outlets and record companies?

"Reinventing Radio"

As the beneficiary of recent, unprecedented consolidation and a booming economy, radio has enjoyed record-breaking profits and remarkable growth. Still, the Internet is casting a long shadow on these high times. How are Internet-only broadcasters advancing new business models? How could evolving copyright laws make trouble for these new pioneers?

Over 100 industry leaders are confirmed to speak at Webnoize '98, with top executives from Universal Music Group, Warner Bros., SonicNet, MTV, ARTISTdirect/UBL, Liquid Audio, House of Blues, LAUNCH Media, JAMtv, Music Boulevard, NetRadio, Broadcast.com, IUMA, Imagine Radio, Rykodisc, Spinner.com and others providing insight on these specific topics. Keynoting the conference are MTV/M2 President Judy McGrath, RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser, broadcast.com President Mark Cuban and E! Entertainment Televisions President/CEO Lee Masters.

About Webnoize '98

Webnoize '98 features a complete three-day agenda along with two days of exhibiting. The event is sponsored by RealNetworks (http://www.real.com/), Arts Alliance (http://www.artsalliance.co.uk/), Liquid Audio (http://www.liquidaudio.com/), SonicNet (http://www.sonicnet.com/), GEO Interactive (http://www.emblaze.com/), a2b music (http://www.a2bmusic.com/), N2K/Music Boulevard (http://www.musicblvd.com/), IUMA (http://www.iuma.com/) and other leaders of the online music and new media space.

To register for Webnoize '98, visit the conference web site at http://98.webnoize.com. Email inquiries can be sent to 98@webnoize.com, or ask to speak to a Webnoize '98 conference coordinator by calling Digital Music Network at (781) 279-2895. Media interested in covering the event can apply for press passes at: http://98.webnoize.com/registration/press.html

About Webnoize

Webnoize '98 mirrors the editorial mission of online media venture Webnoize (http://www.webnoize.com/), the unequivocal authority on music and new media. Focused exclusively on the music industry's relationship with the Web, new media, cross-markets and emerging technology, Webnoize provides daily news, in-depth market reports and invaluable context about the digital music revolution. Webnoize reaches 60,000 readers representing leaders across the music, technology and new media industries. Webnoize and Webnoize '98 are properties of Digital Music Network, Inc. (DMN), a leading member of the Web's music community since 1994.