Date:Mon, 22 May 2006 10:23:14 -0700
Reply-To:Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:Lou Judson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:Fwd: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings marketing deal
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Found on a folk music list:
This just in (Wall Street Journal for May 22, page B1):
"Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the non-profit record label of the
Smithsonian Institution, has reached a deal to market all of its vast
and eclectic library on Internet services like Apple Computer Inc.'s
iTunes Music Store... [with] The Orchard--owned by Dimensional
Associates Inc., the private equity arm of hedge fund JDS Capital
Management, Inc." [I *told* you this was from the Wall Street
Journal!)
"... Beyond the frogs [a cell-phone ring-tone venture that the article
describes earlier], the Orchard has mapped out two years' worth of
promotions--many of them more in line with Folkways' staid image--for
the catalog's holdings"
"... In 2005, Folkways launched its own downloading site,
SmithsonianGlobalsound.org [see also www.folkways.si.edu], and saw its
revenue increase 24%, to nearly $3 million."
"... The Smithsonian Institution acquired the label from [Moses] Asch's
estate in 1987, on the condition that every single title be kept in
print. The Smithsonian has since added collections and signed new
artists...."