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The article discusses how a desire to contribute to the green movement by supporting environmentally friendly compact disc (CD) packaging at record labels has been hampered by a weak economy. Major record labels say progress on offering more sustainable packaging has remained flat due to financial concerns. Problems related to making eco-friendly CD packages compatible with automated distribution systems and machinery designed for plastic jewel cases are discussed.

The author discusses how the music industry is making efforts to be more environmentally conscious. The author recounts how the Red hot Chili Peppers told their record company, Warner Music Group, that they wanted to make sure that the paper used in their compact disc packaging was eco-friendly. According to the author other musicians and record companies have launched similar initiatives.

A white paper from "Billboard" magazine's 2012 FutureSound Conference is presented on the economic aspects of digital music sales and music marketing on the Internet. Advice for musicians to find new fans is presented, such as completing a band profile on the social media website Facebook, creating a band website, and offering free information to encourage interest. Conference attendants such as Tim Quirk from Google Music and Fred Wilson from Union Square Ventures are quoted. INSETS: Discovery Channel;Friending The Band.

Examines strategies for video catalog houses and use of the Internet as a retail outlet. Difficulties for direct-mailers, including lower price points in supermarkets and mass merchant stores and the rising costs of paper and postage; Comments from Nancy Hamlin of Critics' Choice Video in Chicago, Illinois, on the changing market place; The strategic position of offering hard-to-find titles; The price protection of niches; The need for innovative and affordable ways to promote titles.

The development of music publishing royalties accounting systems such as the Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) RoyaltyWindow software that communicates royalties transparently. The financial aspects of investment in royalties administration are described in terms of the increased efficiency of royalty processing. The competition of royalties by the development of online music sales tools such as subscription services is explored. INSET: Q&A.

Presents news briefs concerning the music retail trade for the week ending June 28, 1997. The article in the June 16 `New York Times' about Alliance Entertainment being on the verge of Chapter 11; How the Musicland Group is faring; The possibility of WH Smith merging with a music retailer.

Reports on the success of the audiobook industry in Great Britain. Sales and distribution agreement between PolyGram Records and Reed Consumer Books; Titles from BBC; Pickwick's audiobooks; Radio-active origins; Factors contributing to the expansion of the audiobook market.

This article discusses the automation of the administrative reporting systems in the sound recording industry. This development is described as part of an effort to cut costs led record labels facing declining sales of musical recordings. The digitization of communications relating to publishing royalties and new musical releases for radio airplay is noted.

The article focuses on music industry financier Robert F. X. Sillerman and his company SFX Entertainment. The company's role in the underground electronic dance music (EDM) segment of the industry is discussed, particularly acquisitions of firms in that sector by SFX. A planned initial public stock offering of SFX in 2013 is considered.

This article focuses on the summer 2008 touring season for musical concerts. The industry hopes to increase attendance from decreases in 2007. Summer brings 70% of tours and 2008 showcases bands and singers such as Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, the Eagles, and Coldplay. Despite the economy, the talent within the lineup should help reverse the losses in 2007.

Discusses the concerns of music merchandisers in relation to the suggested subscription-model prices being mentioned by Napster. How Napster, an Internet music-swapping company, plans to offer its services for a subscription fee; Description of the concerns of music retailers, who believe the prices suggested would undercut the price of music in retail stores.

The article discusses the concert touring market in Australia, and debates whether oversaturation could impact concert promoters after 2012. Australian music festivals and cooperation between Asia and Australia for the music touring circuit are discussed, as well as the economic effects of a music arena in Perth, Western Australia.

The article discusses the band Dispatch. According to the article, the music file-sharing website Napster helped Dispatch achieve distribution and exposure without traditional industry representation. Topics include destination concerts in Boston, Massachusetts, band member Pete Francis, and ticket sales. The bands Phish and The Grateful Dead are mentioned.

The article reports that Pindoff Entertainment Group, the parent company of the now-defunct Canadian sound recording store chain Music World, plans to distribute sound recordings through "nontraditional" markets such as Canadian Tire, Toys "R" Us, and other non-music oriented stores based in shopping malls.

Discusses the contrast between enthusiastic growth of the music industry in electronic commerce, and lack thereof in the video industry. How many companies offer limited services online, but have no online stores; Issues hindering development of studio-driven websites; Dearth of online purchasing options for Blockbuster's website; Other video-related news.

Looks at home video products during the Thanksgiving break in 1997. The interest in pre-recorded cassettes, such as `Men in Black,' from Columbia TriStar; The first holiday shopping season for digital video discs (DVD); Comments about DVD from Steve Scavelli of Flash Distributors of New York; Information about DVD sales at Tower Video.

Analyzes the impact on the record industry of the stock market's manic behavior in the United States in October 1997. Music and entertainment stocks, faring better than many others; The European opinion on market activity; Concerns about consumer confidence and lower sales; Reports from retailers; Details concerning specific markets in Europe, Australia, and Asia; Comments.

The author comments on the issue of U.S. state governments putting regulations on how record stores buyback used compact discs. The author asserts that used compact disc buyback regulations have become so burdensome to record stores that some have stopped the service. It is the author's belief that the regulations due not deter people from stealing compact discs, and only hurts the consumer.

The article presents several content categories that record labels see as driving mobile music applications in the coming years. The categories include personalization (ringtones and graphics), consumption (full-song downloads and mobile ticketing), and community (mobile games, messaging, and photo/video sharing). The percentage of mobile device users that utilize each are also presented.

The article reports that Live Nation, the world's largest promoter and concert venue operator, is selling four of its amplitheaters around the United States. The company maintains that it is selling the property due to escalating real-estate values, not because the concert business is not doing well. The article discusses the four sites in Indiana, California, Tennessee, and Ohio that are up for sale.

Reports on the financial problems of webcast companies. BroadcastAmerica.com, which will decide between Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy while attempting to survive; Problems with the company, including large amounts of debt; Attempted acquisitions by SurferNetwork.com, including BroadcastAmerica and GlobalMedia.com.

Reports on the development of World Wide Web sites exclusively for use by members of the music industry. Sites as set up by Capitol Records and Sony Music; The sites as replacements for press release mailings and cost reductions on mailings; Comments by Cary Stegall of Sony Music Distribution and Liz Heller of Capitol.