Letter from the CEOWelcome to Partner Newsletter No 9.
Dear all,
It’s our 1st partner newsletter of ’08 and in a notable year, as Music Choice celebrates 15 years of delivering the world’s
greatest music to consumers in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Inside we review:
- 15 years of music Greats – their hits, their hiccups, etc
- The 25 greatest country albums from this booming genre in music
- News about our recent seasonal Karneval channel broadcast exclusively for our German language consumers
- A review of our upcoming ’08 consumer and affiliate marketing campaigns
First one goes live in March, so if you haven’t agreed participation details with Ellen, our Marketing Manager, please contact her as soon as you can
- A review of the recent British Music Awards Winners
We hope you find this 1st ’08 anniversary edition fun and informative. Thank you for your continued support and feedback. After 15 years, we remain passionate about making great music easy.
Margot Daly
15 years of the worlds best music!
It seems but a moment ago. The world hadn’t quite gone digital, but we all knew it was coming. So back in 1993, we created Music Choice and, with the help of our forward-thinking partners across Europe, established one of the most appealing and enduring music services.
The fledgling Music Choice quickly built a reputation for delivering high quality, innovative, music-only channels across all styles and genres; and we became a firm favourite with broadcasters and subscribers alike.
Over the past fifteen years Music Choice has kept faith with its promise to deliver the best music and nothing but the best music. All this time, we have remained as passionate as ever about making the greatest music both easy and fun.
Today, as new services come and go on web, MP3 and mobile, the Music Choice brand of music remains as popular as ever. We are now offering more channels in more countries to more subscribers than ever before.
And we have you and your subscribers to thank.
Music Choice has built its foundations upon your continued support and enthusiasm; and we have developed and improved Music Choice from your feedback, creating new channels and new visuals to make the Music Choice experience even better and even easier.
But even as the service continues to evolve, at heart nothing has changed. We simply love great music and love making great music easy.
‘93 – ‘08.
Looking back at 15 years of music; the mayhem, milestones and magic.
For our 15th Birthday, we asked our music experts to look back to 1993 the year that saw the launch of Music Choice, to compare and contrast the careers of some of our biggest names then and now. Do you remember in 1993 when, Shaggy, Queen, Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Meat Loaf and UB40 headed the charts ...along with Take That, Ace of Base, Gabrielle, the Bluebells and – lest we forget -- Chaka Demus and Pliers.
Fifteen years ago, these guys were at the top of the charts and looking as if they would be there forever. Where are they now? What have they been up to? And can you trust all the rumours?
Take That. In 1993, Take That celebrated four consecutive UK No.1 singles – Pray, Relight My Fire, Babe and Everything Changes. By the time the band released Sure in 1995, the future was far from certain. They split in 1996 and while we all know Robbie Williams became one of the biggest solos stars, Take That leader Gary Barlow’s solo career foundered completely. Ten years on and without Robbie, they were back, with the album Beautiful World (2006), a 49-show tour (2007) and now four coveted nominations for the 2008 Brit Awards.
Ace of Base. You’ve got to hand it to the Swedes. All that ice and snow makes them real survivors. Take Ace of Base. All That She Wants hit number 2 in the 1993 Billboard Hot 100, but by 2003 the band had disappeared without a trace after some disappointing chart performances. Come 2007 and (minus Malin Berggren), they’re warming up for a 2008 world tour, working on five remix albums, issuing a new version of their very first single and planning a new studio album.
UB40. Remember (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You? A gigantic hit across both Europe and the US in 1993, reggae lovers couldn’t help loving it. Even Ali Campbell’s departure in 2008 hasn’t dented the bands popularity, or their staying power. Now a new studio album (24/7) is on the brink of release, a UK tour starting any day and the re-issue of a special edition album (Dub Sessions) is to follow. A lifelong labour of love if we ever heard one!
Meat Loaf. OK, so you didn’t know he was a vegetarian in 1993. Today Marvin Lee Aday remains one of only two artists with an album that’s never left the charts. (See our trivia question below) Fifteen years ago I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) made it to the top, followed that December by the re-issue of Bat Out Of Hell. Sadly, due to health issues, Meatloaf had to call a halt to his 2007 European tour, but he says he’ll be back. Meanwhile, mournful fans can console themselves with the film documentary Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise scheduled for release this year.
Queen. Did they disband or didn’t they. Their last album, Made in Heaven, appeared in 1995, four years after the death of Freddie Mercury. But the succeeding years saw May and Taylor involved in a number of Aids fund-raising projects, followed by a new partnership and moniker – Queen + Paul Rogers. With a new album and a tour due this year, those of us who are fans can count on being rocked till they drop.
Are you a music expert: Can you name the other artist with an album that never left the charts (apart from Meat Loaf)? We will send the first two entries a compilation pack of the 15 Brit Awards winners of 08. For your chance to win, send your answer to elesemannandreadis@musicchoice.co.uk
Come home to ‘down home’ music
We have all heard jokes about country music over the years. It’s twee, it’s about fiddles and stand by your man, but today nothing could be further from the truth. Ask any Country fan today like Nicole Kidman or Joaquin Phoenix or Reese Witherspoon. Country music has moved out of the backwaters and into the mainstream.
For those of you who have missed Country music’s growth in popularity, we have made it easy for you to get up to speed and experience what all the excitement is about.
Below is our music experts’ recommendation for the best 25 Country music albums (in no particular order):
- O' Brother Where Art Thou?- Movie Soundtrack
- George Jones - 50 Years Of Hits
- Garth Brooks - The Ultimate Hits
- Will The Circle Be Unbroken - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends
- Steve Earle - Guitar Town
- Emmylou Harris - Anthology
- Common Thread - Songs of the Eagles - Various artists
- Wanted: The Outlaws" - Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter
- Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison
- Urban Cowboy - Film Soundtrack
- Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man
- Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces
- Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc.. Etc..
- Trio - Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris
- Alan Jackson - Don't Rock The Jukebox
- Keith Whitley - Don't Close Your Eyes
- Vince Gill - When I Call Your Name
- Keith Urban - Geatest Hits
- Shania Twain - Come On Over
- Alison Krauss - Now That I Found You: A Collection
- Coal Miner’s Daughter - Movie Soundtrack
- Johnny Cash - American V - A Hundred Highways
- Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger
- George Strait - Strait Out Of The Box
- Hank Williams Snr - The Ultimate Collection Regards
Once you have heard Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues and Garth Brooks’ The Thunder Rolls you will think again about Country music.
These artists and more can be found 24 hours a day seamlessly on the Music Choice Country channel.
The spirit of German KarnevalBetween 2nd January and 7th of February this year Music Choice broadcast a Karneval channel for the first time.
Created especially for our German consumers, the Music Choice seasonal Karneval channel encompasses the best music available in celebration of what is known in Germany as the ‘fifth season of the year’. Karneval actually begins in November in Germany, but the real celebration starts on the Thursday before Rosenmontag, ie Karneval Monday. As many of you may know, Cologne is the main city for these crazy days and encompasses great indoor and outdoor celebrations with pubs and bars staying open until morning. Music plays a major part in Karneval. In addition to the traditional German Karneval music, the Music Choice channel features the best World, Brazilian and Latin music from across the globe.
Sample tracks played on the Karneval channel included:
- Viva Colonia – De Höhner
- Mer Lasse De Dom In Kölle – Bläck Föös
- Superjeile Zick – Brings
- Wenn Et Trömmelche Jet – Die Flamingos
- Schau Mir In Die Augen – De Räuber
- Es War Einmal Ein Treuer Husar – Colonia Orchester
- Mir Sin Kölsche Mädcher – Et Fussich Julchen
- Da Steht Ein Pferd Auf Dem Flur – Klaus & Klaus
- Buenos Dias Mathias – Paveier
- Am Aschermittwoch Ist Alles Vorbei – Lotti Krekel
Music Choice will be launching other seasonal channels in 2008. If you would like to participate in these special event broadcasts, please contact us for more details.
’08 Marketing kicks off with ‘Your Choice’!As many of you already know, we have launched four new marketing campaign concepts for 2008. Created to celebrate our 15th anniversary and underline Music Choice’s market leading position in easy digital music, these campaigns feature a fresh marketing message for each season of the year, along with bespoke elements tailored to our partners’ specific requirements.
The start dates for our marketing campaigns 08 are:
- 3 March – ‘Your Choice’
- 1 July – ‘Summer Music Festivals’
- 1 September – ‘Music Survey’
- 24 November - ‘Christmas Channel’
We are kicking off with ‘Your Choice’ in March, reflecting the exceptional choice of music styles, genres and cultures that has made Music Choice Europe’s leading digital music provider, with over 70 different channels reaching out to nearly 37 million homes in 18 countries.
As our marketing manager Ellen Lesemann-Andreadis says, “We’re passionate about music, plain and simple. That means we always go the extra mile for our customers. We want to find those special tracks that will add an extra dimension to your subscribers’ enjoyment and expand their musical horizons.
Each of our seasonal campaigns will feature a competition with great prizes to generate extra interest for your subscribers. For example, in summer the ‘Music Festivals’ campaign will offer a chance to win a trip for two to a favourite European summer festival.
So if you haven’t discussed campaign participation details with Ellen yet, please contact her as soon as you can on elesemannandreadis@musicchoice.co.uk
And the winner is…
A night at the British Music Awards 2008
In a blaze of publicity and excitement this year’s Brit Awards were celebrated on 20th of February in London.
Our congratulations to all the artists who took home awards. The categories, nominations and winners are highlighted below.
| British Male Solo Artist |
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Jamie T |
MARK RONSON - WINNER |
Mika |
Newton Faulkner |
Richard Hawley |
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| British Female Solo Artist |
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Bat For Lashes |
KATE NASH - WINNER |
KT Tunstall |
Leona Lewis |
PJ Harvey |
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| British Group |
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ARCTIC MONKEYS - WINNER |
Editors |
Girls Aloud |
Kaiser Chiefs |
Take That |
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| British Album |
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ARCTIC MONKEYS: FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE.. - WINNER |
Leona Lewis: Spirit |
Mark Ronson: Version |
Mika: Life In Cartoon Motion |
Take That: Beautiful World |
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| British Single |
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The Hoosiers: Worried About Ray |
Leona Lewis: Bleeding Love |
Mark Ronson: Valerie Ft. Amy Winehouse |
Mika: Grace Kelly |
TAKE THAT: SHINE - WINNER |
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| British Breakthrough Act |
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Bat For Lashes |
Kate Nash |
Klaxons |
Leona Lewis |
MIKA - WINNER |
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| British Live Act |
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ARCTIC MONKEYS - WINNER |
Kaiser Chiefs |
Klaxons |
Muse |
Take That |
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| International Male Solo Artist |
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Bruce Springsteen |
KANYE WEST - WINNER |
Michael Buble |
Rufus Wainwright |
Timbaland |
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| International Female Solo Artist |
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Alicia Keys |
Bjork |
Feist |
KYLIE MINOGUE - WINNER |
Rihanna |
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| International Group |
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Arcade Fire |
Eagles |
FOO FIGHTERS - WINNER |
Kings Of Leon |
The White Stripes |
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| International Album |
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Arcade Fire: Neon Bible |
Eagles: Long Road Out Of Eden |
FOO FIGHTERS: ECHOES SILENCE PATIENCE |
Kings Of Leon: Because Of The Times |
Kylie Minogue: X |
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| Outstanding Contributions Award |
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PAUL McCARTNEY |
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| Critic’s Choice (BPI music expert panel) |
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ADELE |
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