John Battelle is interviewing both Chris DeWolfe, co-founder of MySpace, and Edgar Bronfman Jr., chief executive of Warner Music Group, on the future of music. They all agree that music is going to be social, and that will lead to monetization of something that has heretofore been pirated.
“When will MySpace Music have a leader?” Battelle asked, referring to the Fox-owned company’s long search for a chief executive of its MySpace Music division. DeWolfe made an offer after interviewing 40 people. He said he expects to make an announcement soon. He wouldn’t reveal more, but said the job was hard to fill because the person had to understand music, technology, and the social web as well. Battelle mentioned that rumors suggest that Courtney Holt of MTV will be named as the chief of MySpace Music shortly.
Battelle asked if Warner Music was different from other music companies on protecting its music from being copied. Bronfman said focusing on innovation rather than litigation was the right approach and to do it in a way that could monetize the music. About 20 percent of Warner’s revenues are coming from digital.
“Until MySpace Music came along, there wasn’t a whole ecosystem available,” Bronfman said.
“Who makes money from iTunes when you buy a song?” Battelle asked. “Apple makes money, and they deserve to make money,” Bronfman said. “There is no one channel that will replace the CD. Artists make money, Apple makes money. But it will take a whole series of business models and channels. Most of the revenue will not come from the physical CD sale, and potentially even the download.” Read the rest of this entry »

Warner Music Group is offering its entire music and video catalog for free streaming on