LABEL NEWS: DreamWorks Music Publishing Sold To JDS Capital Management, Completes Its Exit From Music Biz & Eminem's 'Encore' Debuts At Top Of Charts

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Dimensional Music Publishing, LLC, a New York-based private equity arm of JDS Capital Management, Inc., has acquired the assets of DreamWorks Music Publishing, completing DreamWorks' exit from the music business; it sold its record label last year.

The DreamWorks catalogue features works by The Byrds, John Denver, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ricki Lee Jones and new acts including Jimmy Eat World, Lifehouse, Alien Ant Farm and Papa Roach. It includes timeless classics such as "Disco Inferno," "Monster Mash," "Day-O," "Take the A Train," "The Thong Song," "Hanging by a Moment," "Amazed," "Take Me Home Country Road," "Rocky Mountain High," and "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Music created for motion pictures and television programs produced by DreamWorks' affiliated companies was not part of the sale.

"DreamWorks Music Publishing is one of the premier music catalogues in the industry," said JDS Capital Management CEO Joe Samberg. "This transaction is consistent with our strategy of acquiring and operating quality assets in the media space, where
our management team is focused on creating value by leveraging its shared expertise across the firm's portfolio companies."

"With rights to a sensational roster of songwriters and artists, this collection is one of the treasures of the music industry-expertly put together by industry veterans. Dimensional will continue to serve its songwriters and artists in the same tradition of excellence while pursuing other quality acquisitions," said Danny Stein, president of JDS Capital.

The DreamWorks Music Publishing acquisition follows JDS Capital's purchases of The Orchard (July 2003), eMusic (November 2003) and Digital Club Network (May 2004).

— Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen

Eminem's 'Encore' Debuts at Top of Charts

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eminem's new album debuted atop the charts, following a decision by the rapper's record label to move up the album's sale date amid piracy concerns.

"Encore" sold 711,000 copies between Friday and Sunday, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The media tracking firm's figures cover all U.S. album sales for the week that ended Sunday.

Behind "Encore" were three compilations by country music acts Shania Twain, Toby Keith and pop diva Britney Spears. Twain's "Greatest Hits" sold 530,000 copies, while fans bought 435,000 copies of Keith's "Greatest Hits 2." Spears' "Greatest Hits: My Prerogative" sold 255,000.

"Encore" was originally slated to be released Tuesday, but Eminem's label, Universal Music Group's Aftermath/Interscope, decided to move up the sale date after tracks began turning up on Internet file-sharing networks.

The release date of Eminem's previous album, 2002's "The Eminem Show," was released four days before its original sale date, selling 285,000 copies in three days. A week later, it sold 1.3 million copies.

Record labels put a premium on racking up strong sales in the first week. But last-minute changes in release dates can be dicey, because advertising and promotion deals often hinge on the timing, which can be designated months or weeks in advance.

That hasn't kept record labels from altering the release date of recordings by several high-profile acts in recent weeks.

Universal's Geffen label moved up the release of rapper Snoop Dogg's latest album, "R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece," to Tuesday, a full week ahead of the original Nov. 23 sale date.

Sony BMG Entertainment's Columbia Records label also opted to release the new album by pop trio Destiny's Child a day ahead of schedule, citing worries over piracy.

Sony BMG Sales Enterprise Appoints Management Team

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire)-
Sony BMG Sales Enterprise has appointed key members of its management team: George Clyne has been named executive vice president, general manager, Sony BMG Sales Enterprise, and Bob Morelli, executive vice president, general manager, Sony BMG Music Entertainment Sales.

Sony BMG Sales Enterprise brings together the former distribution operations of Sony Music Distribution, including RED Distribution, as well as BMG Distribution, and Sony Music Studios, Custom Marketing Group and Sony Wonder.

"Sony BMG Sales Enterprise will draw on the best talent across the board from both companies," said Bill Frohlich, co-president Sony BMG Sales Enterprise. "I look forward to working with George and Bob, as well as with Jordan and the entire Enterprise team, as we continue to grow our businesses."

"Bill & I are fortunate to have executives like George and Bob on our team who will undoubtedly be instrumental in securing Sony BMG's leadership role in the marketplace," added Jordan Katz, co-president Sony BMG Sales Enterprise.

As executive vice president/general manager, Sony BMG Music Enterprise, George Clyne will review the day-to-day operations for the business. He most recently served as senior vice president, Finance and Operations for BMG Distribution, having previously held a number of finance and operations positions at RCA Records and at BMG's record club during his 33 years with the company.

Bob Morelli, in his new role as executive vice president/general manager, Sony BMG Music Entertainment Sales, will oversee the company's sales operations. He most recently served as senior vice president, Marketing for BMG Distribution, having held a number of positions of increasing responsibility since joining the company in 1985.

Reporting to Morelli are the following executives who together make up the management team for Sony BMG's sales operation:

* Jim Lucas – senior vice president, National Sales/Marketing. He most recently served as vice president, Sales, Eastern Region for Sony Music Distribution;

* Rick Wilcoxen – senior vice president, Field Sales/Marketing. He most recently served as senior vice president, Sales, BMG Distribution;

* Dave Curtis – senior vice president, Label Relations/Catalog Sales. He most recently served as senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Sony Music Distribution;

* John Spielberger – senior vice president, Business Operations & Customer Relations Management. He most recently served as senior vice president, Finance and Administration, Sony Music Distribution; and

* Tom Glaser – senior vice president, Sales and Marketing Research. He most recently served as vice president, Marketing Administration, Sony Music Distribution.

The other businesses that comprise Sony BMG Sales Enterprise will continue under the same management are:

* Ken Antonelli, president, RED;

* David Pierce, executive vice president/general manager, Sony Wonder;

* Richard Chechilo, senior vice resident, Sales & Operations, Custom Marketing Group; and

* Andy Kadison, senior vice president, Sony Music Studios

–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen