The shape of things to come?

Music Week caught up with seven influential industry figures and gathered their predictions for what will likely be a tough year economically and a crucial one for many business models, both old and new

Preview - 2009

Fran NevrkLa Chairman and CEO, PPL

2008 has been both a testing and successful year in spite of the difficult trading conditions much exacerbated by the credit crunch. The same picture will probably emerge this year. While the sales of music in physical formats continue to decline, the distribution of music through legitimate online services is gathering pace and becoming significant.

The success of companies as diverse as Universal and Beggars Banquet demonstrates that far from being on its knees the music industry is very much alive and kicking and responding well to the new challenges calling for new business models. PPL, too, is making further progress by increasing its income streams and expanding the scope and quality of services to all constituents.

There is increasing industry awareness of a crucial need for disciplined business thinking coupled with the realisation that music must not be stolen and the underlying rights must be licensed and monetised at reasonably high commercial levels. Talent, creativity and innovation must be supported - success is not a crime and profit must not become a dirty word. The phrase "promotional use" should gradually disappear from our vocabulary.

Respect for and valuation of copyright and intellectual property rights generally is fundamentally important for all individual creators as well as for the companies who each year make a substantial investment in finding, supporting and nurturing talent. It is similarly important for the future success and well being of the United Kingdom and Europe as a whole.