DIGITAL SOLUTION IS CRUCIAL TO MIDEM'S BRIT PACK.

The attendance of a British government minister underlines the importance of music to the UK economy.

THERE WILL once again be strong representation for British music at Midem 2001 as the BPI and British Music Rights join forces on the British@Midem stand. They have organised a number of key events including a visit by Kim Howells MP, Parliamentary under-secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry, and a showcase featuring Mobo Award-winning artist Lynden David Hall.

Kim Howells' attendance at Midem reflects the government's broad support for the music industry. This is his second visit and he comments, "I am delighted to have been invited back to Midem to support the British music creators and businesses who help make the music industry such an economic success. This key event will be a good opportunity to see how record companies, songwriters, composers and publishers are dealing with the challenges posed for communication and sales in the digital world."

Howells arrives in Cannes on January 22 and will start his visit to Midem with a lunch reception hosted by the Association of Independent Music (AIM). This will be followed by a tour of British stands in the Palais des Festivals, where he will meet delegates from a cross-section of UK music genres and businesses including record labels, publishing and new media companies. Some of the stands he is expected to visit include those run by Gramophone -- a Midem fixture and the likely base for many of the UK's classical music delegates -- and the Jazz Development Trust.

The minister will complete his tour of UK businesses at the British@Midem stand where he will meet representatives of the BPI and British Music Rights.

At 5pm there will be a conference on the UK music industry held during a cocktail reception at La Verriere, at which Howells will make a keynote speech.

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