Business is brisk for Brits as Midem notes dotcom decline.

If any further evidence were really needed of the massive dotcom shake-out, then a quick wander around Midem 2001's stands would have provided it.

After two successive years when new media companies' presence hit delegates at every twist and turn of Cannes' Palais des Festivals, the sector this time had a far lower profile -- although those that were there insisted they were going to be around for a while yet.

Combined with the lack of any `big' stories -- last year's event had been electrified by news of the proposed Warner-EMI merger -- there was a calmer air on the Croisette. But there was as much traditional licensing and publishing activity as ever, with the UK independent sector leading the way.

Heading its presence was indie body Aim, which erected its own stand for the first time away from the BPI's umbrella British At Midem stand with more than 40 companies on board. Aim chief executive Alison Wenham claims it was the busiest stand at the whole event. "The feedback from the members has been fantastic," she says. "They've done a lot of business that's right across the spread from record companies to internet companies."

Despite the Aim move, the BPI said its own stand -- representing around 30 UK companies -- was as busy as ever with the end result being an increased profile for the British delegation at Midem. Overall ...