MIDEM Launches MidemNet Lab, International Showcase for Digital Innovation

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MIDEM 2010 is set to launch an exciting new project: MidemNet Lab, a showcase for cutting-edge industry initiatives, featuring 15 innovative digital companies to be chosen from submitted projects.

?The music industry is continually reinventing itself and so innovation is essential,? said Dominique Leguern, Director of MIDEM. ?By staging the MidemNet Lab, our aim is to put the spotlight on young companies from around the world that are providing new solutions for the future of our industry.?

The 15 most promising companies will be invited to present their business as part of the MIDEM industry market in January 2010. To select entries, MIDEM has joined forces with leading partners in the digital music sector. The start-ups to be showcased will be chosen by UK consulting and research company Music Ally, and a jury of entrepreneurs comprising Mathew Daniel, VP of R2G/Wa3.cn (China); Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify (Sweden/UK); Loic Le Meur, founder and CEO of Seesmic (France/USA); Alexander Ljung, founder and CEO of SoundCloud (Germany/UK); Ian Rogers, CEO of Topspin (USA); and Anthony Volodkin, founder and CEO of Hype Machine (USA).

The jury is living example of innovation. The six members have already launched concepts that have revolutionised the music industry. Founder of Topspin and considered a pioneer in the digital arena, Ian Rogers played a major part in the recent commercial success of the Beastie Boys on the internet. Anthony Volodkin created The Hype Machine, one of the biggest blog aggregators which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors per month. At the head of Seesmic, Loic Le Meur has helped redefine the economic model around blogs with Six Apart.

To obtain more information and to submit your project to the MidemNet Lab, visit the Music Ally site: http://musically.com/midemnetlab

The call for entries to MidemNet Lab is open until 27 October 2009.

What Music Ally and the Judges say about innovation?

"In an industry which is undergoing such a transition in terms of its fundamental business models the role of innovation is absolutely key to future success. And that innovation is far more likely to come from start ups than from either within the music industry or from larger companies. That's why initiatives such as the MidemNet Lab are so important because it will showcase the best start up talents from across the globe."

Paul Brindley, Managing Director, Music Ally (UK)

?Innovation is key as the music industry has adapted to new technological developments for music distribution at an alarmingly slow rate but more worryingly, mindsets have remained even more stagnant. However, the dark edge to this is that numerous tech companies have abused copyrights knowingly under the guise of innovation.?

Mathew Daniel, VP, R2G/Wa3.cn (China)

?The music industry is in a 10%+ decline year-on-year. At the same time people are listening to more music than ever, by a bigger diversity of artists. That is extremely positive but the industry needs to find new ways to create revenues. Just selling CD's won't work. That is why innovation is key for the music industry.?

Daniel Ek, CEO, Spotify (Sweden/UK)

?The Music Industry is finally seeing the web as an opportunity more than a threat, social software and devices such as the iPhone open new, extraordinary opportunities to innovate.?

Loic Le Meur, Founder & CEO, Seesmic (France/USA)

?Reaching listeners in these times means constantly innovating around the ways in which music is experienced. Music discovery, listening and interaction patterns are ever-changing--it's never again going to be a static landscape. Therefore innovation is key.?

Alex Ljung, Founder & CEO, SoundCloud (Germany/UK)

"While we know the pre-Internet music business is fading away, we don't yet know what the future business looks like. Only through openness to innovation connecting artists and fans in new, more efficient ways will we find the future."

Ian Rogers, CEO, Topspin (USA)

?The way that listeners worldwide want to interact and consume music has been rapidly changing for the past 10 years. To make sure that we can support the work of future generations of musicians, we must innovate to create new dimensions of value in a world where most music can be accessed and heard free of charge and copyright has limited meaning, despite our best efforts.?

Anthony Volodkin, Founder & CEO, The Hype Machine (USA)

Download photos of the judges from the site: http://www.reedmidem.com/v3/Press/DownloadZone/en

New this year:

• MidemNet for free! - Access to the cutting-edge digital business conference included in MIDEM registration.
• MIDEM+ - Innovative networking solutions and one-on-one expert guidance to boost business efficiency.
• Redesigned exhibition zone - Networking, knowledge and open meeting places right at the heart of the market.
• The Fringe - A friendly and efficient manner to showcase artists to the world.

Discover all the latest news on our website www.midem.com.

Note to the editors:

ABOUT REED MIDEM

Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is a leading organiser of professional, international tradeshows. Reed MIDEM events have established themselves as key dates in professional diaries. The company hosts MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, and MIPJUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals, MIPIM, MIPIM Asia, MIPIM HORIZONS and MAPIC for the property and retail real estate sectors.

Reed Exhibitions is the world?s leading events organiser, with over 470 events in 37 countries. In 2008 Reed brought together over seven million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 38 fully staffed offices.

Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 470 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation, travel.

For further information about Reed MIDEM visit www.reedmidem.com