News Broadcasting
Midem 2007 conference to focus on music and brands
MUMBAI: The increasing collaboration between the music industry and brands will be a key theme at the Music for Images conference at Midem 2007.
Launched in 2004, Music for Images explores how music is being used in film, video games, TV and advertising. The fourth edition of “Music for Images” will take place at Midem on 22 January.
The 41st edition of Midem will be held in Cannes, France, from 21-25 January. Music for Images 2007 comprises three dedicated panels focusing on video games, film/TV and advertising/branding. Once again this year panellists will include major representatives in each field and the entire programme will be chaired by US music industry figure Glassnote Records (US) president Daniel Glass.
Returning for the third consecutive year at Music for Images will be the ever-popular listening sessions. A total of three separate listening sessions will once again provide companies with the opportunity to submit and play their tracks in front of international music supervisors who are actively looking for music to place in video games, adverts and film scores.
The first panel to kick off the conference is called Video Games: The Latest Challenge for Labels and Composers?. Headlining the session is the music visionary/producer and founding member of legendary funk outfit Chic, Nile Rodgers. The music producer, associated with an impressive array of artists from Madonna to David Bowie, is also the founder of one of the world’s leading labels for licensing and distributing videogame soundtracks, Sumthing Else Music Works. As such he will be giving his insight into the new opportunities for artists and leading talent in this newly emerging musical genre.
Other speakers include Nick Wiswell, audio manager, Bizarre Creations (“Project Gotham Racing”); Richard Jacques, composer for titles such as “Jet Set Radio” and “Headhunter” and Eckhardt Consulting’s Randy Eckhardt, in charge of music licensing for Guitar Hero, one of the most critically-acclaimed music games to date.
The New Role of Music in Feature Film Marketing will be the second dedicated focus and presents an exclusive look at how music has become a key element in the feature-film business. The session is organised with Hollywood sync agency Zync and features Drew Sherrod, music supervisor for Open Road Entertainment and Niki Gascon, director of music for Warner Brothers Pictures.
The third and final panel poses the question Are Brands Shaping the New Music Economy? While the music industry is looking for new revenue streams, brands are searching to build deeper connections with consumers. The promising but complex mix between music and brands ranges from the simple sponsorship deal to innovative partnerships. Expert representatives from each side will be looking at how best each can work with the other.
Speakers for this panel include McDonald’s (Germany) VP marketing and communications West Region Johan Jervoe, Volkswagen (Germany) head of services/sponsoring Cornelia Schneider and Sony BMG Entertainment (UK) VP Futures Duncan Bird.
On 22 January, Sony Computer heads up the first listening session in which the winner will have his music placed in a video game and also be offered a work experience session with Richard Jacques, the award winning composer.
The second listening session will offer contestants the opportunity to submit music for the series Grey’s Anatomy. The US music supervision agency Zync will ask contestants to compose or propose tracks for a specific set of scenes from the series. One or several winners will be retained by The Chop Shop’s Alex Patsavas, music supervisor for Grey’s Anatomy and other US shows.
The third listening session will offer the winner a placement in a forthcoming Activision video game. The “Music for Images” conference is organised in association with: Frukt (UK), music strategy and communications agency; Music4games (US), music for video games; Zync Music (US), music marketing company specialised in ad, film and TV placement and entertainment magazine Hollywood Reporter.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
