July 27, 2009

By By Antony Bruno, Denver

-- LimeWire has hired another former record label executive, this time bringing onboard Zeeshan Zaidi for the newly created position of head of global. Zaidi was most recently COO of the online media startup NABBR, but formerly was VP of new ventures for Sony BMG's global digital business group. Prior to Sony BMG, Zaidi also had stints as VP of digital business operations at RCA Music Group, and worked at Arista Records and Bertelsmann as well. LimeWire recently hired Jason Herskowitz as VP of product management, formerly of the label-led Total Music effort.

-- Digital distribution and marketing firm the Orchard will begin dynamically changing the prices of a select group of albums and tracks based on sales traffic, using technology from Digonex Technologies. The Orchard did not say what portion of its vast catalog of indie and international labels and artists will be participating in the offer.

-- Young women?s national retail chain Maxrave Stores, has launched a virtual CD and microsite to help build awareness of its 2009 Back to School Campaign. It features streaming music and digital downloads from 12 new artists, including the Cassette Kids, Maiysha, TeeJay, and Mike Posner. The campaign kicks off with the distribution of 65,000 music download cards as a gift with purchase at 280 Maxrave stores nationwide.

-- Recordings on High Note Records and Treasure Isle will now be available via IODA's digital outlets through a deal with music publisher Notable Music. This agreement marks the first time these music catalogs will be made widely available for legal download. The music catalogs from the labels is part of a larger partnership Notable holds with Jamaica-based record producer, record label owner and music publisher, Sonia Pottinger and her Push Music Jamaica publishing company.

Additional items by Chris M. Walsh.

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