Web as an opportunity

CEBU, Philippines - Many of the world’s leading online, advertising, video, mobile and other technology leaders will also be sharing expertise in new revenue streams, including MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta, who will give his first keynote address outside the United States.

Guitarist Ed O’Brien from British band Radiohead, which shocked the record industry in 2007 by allowing fans to decide how much they wanted to pay to download their new album, will also fly in to discuss the band’s use of the Web to reach audiences.

“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,” said Daniel Ek, CEO of Sweden’s music streaming service, Spotify.

This year’s MIDEM is offering for the first time a wide range of matchmaking and networking sessions as well as conferences on how to finance and develop artists’ careers beyond the simple CD — using social networks such as Twitter and YouTube — or tips on how to get music used in films, TV series and video games or advertising campaigns.

“We are focusing heavily on learning, education and networking because we have to help our participants to identify those elusive revenue streams,” Leguern stressed.