News Bits

In Association News

1. Best Buy's Jennifer Schaidler Elected NARM Board Vice Chairman

The Board of Directors of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) has elected Jennifer Schaidler as Vice Chairman of the Board. Schaidler is Vice President and Business General Manager in charge of music at Best Buy. More...

2. Universal And Navarre Confirm NARM Product Presentations

NARM is pleased to announce that Universal Music & Video Distribution and Navarre Entertainment Media will sponsor two consecutive Product Presentations at InSights & Sounds.05, NARM's 47th Annual Convention & Marketplace. Universal's event will be Saturday, August 13 from 9:30 - 10:45 AM; Navarre's will be from 11:15 AM - Noon.  More...

3. Welk to Showcase Nickel Creek During Opening Business Session

The traditionally flavored Pop-Folk lyrics and sparkling acoustic licks of Welk Music Group's Nickel Creek will greet Convention attendees at NARM's Opening Business Session & Annual Meeting on Friday, August 12, during Insights & Sounds.05, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers Annual Convention & Marketplace to be held August 11 - 14 in San Diego. More ...

4. NARM Position Statement on DualDisc Releases

NARM is urging the vendor community to take a positive, more proactive stand on DualDisc because retailers see it as a vehicle that will attract consumers via its exciting value proposition. The Association has issued a position statement on DualDisc releases, which can be read here.  

5. March 31 Scholarship Application Deadline Fast Approaching; Past Winner Reflects On Scholarship Benefits

Don't miss your chance to submit your application, your spouse's application or your child's application for consideration for the 2005 NARM scholarships that will be awarded later this year. Application deadline is March 31, 2005. Applications are available for college undergraduates and incoming college freshmen. Check the NARM Web site and your company's HR department for scholarship applications.

The NARM Scholarship Foundation recently received a letter of thanks from Megan Taylor, winner of the 2000 Sony Music Scholarship. Here is what Megan had to say:

"I am writing to express my appreciation for the NARM scholarship awarded to me for the years 2000 - 2004. Were it not for your organization and the efforts of the Scholarship Foundation, myself and many other students would not be afforded the opportunity to fulfill our educational goals.

I graduated in June 2004 from DePaul University in Chicago, Ill. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts. After many college visits my senior year in high school, I knew the minute I stepped foot on DePaul's campus that it was the school for me. I had planned on attending an Illinois state school, but the financial support given through my NARM scholarship made up the difference in costs and allowed me to attend the more costly private school.

I thoroughly enjoyed my four years at DePaul University. I received a first-rate education, made life-long friends, and lived in the wonderful city of Chicago. I enriched my college experience by studying abroad in Greece my junior year.

After my graduation in June, I stayed in Chicago and was hired as a creative assistant and sales representative for Fig Media, Inc.

Again, thank you for choosing me as a NARM scholarship recipient and for the work and effort you expend in soliciting company donors and administering the scholarships. I am grateful to you and the NARM organization."

6. Artist Extols Benefits of NARM Convention Performance

So often after artists perform at the NARM Convention, we read about their successes, but we do not hear how their performance, in particular, benefited their careers. NARM recently received a letter from Pavlo (Justin Time Records), who performed at during the Welcome Back Reception at InSights & Sounds.04. Here is what he had to say:

"What can I say! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to perform at NARM last year. As a result of my appearance, I met a key executive from Anderson Merchandisers who set up for me 16 Wal-Mart in-store appearances in California. Now my album 'Fantasia' is No. 6 on Billboard's New Age Chart. I am forever grateful!"

Music slots for InSights & Sounds.05 remain. Book your performance today and reap the benefits of performing in front of the industry's most influential decision-makers.

7. NARM Remembers Al Sherman and His Contribution To The Industry

NARM is saddened by the death of industry veteran Al Sherman and extends its deepest sympathies to the Sherman family and all those who worked closely with Al over the years.

President of Alshire International, Sherman began his music career after World War II as a record salesman. In 1954, he started Record Sales Company, a distributor of major labels in Los Angeles.  In 1965, he acquired the 101 Strings Orchestra and successfully operated it for 30 years. Sherman ventured into the manufacturing business in 1973 with a record pressing plant, later adding high-speed tape duplication and CD, CD-R, DVD and DVD-R duplication, packaging and assembly services. His companies have been NARM members since 1958. 

In addition to his work in the music industry, Sherman was an active ASCAP member writer, sponsored NARM scholarships through his Al Sherman Foundation, and was honored by Santa Monica High School for his generous support of its youth symphony orchestra. He actively supported the City of Hope, and was one of the single greatest contributors to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif.

Sherman died on February 25 of heart disease. He is survived by his two children and three grandchildren.

8. Correction To Legacy Entertainment Profile Information

NARM would like to apologize for errors that occurred in Legacy Entertainment's member profile in the 2005 edition of the NARM Membership Directory & Buyer's Guide. Legacy Entertainment's correct information is listed below.

If there are corrections to your company's information, please contact Evelyn Dichter at dichter@narm.com so that the information can be updated in our database and also in our online directory.

Legacy Entertainment, Inc.
369 Glover Rd., Unit One
Stoney Creek, ON L8E 6C9
CANADA

Phone:   (905) 643-2772
Fax:   (905) 643-2312
Web:   www.legacyentertainment.ca

Key Executives:
Terry Perusini, Pres.,
terry@legacyentertainmentinc.com
Wilf Wikkerink, Operations Dir.,
wilf@legacyentertainmentinc.com
Dave Wiggins, Sales,
dave@legacyentertainmentinc.com
Tom MacBeth,
tom@legacyentertainmentinc.com
Lynn McIntosh, Sales,
lynn@legacyentertainmentinc.com
 
Distributed by:
We distribute our own label.
 
We offer the following products:
Prerecorded music and DVDs.
 
Our specialty is:
All types.

In Other News
9. Sony*BMG Music Entertainment Accelerates Release Of Content Enhanced And Protected CDs

Sony*BMG Music Entertainment has announced that it will employ content enhanced protection on an increasing number of its U.S. releases during 2005, beginning with upcoming titles such as The Chieftains, "Live From Dublin" (February 22); "Kasabian," (March 8); and "Susie Suh,' (March 29); with others to follow.  By year's end, the company expects that a substantial number of its releases within the United States will feature content enhancement and protection. More...

10. RIAA Releases January 2005 Enforcement Newsletter

The RIAA's Nationwide Enforcement Newsletter highlights some of the enforcement activity being conducted by various law enforcement agencies across the country. During the month of January, multiple enforcement agencies from 14 different states conducted enforcement action to help reduce music piracy committed across the country. Click here to view a PDF version of the newsletter.

11. The Future Is Here: A Beginner's Guide To RFID

Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is beginning to revolutionize the way business is done. Already, the U.S. Department of Defense and Wal-Mart have required their top suppliers to have RFID technology implemented in their supply chains by January 1, 2005. As more manufacturers of RFID tags, readers and software solutions enter the market, the price of implementing the technology will continue to decline.  More...

In Every Issue
12. New Member Update

Please join NARM in welcoming the following new member to the Association:

Suppliers Of Related Products And Services
Sonicbids
580 Harrison Ave., Fourth Fl.
Boston, MA 02118
Phone:  (617) 275-7222
Fax:  (617) 630-7026

Individuals
Cornelius Kreusch
327 Bowery
New York, NY 10003
Phone:  (212) 533-6054

Distributors
Independent Online Distribution Alliance, Inc.
665 Third St., Ste. 305
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone:  (415) 777-4632
Fax:  (415) 777-4633

13. NARMart Update

NARMart is NARM's virtual, interactive marketplace designed to help suppliers conveniently and efficiently showcase their products to NARM members while at the same time allowing members to find the latest in product offerings from their suppliers. Contact Nicole Hennessey at hennessey@narm.com to join the companies below who are currently displaying their products on NARMart:

Data Display Systems

With over 20 years of audio-video experience, Data Display Systems specializes in listening stations for music sampling and corrugated, wood, plastic and metal displays utilizing "chip" technology, MP3 and CD-ROM players. The company utilizes their staff for in-house design, engineering and manufacturing of these custom displays. Proprietary "network" systems incorporating barcode scanner with LCD video screen are also available.

TouchStand

As a division of Synergy Media Group, TouchStand is a Web-enabled, in-store multimedia sales system that integrates a streaming-audio sampling station, online Muze search catalog, point-of-sale system with built-in UPC scanner and receipt printer, e-mail and mailing list builder, striking 17" full-color touch-screen monitor, and much more into one easy-to-use system.

Visit listings at NARMart to learn more about these companies and how their one-of-a-kind product can benefit your business.

National Association of Recording Merchandisers
9 Eves Drive, Suite 120
Marlton, NJ 08053
Phone:  856.596.2221
Fax:  856.596.3268
Web:  www.narm.com

For comments or suggestions, contact NARM's Sr. Director of Communications and Marketing, Susan L'Ecuyer, at lecuyer@narm.com