Establishes Goals and Work Groups to Tackle Issues Surrounding Digital Supply Chain & Operations, Metrics & Data Visualization, and Product Development

New York, NY – OCTOBER 22, 2009: The National Association of Recording Merchandisers today officially announced the launch of its Digital Think Tank, a special task force of NARM members dedicated to resolving issues surrounding the business of digital music.

“The world of the supply chain for music has become incredibly complicated,” said NARM President Jim Donio. “Historically, through the work of our Operations Committee, NARM has been the instrument of change in helping identify and resolve a host of operational issues surrounding the sale and distribution of physical product. With the Digital Think Tank, we’re assembling members into this new task force, and bringing our problem-solving experiences from the physical world to bear on similar issues surrounding digital music. The ultimate mission is to help make the business and consumer experience in the digital realm the best it can be.”

At today’s kick-off meeting, the Digital Think Tank formally established working groups that will tackle three broadly defined issues identified by the NARM membership: digital supply chain and operations, metrics and data visualization, and product development. The Digital Think Tank members will function as a plenary entity, with executive delegates assigning specialists within their companies to these workgroups.

“New products and services only increase the need for better information flow between partners. Therefore, operational efficiencies are a key issue, and that’s what the Digital Supply Chain & Operations Work Group will seek to address,” said Bill Wilson, NARM’s Director of Digital Strategy & Business Development, who will execute the work of the Digital Think Tank and its work groups.

Content creators and retailers also told NARM they need to be able to react quickly to the on-demand market and render marketing and programming decisions based on timely measurement. Various entities already provide myriad types and levels of information, and the Metrics & Data Visualization Work Group will work to determine if there are ways to consolidate that information in ways that can make it even more timely, user-friendly and rich in insights.

Finally, all of these issues directly relate to the bottom line of everyone involved in the development of the business of music. The Product Development Work Group will serve as a resource and sounding board for those who identify and want to rapidly deploy new services for music fans.

Members serving on the Digital Think Tank include: 7digital, Amazon.com, E1, EMI, IODA, Iris, iTunes, Microsoft, Mix & Burn, Napster, Nokia, The Orchard, Rhapsody, Rhino, Sony, Topspin, Universal, Verizon, WEA, and Wind-up.

Media Contacts:

Susan L’Ecuyer
856.596.2221
lecuyer@narm.com

Marla Cimini
856.616.1194
cimini@narm.com