RedHerring's Blog

Record label EMI has appointed former Google executive Douglas Merrill to head its digital strategy. This comes a week after Warner Music secured the help of music industry guru Jim Griffin and the same day that MySpace announced a deal with music labels Sony BMG, Universal, and Warner Music.

Merrill led Google to an IPO in 2004. He will assume his new role on April 24 at the heart of the music business in EMI's Los Angeles office in California.

"I have two passions," Merrill said. "One is creating platforms and tools that make it easier for consumers to achieve their goals. The other is music."

Guy Hands, who bought EMI for $6 billion last year, is trying to rebuild the troubled company. Hands welcomed the Google recruit as a key member of the team and as a "proven agent of change." The plan comes as EMI tries to beef up the online presence of the British label and will no doubt be part of the restructuring, which is code for the proposed loss of some 2,000 jobs.

Sir Paul McCartney and Radiohead left the EMI label, and there have been reports that ColdPlay and Australian bombshell, Kylie Minogue may soon follow.

One thing is certain: change is guaranteed in the music industry, where the players are constantly trying to find their place in the digital world, that is, once the music stops, but remember there's always one less chair.

EMI Grabs Google VP