is that now, for the first time ever, it is no longer British owned.

God, we need a British owned, creative and modern music company. Which starts from scratch and grows, providing a full service - publishing, agency, promoter, merchandiser, TV and radio owner as well as label and rights controller and collecter.

As I suggested to Guy Hands when he took over. He politely rejected my concept.

It was tried by Sanctuary but failed spectacularly. If a British 360 degree company does happen it will be through organic growth started by some young entrepreneur and as such is 5 - 10 years away.

There have been plenty of previously successful music men who have tried to start new ventures and the majority have lost considerable amounts of money. Their prior credentials gets them access to the finance but their ego's and lack of street contacts means that they can't repeat the magic.

BTW - One problem with the "all media" approach is conflict of interests when signing and then marketing artists. It can be done but a lot of care has to be taken in structuring and operating the deals.

Ah BB you've sussed me; I was consultant to Sanctuary in the early days of that attempt and it started brilliantly; sadly I became embroiled in other matters and (like EMI) was no longer able to provide further informed advice to Rod and Andy (or they would never have got involved with Beyonce or Elton).

It was on the right road; then took a wrong turning.

"One problem with the "all media" approach is conflict of interests when signing and then marketing artists. It can be done but a lot of care has to be taken in structuring and operating the deals."

There is a successful way to deal with the conflict of interest: the way David Geffen did it.

Blue Boy wrote:
It was tried by Sanctuary but failed spectacularly. If a British 360 degree company does happen it will be through organic growth started by some young entrepreneur and as such is 5 - 10 years away.

There have been plenty of previously successful music men who have tried to start new ventures and the majority have lost considerable amounts of money. Their prior credentials gets them access to the finance but their ego's and lack of street contacts means that they can't repeat the magic.

BTW - One problem with the "all media" approach is conflict of interests when signing and then marketing artists. It can be done but a lot of care has to be taken in structuring and operating the deals.

I don't think that is the type of company Jonathan is talking about (Sanctuary). I was privy on that whole thing from when they took over the Townhouse and couldn't make that work. A studio massively popular with a very large number of producers. I didn't see any reason for that place to fold, second only to Abbey Road. I thought Sanctuary was all over the place with their thinking and what they did.

Maybe you should start/bring back the great British record company now Jonathan. Just don't call Cowell, please.