Sony-U's Duet spins new name, taps exex
Schuon named prexy, chief exec; Bebel named COO
Andy Schuon, an ex-MTV programming exec and the former head of UMG unit Farmclub.com, will be president and chief executive of the new company, and Michael Bebel, most recently executive VP of UMG technology division Universal eLabs, will be chief operating officer.
Schuon will oversee the launch of the new service -- targeted for late summer of 2001 -- as well as technical operations, branding and development. Bebel is charged with running the day-to-day show, as well as handling business affairs and finance issues.
The company, which will have offices in New York and Los Angeles, revealed a few more details about its closely guarded business plan.
Streaming service
Pressplay will give users access to both streamed and downloaded versions of songs in the SME and UMG catalogs on demand for a subscription fee. In addition, users will be able to make personalized playlists and share them with other Pressplay members. The service also plans to make its digital tunes available for use on portable devices.
Schuon said his appointment and that of Bebel gives the digital music venture its first public face since it was initially formed as Duet in May of 2000.
"There hasn't been a lot of talk in the press about Pressplay, but that doesn't necessarily mean that a lot hasn't been going on in the background," Schuon told Daily Variety. "This has been a fully functional company, which has been up and developing products from day one."
Rival to MusicNet
By contrast, a rival service called MusicNet has figured prominently in the headlines recently. The company, which was formed by BMG Entertainment, EMI, Warner Music and online media firm RealNetworks, announced a licensing deal last Monday with Napster.
Deal precludes the file-swapping netco from striking any agreements with either Sony or UMG, unless the label in question joins MusicNet. But Pressplay's Bebel said Napster still has some work to do before it becomes a suitable vessel for anyone's music.
"Napster has yet to show that it can provide a forum for music that respects copyrights and artists," he said.
