Outgoing Warner Music Group chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr took the stage at the D: Dive Into Media conference to give his views on a range of music industry issues and services. “Google Music is an oxymoron,” was his zingerest quote, although he clarified that “We don’t have a beef with Google”. WMG doesn’t have a deal with it either for its music store - Bronfman suggested that Google must prove it has a real desire to become a content platform first. “Every deal ultimately comes down to economics.” Bronfman is much more keen on Spotify though, in contrast to his infamous ‘no net benefit’ views earlier in the streaming service’s life. “We see Spotify as incrementally positive. It’s not slowing down music sales or downloads. We would all love to make more money from Spotify, but Spotify needs to make money, too. But artists should know that it is a real and growing revenue stream.” Bronfman also promised that WMG will fight UMG’s acquisition of EMI’s recorded music arm “tooth and nail – and I hope others will join us”.
