Monday 1 April 2002

Jobs lost, and it's all Mariah Carey's fault

The spectacular failure of Mariah Carey's album Glitter has contributed to the sacking of 1,800 workers at music giant EMI, including a large chunk of its Australian staff. As part of a savage cost-cutting exercise EMI is axing one-fifth of its global workforce and 400 of the 1,600 bands on its roster.

Eleven days ago EMI Australia cut 20 jobs from its workforce of 125, including label manager Melita Hodge and head of artist relations Amanda Urquhart. EMI Australia managing director Tony Harlow paid tribute to the retrenched staff, some of whom had been at the company for more than 20 years. However, he said the changes were "necessary to our long-term future and form part of a global mandate".

After making a fortune for Sony Music in the 1990s on the back of albums such as Music Box and Emotions, Carey was signed to EMI in April 2001 on a five-albumdeal worth about $200 million. Last July the American singer suffered what her publicist described as "a physical and emotional breakdown" and was unable to promote Glitter. The terrorist attacks in the US on September 11 also cruelled its chances.

Glitter went on to sell 2 million copies worldwide, a dismal result for an artist who has sold a combined 170 million in albums and singles under the Sony label. EMI cut it losses with the singer in January. Carey, who turned 32 on Wednesday, was paid out about $100million in a write-off that has cost EMI's workforce and artists dearly.

EMI is home to acts such as Robbie Williams, Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue and Lenny Kravitz. Its local roster includes Silverchair, paulmac, Kasey Chambers, Slim Dusty, The Living End, Alex Lloyd and lesser-known groups such as Dan Brodie And The Broken Arrows and Rocket Science. With a quarter of the acts around the globe to be shown the door there will be a host of Australian performers nervously watching their backs.

(Sydney Morning Herald)

Many thanks to Mariah Buzz.



COMMENTS
There are not yet comments to this article.

Only registrated members can post a comment.
© MCArchives 1998-2024 (26 years!)
NEWS
MESSAGEBOARD