Bertelsmann approaches EMI

By This Is Money
Updated: 00:00 BST, 11 November 2000

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As if Rolls Royce and half the City were not enough, the Germans now want to get their 手渡すs on The （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域-les, Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls.

Bertelsmann, the マスコミ 巨大（な）, has approached EMI about 連合させるing their music 商売／仕事s, though it is shying away from a 企て，努力，提案 for the entire company.

直面する -to-直面する 会談 have yet to begin but EMI, whose 記録，記録的な／記録する labels 支配するd the 全世界の music scene in the heyday of British 激しく揺する, jumped 27p to 571p.

Bertelsmann made its approach as 調印するs grow that a 類似の 取引，協定 between EMI and US 巨大（な） Time Warner will run 座礁して in Brussels. EMI 確認するd that any Bertelsmann 取引，協定 would be an 代案／選択肢 to a TW tie-up.

It would have a better chance in Brussels, because the 連合させるd 商売／仕事 would be marginally smaller, and because the Germans have strong 影響（力） in the European （売買）手数料，委託（する）／委員会／権限.

Lorna Tilbian, マスコミ guru at 仲買人 WestLB Panmure, said a German approach had become '必然的な' に引き続いて the Time Warner 取引，協定's problems.

This looks like another smart move for Bertelsmann 長，指導者 (n)役員／(a)執行力のある Thomas Middelhoff. Last week he broke 階級s with his 相当するものs to embrace the 申し立てられた／疑わしい 'online music 著作権侵害者' Napster. He dropped out of the 産業's copyright 違反 訴訟 and instead 調印するd Napster up to a 共同の 加入者 service.

Middelhoff also led Bertelsmann into path-breaking 同盟s in new マスコミ with companies such as American Online.

By contrast EMI's (n)役員／(a)執行力のある chairman Eric Nicoli, 任命するd from the 薄焼きパン／素焼陶器 商売／仕事 18 months ago, has おもに looked to 削減（する） costs and find a big partner.

This is distressingly unambitious for a company whose music 目録 is the envy of the 産業 世界的な. Shades of Rolls Royce!