EMI’s Angel Launches ScoutR Online A&R Community

EMI’s Angel Music Group has re-launched its label website with a new focus as an online A&R submission system. ScoutR is part of an online social network where fans can upload demos personalize their profile and interact with others. In what they are calling A&R 2.0, Angel’s ScoutR is designed to create an online community of A&R scouts.

The site also features artist info, wallpapers and screensavers, a weekly MD’s update, live events listings and a detailed staff section. Angel Music Group was created in the UK in 2005 with a focus on pop, mainstream, adult contemporary and crossover
classical. The group is home to Charisma,
EMI Classics UK and select releases from Hollywood like Hilary Duff and Plain White T’s.

After submitting, artists are given a rating by other members based on quality, how many times a track is played and how highly ranked the scout is according to the volume of tracks they have listened to. Those who make it onto the sites Top 10 are guaranteed a listen by the label’s A&R Director and some standout tracks will be released as one off singles.

The site also features the label’s own YouTube channel where epks,
artist videos and artist interviews will be streamed. ‘Angel online’
will have its own Flickr feed documenting the label’s live events and
gigs, LastFM profile and Angel branded Bebo profile.

Angel is initially giving the site a marketing push internally to
encourage staff to submit their own demos. This will be closely
followed by promotion via the ScoutR MySpace page, online PR activity
and support from promotional partners.

Mark Collen, SVP EMI Music, comments “Our aim is to bring our artists
and music closer to consumers and create a two-way dialogue with fans,
not only encouraging them to enjoy music from Angel but also providing
them with an environment where they can share their own music and
network with other fans.”

Mike Dowuona, Digital Media Manager, Angel Music Group, EMI Music UK,
continues “Angelmusicgroup.net aims to build on the traditional label
site ‘shop window’ format by introducing a number of interactive
elements providing a destination that allows fans to feedback,
influence and experience through the familiar social networking
environments.”