Songs For Japan, the unique, star-studded album collection created to help raise money for victims of Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters, continues to benefit the survivors through Japanese Red Cross Society.
Yesterday in Tokyo, senior executives from four major music companies – EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music Group – met with Japanese Red Cross Society Vice President, Yoshiharu Otsuka, to recognise the milestone of $10 million raised and donated from the global sales of Songs For Japan. The occasion was a reception hosted by Frances Moore, chief executive of worldwide recording industry organisation IFPI.
A music industry-wide initiative, Songs For Japan is an unprecedented compilation of 38 major hits and classic tracks, including 21 Billboard Hot 100 hits and five #1s from more than 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music. The collection was rush-released worldwide on March 25 – only 14 days after the earthquake struck Japan – as a digital album via iTunes, followed by the release of a physical two-CD set.
Tadateru Konoe, President of Japanese Red Cross Society, said, “The kind thoughts of the people who made and bought this album have given great encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to those most in need. On behalf of the Japanese Red Cross and the people affected by the disaster, I want to sincerely thank the artists and music companies for this generous support. It is much needed and greatly appreciated.”
All the participating artists, songwriters, music labels, music publishers and iTunes waived their royalties and proceeds to maximise the amount of money donated for survivors. In addition, manufacturers, distributors and marketing partners donated materials, services and advertising time or space.
The first payment of $5 million was made to Japanese Red Cross Society earlier this year, after the initial release and sales of Songs For Japan. The latest, further payment of $5 million was made more recently, bringing the total to $10 million.
Worldwide, music fans have to date purchased more than 1 million digital and physical copies of Songs For Japan. The album rocketed to #1 on iTunes in 18 countries immediately after release.
Tadateru Konoe, President of Japanese Red Cross Society, said, “The kind thoughts of the people who made and bought this album have given great encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to those most in need. On behalf of the Japanese Red Cross and the people affected by the disaster, I want to sincerely thank the artists and music companies for this generous support. It is much needed and greatly appreciated.”
All the participating artists, songwriters, music labels, music publishers and iTunes waived their royalties and proceeds to maximise the amount of money donated for survivors. In addition, manufacturers, distributors and marketing partners donated materials, services and advertising time or space.
The first payment of $5 million was made to Japanese Red Cross Society earlier this year, after the initial release and sales of Songs For Japan. The latest, further payment of $5 million was made more recently, bringing the total to $10 million.
Worldwide, music fans have to date purchased more than 1 million digital and physical copies of Songs For Japan. The album rocketed to #1 on iTunes in 18 countries immediately after release.
IFPI News
Age 11 Revealed As A Pivotal Time For Parents To Address Illegal Internet Use With Children
Professor Tanya Byron launches campaign to give parents practical advice on discussing responsible internet use with children. 11 years old has been revealed as the pivotal age for parents to discuss responsible internet use with their children, as new research found that more than a quarter (28%) of children first start visiting illegal websites by this age.
A study of 1,000 11-16 year olds, carried out by youth research specialists Dubit on behalf of the music, film, TV and video industries, discovered:
By age 11, one in five (21%) of children regularly access illegal music, film, TV and video file-sharing sites
By age 12, over a quarter (28%) of children regularly access illegal music, film, TV and video file-sharing sites
By age 13, almost half (42%) of children regularly access illegal music, film, TV and video file-sharing sites
Almost three quarters (73%) of children are introduced to illegal file-sharing websites by their friends
While more than half (53%) of 11-16 year olds now access the internet unsupervised from their bedrooms, or while out an about on Smartphones and other internet enabled devices, parents may take heart in the fact that almost half of children say they would appreciate more information about safe and responsible internet use from their parents (40%) and teachers (51%).
Author of The Byron Review (2008) and child psychologist, Professor Tanya Byron is supporting internet safety charity, Childnet International, to help parents and teachers talk to teens about safe and responsible internet use.
Supporting Childnet’s Music, Film, TV and the Internet guide, they’ve penned a set of conversation starters for parents and teachers to begin discussing how to enjoy the internet responsibly with children and young people. The guide also provides information on the safety and security risks of downloading entertainment illegally or visiting illegal file sharing websites – such as being exposed to computer viruses, receiving offensive material or theft of personal and financial information.
The tips can be found at www.childnet.com/downloading, along with the free downloadable guide - Music, Film, TV and the Internet.