iMusic turns to digital albums

       Set to tap the growing popularity of digital content, iMusic yesterday introduced itself as a provider of digital music.
       "We expect to launch our first two albums this year and seven next year," CEO Pawadol Kliewakradet said.
       The company expects to achieve sales of Bt60 million next year and more than Bt100 million in five years, when it plans to list on the stock exchange.
       The company yesterday unveiled its stable of singers - mannaruemas Yukol, Alex Rendell, Keerati "Gypsy" Mahaprukpong and Haward Wang.
       "We have created an online real-time monitoring system to show all returns to our artists, music composers and producers in real time," Pawadol said.
       "We have also launched an all-in-one CD called 'Four Smart Convergence' featuring various audio files and data, including MP3, Fullsong, Truetone, MV, and wallpaper, in one disc.
       "The files can be played on DVD and CD players, car audios, computers and mobile telephones," he said.
       The disc will be available at a price of Bt99.
       The music industry in Asia is worth about Bt36 billion, of which Bt10 billion is in Thailand, he said.
       The music industry is growing by 10-15 per cent per year, he added.