“UK music download portals such as MSN and Tiscali will snatch the lion’s share of the online music market in the lull before Apple and Napster cross the pond, according to a new report,” Krishna Roy reports for netimperative. “‘Portals will take an early lead, Coca-Cola will fizz, but most consumer goods firms’ [music services] will fall flat, and iTunes will bite back, ‘ predicts Rebecca Jennings at Forrester Research, author of the new report on the European music download scene.
“Portals benefit from high audience penetration, significant marketing and cross-promotional capabilities and, in the case of ISPs, an established billing relationship, according to Jennings, who believes these factors will give them an initial lead,” Roy reports. “But Apple’s ease of use, seamless linking with the iPod, and enormous brand traction will see it overtake Napster and many of the smaller services in Europe in the longer term, she argues. ‘Napster may give it [iTunes] a run for its money in the ease-of-use stakes but will suffer from lower brand awareness in Europe.'”
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