Providing information: In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that killed hundreds of people across the South last week, Lamar Advertising has teamed up with FEMA to provide disaster information. Lamar digital billboards in four states, including all of Alabama, are now displaying the toll-free number for the FEMA helpline. FEMA says by working with Lamar, the agency can quickly deliver emergency messages. The information is also being displayed in metro Jackson and Meridian, Miss., and parts of Georgia and North Carolina.
Deal comes amid industry decline: Russian-born Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries is buying Warner Music Group Corp., the world’s third-largest recording company, for $1.3 billion. That’s according to a person familiar with the deal. The sale comes amid a global decline in CD sales that continues to weigh down the industry. The person says that besides the $1.1 billion purchase price, which amounts to $8.25 per share, Access is also assuming about $2 billion of Warner’s debt. Having no authorization to talk about the deal, the person spoke on condition of anonymity, saying a formal announcement is planned today. The deal comes as U.S. recorded music sales are half of what they were a little over a decade ago. Digital sales gains have started to flatten and CD sales continue to fall.
Correction
In an item on Thursday’s Daily Report AM, the name of one of the announced candidates for secretary of state was left out. State Rep. Walker Hines, R-New Orleans, has said he will run for the seat, along with Caroline Fayard and Tom Schedler. Hines’ name was originally omitted from the Daily Report poll question, so that poll has been taken down. Daily Report regrets the error.
