A bit behind here but last week had some interesting developments, I’ve also included a few stories from earlier in March, enjoy.

• EMI has hired Douglas Merrill from Google to head up its overall digital music group. The hiring of Merrill, Googles former CIO, who has no background in music sales, represents an acknowledgment of how important digital distribution and technology is to the future of the music industry, and to EMI in particular.
• Apple Said to Weigh Unlimited Music Deal. The company is negotiating with the record labels to give customers who pay a premium free access to the entire iTunes music library, the Financial Times reports.
• Itunes top music retailer in US, WallMart moves back to the second chair.
• Music as a service. People should pay for their music the way they pay for gas or electricity.
• Jay Z signs with Live Nation for a $150 million, 10-year deal that covers nearly every part of his career — recorded music, publishing, licensing, live concerts and other business ventures (such as clothing).
• MySpace Fields Online Music Venture. In a joint venture with three big recording companies (Universal, Sony, Warner), MySpace sets up to ply users with music and videos. Online denizens can listen and watch for free, or purchase music downloads.