EMI is facing troubled times. The label, which was purchased in September for 6.3 billion dollars by Terra Firma, has already lost flagship artists Radiohead and Paul McCartney. If that wasn't enough, popular acts such as Robbie Williams and Coldplay are feeling alienated by the corporations policies and personnel decisions. Williams manager accused new label Guy Hands of behaving like a “plantation owner,” but later softened the opinion in an interview with Billboard:

"Given where EMI were, the state they were in, the changes they were making, how could any artist deliver an album -- we wouldn't know how it would be marketed, distributed and promoted. They're decimating staff and it would be willfully irresponsible of any manager to say, 'Let's deliver this album, they'll sort it out.' Well, actually no -- we have to be persuaded that the services that they offer to their artists are going to be of the highest quality."

Clark was also displeased with the departure of long-time U.K. chairman and CEO Tony Wadsworth left EMI left the company earlier this week. Coldplay’s management expressed similar sentiments, as the band prepares to deliver its new record, Prospekt, later this year. Manager David Holmes had this to say about the situation:

“I am both saddened and confused that the current owners of EMI have chosen not to include Tony Wadsworth as part of their future plans for the company.”

Hands is scheduled to deliver his plans for EMI in mid-January. An unfavorable response could trigger tremendous slow downs for those artists under contract or more departures from the label. Either result is unacceptable for EMI as it seeks to reposition itself for the music industry’s next age. [Billboard]