July 14, 2008 14:52

Is Thom Yorke the next media mogul?

Radiohead man named one of the most powerful people in media

Thom Yorke has been named one of the most powerful people in the media industry for Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' pay-what-you-like strategy.

The frontman was placed at number 63 in The Guardian's Media Top 100 2008 chart for the cultural, political and economic changes the band's method of sale created.

The newspaper included the singer for his "pioneering example of the new business model in today's digital landscape, with creatives cutting out the middleman - in Radiohead's case, their old record label EMI - and selling the content online themselves".

They claim Radiohead's model influenced subsequent releases by Nine Inch Nails and The Charlatans - who gave their albums 'The Slip' and 'You Cross My Path' away for free - and Coldplay, who made their comeback single 'Violet Hill' available as a free download.

Other music-related entries include Simon Cowell at number 14, Andrew Lloyd Webber at number 96 and current EMI chief Guy Hands at number 80. Shockwaves NME Awards host James Corden is at Number 25.

To see the full list, visit The Guardian's Media site.