A Change For The Better?
Entry posted by Songstuff
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A Change For The Better?
In recent times there's been some real changes in the music industry as bands try to woo fans. More than that they are wooing online shoppers by trying to demonstrate an understanding of fans by taking a stance against unreasonable profits of record companies. They are giving away freebies and unusually that includes their music. Does this demonstrate a new understanding of their fans or is it simply just a marketing ploy?
I may be cynical, but the music industry has been looking for new ways to bring their profits back up and to increase their market share. Illegal free downloads and a changing market place have already caused cuts in music industry jobs, and I'm sure there will be more. More to the point the shareholders won't be pleased.
So how has the music industry tried to adapt? No more are tours seen as simply marketing exercises by the business. Ticket prices have sky-rocketed, and merchandising prices are ridiculous. Image is everything and brand derivatives are gold dust. Give away music, let fans set the price they want to pay for an album. When the supposed rapport between labels and artists gets in the way of profit use the age old music marketing tool of controversy to win fans. Music is fast becoming the nice-to-have added extra to support the overall celebrity package; the spin doctors are working overtime.
For a long time people were under the mistaken belief that the music industry was about the music. Music is just the product and the hook and the bottom line is profit. For a long time the industry has been about smoke and mirrors, lies, rumours and insinuation all in the name of money. With today's artists being more business savy than ever before you can guarrantee it's not just the labels. Sure there might be those that dabble with the odd rebellion, but so many are addicted to fame, celebrity and the lifestyle they'll do anything for their next fix. Well that and contractual obligations!
As bands and labels continue to experiment I'm sure some things may improve, but the cracks are showing and some are pretty big. As long as the general public places such stock in celebrity I'm afraid music will just have to sit in the passenger seat.
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