Monday, July 27, 2009

Kiss your MP3 goodbye
MP3 joining the 8-track and cassette
Again, why your next computer will be an iPhone 4G

Apple working on digital albums, tablet PC: sources

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The major music labels are planning a new digital album format that will debut with a tablet-like personal computer from Apple Inc in September, people familiar with the plans said on Monday.

The labels are attempting to revive the multi-track album format with new software that packages songs, traditional album liner notes, music videos, and other interactive extras as part of a premium-priced package.

The music industry first proposed the idea of an enhanced album format to Apple in 2007, according to two people who said the labels have been separately working on a project code-named "CMX".

The labels, including EMI Group, Sony Corp's Sony Music Entertainment, Vivendi's Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group had planned to roll out the new album format to all digital retailers this November.

But Apple decided to design its own version of an interactive album, which is expected to be launched with its new unnamed tablet-like device this fall, the sources said.

The Apple album project is expected to work with other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPod.

Industry sources said Chief Executive Steve Jobs would likely unveil the new device at an Apple event in September.

The partnership between Apple and the music labels is tinged with irony as it was the technology company that effectively marked the end of the multitrack album format in 2003, when it opened up its iTunes Music Store.

In early negotiations, Jobs made the labels agree to allow customers to buy any individual track they wanted from an album, in a bid to simplify the purchase process.

But record companies are desperate to breathe new life into the album format, which was responsible for the vast majority of profits when sales were primarily in compact discs.

All music companies have seen their revenues plummet as fans who buy music online choose the 99 cent-priced track they want rather than invest in an album which is typically priced around $8 to $10.

The new interactive format would be sold at a higher price than digital albums now.

(Reporting by Yinka Adegoke; Editing by Richard Chang)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Building the Band Brand
Steal a song that has been a hit
Part tres/trois

Bueller, Bueller, Farris Bueller?
Hey, how are you chicks?
20th Century marketing no longer works


Just like the missing Farris Bueller, I Love You Beth Cooper is gone from movies’ Top 10 after three weeks at the box office. While a movie like G-Force comes in with $32-million on its opening, I Love You Beth Cooper hasn’t even grossed half that in three weeks.

On sister site TweenMusic.blogspot.com I mentioned I Love You Beth Cooper star Hayden Panettiere was nowhere in sight promoting the film. No Twitters, no appearance other than like Letterman and Regis and Kelly. No Conan, I believe, no Jimmy Kimmel. Don’t believe she did the morning shows. No web casts – de rigueur today in entertainment marketing.

When will marketing people realize the game has changed and we’re in the 21st Century? You wouldn’t go into a bar and say, “Hey, how are you chicks?” Yet most marketing agencies are still deploying that same ‘70s mentality in their marketing “plans.”

Monday, July 20, 2009

Building the Band Brand: Steal a song part deux

A month ago I said a way to stardom is to steal someone else’s song. Kristinia DeBarge has a hit with Steam’s 1969 #1 hit, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.

I was in Hollisters tonight and heard what I thought was John Lennon's Oh Yoko.

It was someone named Griffin House. I haven’t figured out if it was The Guy That Says Goodbye To You Is Out Of His Mind or Better Than Love. Both sound like Bob Dylan ripping off Johnny Cash who ripped off Oh Yoko.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Building Band Brand
Add this song to your set

It’s going to be the biggest hit of summer. Haven’t been near a guitar to learn since unveiling it to the world – 3 chord key of G progression – G, D, A. Be the first one on your block to offer it in your set. Song not yet available on Amazon, iTunes or usual outlets – you’ll be first!