A big chunk of what I do involves looking at endless numbers of spreadsheets and charts. Spotting trends, digging into referral sources, and trying to make facts rise from figures like some sort of marketing phoenix. What’s amazing to me is that with nearly any set of numbers and data points, we can draw all kinds of conclusions. It’s not enough to say “this clearly shows...
What if Gene Simmons was right?
Here in the new music industry, the paradigm is shifting. There's a clear lack of synergy between the next-gen music makers and the major label gatekeepers. As a result, there's a clear lack of revenue caused by and resulting from illegal file-sharing by the disenfranchised youth movement. While some may claim a certain Luddite pretense by those in control of the industry, it's easier to claim...
What’s your shtick?
Our industry, and our patience for hearing new music, is contracting. We're increasingly overtaxed/conditioned by technology so that if it doesn't come to us instantaneously, and stand out at the same time, we just move on. The act of musical discovery and exploration has been relegated to music purists who make up an increasingly small piece of the consumerist pie. So what's YOUR shtick? Why do...
I love Rdio.
I wanted to come up with a more profound title, but I couldn’t. Although, a declaration of true love seems pretty emphatic, don’t you think? Staying up with the trends in the music industry is important to me. In particular, I remember the brouhaha surrounding Qtrax. They were one of the first to offer a subscription based program with unlimited music from all your favorite artists...
Direct-to-Fan Head-to-Head Battle-to-the-Death Mega-Royale Gala-Fest
I figured something like this deserves a bigger title than just “Something I’m Gonna Try.” In my capacity as mild-mannered marketing consultant, I spend a fair amount of time at Nimbit. No surprises there, and honestly, I like the product and believe in its claim/capability. But there’s this other company in the direct-to-fan space that warrants attention: Topspin...
Is TuneCore really a direct-to-fan solution?
Direct-to-Fan is the dominant trend in today’s music space. Whether it’s Trent Reznor telling us, or anyone else, the ability to engage with fans and provide unique, compelling offers is tantamount to success. What’s disturbing though, is that you’ve labeled Tunecore as a frontrunner in the direct-to-fan space. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What about MySpace?
There should never be free music.
Anytime you give a track away, people should be buying it -- and the currency of choice is an email address. Second to that, let them pay with a tweet, by becoming a Facebook fan, or creating a post about your music. Any of those currencies may actually be more valuable than the 99 cents they may (or may not!) want to spend.
An open letter to the Texas Rangers
To Whom It May Concern: I’m Scott Feldman — no, not that Scott Feldman, another one. Â I live in Boston, and I’m a Red Sox fan. Â As you might imagine, being a Sox fan is required by law here in Massachusetts. Â But to share a name with your star pitcher presents some obvious difficulties. I was writing to ask if perhaps you could arrange a meeting between your pitcher and me...