It's become a holiday tradition for Hypebot to host an online networking party. Much of the business shuts down during the holidays, but we keep publishing on a lighter schedule and many of our readers are using the down time to work on exciting projects to unveil in 2011. Others are just looking for a constructive solution to the pre-holiday work day blahs. Either way, get involved:
In an interview with Billboard, Lyor Cohen, the CEO of Recorded Music for WMG, confided that he thinks, "Paramore is going to be very special and demonstrate what we mean by alignment." Similarly, in a New York Times piece, writer Jeff Leeds wrote that executives and talent managers "cite Paramore as a promising example of a rising new model for developing talent, one in which artists share not just revenue from their album sales but concert, merchandise and other earnings with their label in exchange for more comprehensive career support."
Google search results define our world. To anyone, looking for anything, the first 3-4 options in a Google Search are the only sites that exist online. We all know about the latest and coolest music sites and services. The average person doesn't. If a friend doesn't tell them about Tubeify and they don't read tech blogs, they'll never hear about it. Save for a stray alert on Facebook or Twitter, most people won't hear about these sites unless they're searching for them on Google. Yes, they might Bing it too, but I refuse to accept that verb.
Facebook has beat out Yahoo! in video referrals for the first time ever. They're now second to only Google, says a new study by TubeMogul. It now accounts for 9.6% of all referred video traffic to media companies. Notably, Google refers around 65% of that traffic. While Facebook may never catch up to Google, the fact that it's winning out over Yahoo! is compelling. Perhaps this data point isn't surprising, but it's still interesting. Take a look:
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Panos Panay, the founder & CEO of SonicBids, answers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
MTV doesn't play music anymore. And you know what? They're laughing all the way to the bank. Yes, we know they still play lots of music videos on their sister channels. We're talking about the flagship of youth culture. The original dream. Sure, MTV did something drastic over a decade ago when they started to shift their focus to reality television. To this day, members of Generation Y still express betrayal that MTV left music behind in favor ofThe Situation and the other Jersey Shore idiots. Needless to say, MTV still doesn't see it that way.
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Marcus Taylor, the founder of The Musician's Guide, answers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
ReverbNationhas been having quite a run leading up to this holiday season. First they announced their one-millionth account. Then they gained an exclusive partnership with Myspace, which made their tools baked into the fabric of the social network. Now they've released a mobile app for the iPhone that enables artists to collect emails, check profile stats, post status updates to the big three (Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace) simultaneously, and send out newsletters. That's what ReverbNation gave artists for Christmas this year.
Though still in a beta stage of development, the app is free.
Digital collection agency SoundExchange has released 2009 financials showing $155.5 million distributed to artists and copyright holders from $204 million collected from streaming services including internet and satellite radio, and cable TV music services. That's a 20% increase in collections and a 55% increase in payments over 2008. SoundExchange says the increase comes from the jump in streaming services, 5,335 new artists registering, and data clean-up resulting in improved processing.
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Bob Baker, author of the "Guerrilla Music Marketing" book series and music marketing teacher at Berkleemusic.com, answers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
For the week ending Dec. 20, 2010: Top 10 Singles: 1. “Grenade,” Bruno Mars 2. “Firework,” Katy Perry 3. “6 Foot 7 Foot,” Lil Wayne, Cory Gunz 4. “The Time (Dirty Bit),” Black Eyed Peas 5. “What’s My Name?” Rihanna, Drake
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here George Howard, a music industry educator and leading blogger, answers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
Michael Brandvoldexplains how to use Facebook & Twitter with your official website by using the KISS website as an example. From 1998-2005, he managed the KISS website and came up with ways to keep fans on the site as long as possible which helped convert many people into fans. “Don’t condition your fans to think of Facebook as a replacement for your website," Brandvold writes. "Facebook should be a extension of and a traffic source for your website.”
Spotify failed to launch. It's official now. Sadly, that news isn't surprising. In the background of this digital music drama, songshas launched their own lackluster music subscription service. "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" will launch in the U.K. and Ireland for starters, but Sony has plans to bring it stateside in 2011.
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Benjamin Campbell, Founder + CEO, OurStage.com, anwsers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
Benjamin Campbell: I think musicians and fans understand more than ever just how symbiotic their relationship is.
Artists are among the top ten professions likely to suffer from depression. In a study published by Health.com, people working in the arts ranked as the fifth most likely to suffer from depression. About 9% of creative people reported an episode of major depression in the previous year. They also have higher rates of mood disorders. Given that a career as an artist can often bring irregular paychecks, uncertain hours, and isolation, it's easy to imagine why depression is commonplace. Added to that, would be the nature of creativity itself. It's no secret. Human suffering and tragedy produces the emotional environment necessary for profound music to emerge.
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Brenden Mulligan(@bmull), founder of ArtistData and VP of Strategic Development at Sonicbids, answers.
Hypebot: What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
To market anything effectively, you must understand demographics. It's who your audience is. Most music marketers will already be using both Facebook and Twitter to engage audiences. But, when you take a look at the demographic breakdown of both social media outlets, it's important to understand the differences.
This year at SXSW, there will no longer be swag bags. There will be no more lugging around and guarding a heavy cache of physical media, magazines, and key chains, among other things. This year, the swag bag will be completely digital. There will be an online portal where SXSW registrants can claim their digital media. Rather than handing you this bundle of love all at once, SXSW will be slowly distribute it leading up to the event.
Within 18 hours of its release, Tap Tap Revenge 4 claimed the #1 spot in the App Store. It's seeing around 25,000 downloads per hour. According to Bart Decrem, SVP and General Manager at Disney Mobile, this is the fastest that any of Tapulous's games have hit #1.
Between all of its apps, the company estimates that they're nearing 50 million total downloads. The key to their success has been their ability to send promotions to their existing user base once new developments occur.
As we end the year, Hypebot asked some our favorite thinkers, writers, and friends to answer two questions - one looking forward and the other back. Here Ian Rogers, CEO of Topspin Media, answers.
Hypebot: Direct to fan and social marketing helped reshape the music industry in 2010. What do you see as the most important business and consumer trends that will shape the music industry in 2011?
Paramore confronts trouble as two of the founding members leave. Tells all about their WMG 360 deal.
