Technology convergence is a huge problem for the music industry as it allows millions of people to download songs illegally, making the record labels very shaky.
I agree that it is very hard to stop illegal downloading as some people know no better than to download illegally but I do not think that it is unstoppable. If the record labels were able to shut down all the sites then it would be a help but there are real problems in doing this as the sites could be reloaded within a day. Millions and millions of people use these sites everyday, either on their computer, phones or ipods.
Monday 4 April 2011
Music matters campaign
- With music more available than ever, its a sentiment that's worth restating.
- Music matters is a campaign that's aimed at starting a conversation with the listening audience.
- It's not a groundbreaking idea, or a difficult point to get across, and the only sensible way to make the point, the music do the talking.
- The music matters trust mark to signifies the support of musicians and their craft, and will be carried by legitimate music services and retailers.
- It will give music fans a chance to make the ethical choice.
- Ways to enjoy music legally - play.com, itunes, amazon, bt, nokia music store, spotify, vidzone, 3, 7digital.com, we7, napster, era, sky songs, hmv.com, tesco, vodafone, o2, orange, t mobile,
- If you think music matters look for MM on all supporting sites.
Monday 21 March 2011
Discuss the issues raised by the increasing globalisation of media institutions and their ability to target national (specifically British) audiences.
UMG is a big enough label to be able to have subsidiaries which can focus more on specialising in Britain. They use techniques such a synergy to make there music known worldwide such as shows like glee.
Glee helps to promote specific songs for the second time. For example they used a whole episode based on Lady Gaga and sung a number of her songs. This then promotes the songs and encourages the audience to listen to the original and maybe even buy Lady Gaga's tracks/album.
Domino are more of an independant label and are not big enough to own subsidiaries. This means that they are very focued on being based in Britain and not worldwide. This is easier and a lot less expensive than being worldwide as different countries want different things.
Technological convergence actually benefits to small independant labels such as Domino because they can set up websites for free, and streaming for free. They focus more in Britain because it would be too expensive to distribute the website around the world, etc. Domino is less sophisticated than UMG because of their price cuts but it works for that type of label as they do not care about costs, just about the talent of the musicians.
A band like Franz Ferdinand are signed to Domino (being Britain based). This is fine for breaking the market in Britain but to take this further and break the market in America, which is very hard to do, they are signed to one of Sony's subsidiary.
Justin Bieber is signed by a subsidiary of UMG, Island Records. As UMG is worldwide it means that he is very popular worldwide. UMG can do this because they have enough money and power to do things such as soundtracks, movies, merchandise, etc. They have many avenues to go down. Island records is more Britain based therefore he gets more promotion in Britain.
UMG have subsidiaries which means the subsidiaries can have their bands support big American bands at a concert to promote them more as UMG distributes their music worldwide.
Glee helps to promote specific songs for the second time. For example they used a whole episode based on Lady Gaga and sung a number of her songs. This then promotes the songs and encourages the audience to listen to the original and maybe even buy Lady Gaga's tracks/album.
Domino are more of an independant label and are not big enough to own subsidiaries. This means that they are very focued on being based in Britain and not worldwide. This is easier and a lot less expensive than being worldwide as different countries want different things.
Technological convergence actually benefits to small independant labels such as Domino because they can set up websites for free, and streaming for free. They focus more in Britain because it would be too expensive to distribute the website around the world, etc. Domino is less sophisticated than UMG because of their price cuts but it works for that type of label as they do not care about costs, just about the talent of the musicians.
A band like Franz Ferdinand are signed to Domino (being Britain based). This is fine for breaking the market in Britain but to take this further and break the market in America, which is very hard to do, they are signed to one of Sony's subsidiary.
Justin Bieber is signed by a subsidiary of UMG, Island Records. As UMG is worldwide it means that he is very popular worldwide. UMG can do this because they have enough money and power to do things such as soundtracks, movies, merchandise, etc. They have many avenues to go down. Island records is more Britain based therefore he gets more promotion in Britain.
UMG have subsidiaries which means the subsidiaries can have their bands support big American bands at a concert to promote them more as UMG distributes their music worldwide.
Friday 4 March 2011
Survey Monkey Questionnaire
In my survey I asked a number of questions which I thought would help me for revision for my exam.
I asked people aged between 10-50 in order to get a real difference in opinions.
It has suprised me by the amount of people that buy the CD from the store. Again I can imagine that this is the older generation rather than the younger.
If you click on the picture below it will enlarge for you.
This is a ranking to show what people prefer listening to their music on. The top being ipod and the last beng a vinyl record. The vinyl record being mostly because of the unpracticality of it. This is what I expected, but the middle figures are quite inter
I didn't expect this sort of result for this question but the reason for it is because the majority of the people I asked are very fond of music and some work in the musical industry themselves. I personally feel that the younger generation are not interested in the record label that the atrists are signed too, just interested in the music. The older generation on the other hand may be more interested as it more traditional to know these facts about the artist, e.g. history, etc.
I like this question a lot, and I am very interested in the responce of it too. I agree with the majority of people who have answered this question that very little famous artists are actually talented. I feel that this is very much due to technology convergence and shows such as X factor. It is a lot easier now a days to become an artists compared to years back. This is because we have easy technology such as recording software, the internet to upload songs on etc. Therefore artists may become famous because they are awful and they have got millions of hits on youtube! I don't think this is correct.
Do you agree with illegal downloading? Explain your answer.
In conclusion to these thoughts below it is obvious that the general public do not necessarily believe in illegal downloading but do not have anything against it because of the fortune that record labels and itunes make out of it. I agree with this. I think it is a shame that artists do not get the money for the downloads but I also feel that if they were a true artist they would not care about their financial profit and would just be making music for the true passion that they have or it, for example Joss Stone.
What is your idea of a true musician? Name a person/band and explain why?
I asked people aged between 10-50 in order to get a real difference in opinions.
This result shows a real mix in opinion. It shows that people care as much about ease of getting the music than they do cost. I can imagine that the younger generation chose ease, compared to the older generation probably choosing cost as the traditional way of receiving their music is by buying a CD.
It is interesting to see that more people download songs of the internet illegally rather than legally. This proves that people are bothered about the cost of music. Is it that the younger generation know illegal downloading as part of their music education?
It has suprised me by the amount of people that buy the CD from the store. Again I can imagine that this is the older generation rather than the younger.
This is a ranking to show what people prefer listening to their music on. The top being ipod and the last beng a vinyl record. The vinyl record being mostly because of the unpracticality of it. This is what I expected, but the middle figures are quite inter
In conclusion to these thoughts below it is obvious that the general public do not necessarily believe in illegal downloading but do not have anything against it because of the fortune that record labels and itunes make out of it. I agree with this. I think it is a shame that artists do not get the money for the downloads but I also feel that if they were a true artist they would not care about their financial profit and would just be making music for the true passion that they have or it, for example Joss Stone.
Friday 18 February 2011
'The online revolution has proved as damaging to independent labels as to multinational companies'
HOW FAR DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT?
Independant labels such as Domino are known as being a more traditional label in that they follow the horizontal integration structure. It uses other companies to handle different aspects of the production, marketing, promotion and distribution as it does not own these facilities itself. Recently this is becoming a real struggle as there is so much more need for other aspects of production now that it is hard to manage all these different aspects without doing it with your own facilities. Multinational companies such as UMG are able to do all the sides of revenue themselves. This is a lot easier as less contact is needed etc.
revenue
- record sales including downloads
- broadcast income (payment from radio/TV broadcast)
- licensing to other labels
- secondary licensing-films/TV/adverts
- inter nation sales and licensing
success of groups such as Franz Ferdinand means Domino can invest in other, less popular artists.
The online revenue includes web 2.0, convergence and internet. This means the availability of illegal downloads, downloads, streaming sites, youtube etc. The debate is that the convergence of technology is ruining the music industry in terms of whether the artists that are getting signed are actually talented or not.
Independent labels such as Domino tend to care a lot more about music than money made from music, therefore you tend to see a lot of artists signed to them that you have not heard of before. This means they that do not make as much money as multinational labels such as UMG and therefore may not last much longer. This means that without the money to do so they cannot afford to give music away for free, not that this may even work because the artists they have are not very well known or popular. This is a problem because the amount of CDs being sold are increasing majorly so how else will they be able to see their music? Because the independent labels use the horizontal integrated structure this means that they will have to pay people to distribute and promote the music for them which would cost a huge amount of money.
I agree with this statement strongly. I feel that the independent labels will very much struggle with the technology convergence and online revolutions.
Useful quotes.
"the online revenue is shaking the foundations of the music industry."
"the internet meant that they didn't need a marketing machine."
"this technology is shaking the music industry to its core"
"the new comers often teach the establishment how it should be done."
"young people see downloading as part of their musical education."
"illegal downloading leaves a hole in the music revenue."
"the internet robs the record labels of control."
The 4 major record labels earn 80% of the profits.
An example of a band who became big without a record label.
Artic Monkeys used social network sites (such as myspace). Their friend uploaded their unfinished music for people to download for free. They then signed to a subsidiary label, Domino to realease their first albumn which became no1.
An example of an artists who used a record label to become famous and then decided to go independant.
Mick Hucknall from Simply Red used to be signed to a record label. This record label helped him to be advertised and promoted but then from the influence of new comers he desided to become independent.
Warner made £179 million profit. <--- It could be that they need that profit to combat
Mick made £20 million proft. illegal downloading.
File sharers (pirates)
Sites such as Napster uploaded their CDs in millions for people to be able to download them for free. This progessed to 80million people sharing music.
Peer to peer sites decreased record labels profits from 40 billion to 30 billion.
20 thousand people have been sued for illegal downloading.
Independant labels such as Domino are known as being a more traditional label in that they follow the horizontal integration structure. It uses other companies to handle different aspects of the production, marketing, promotion and distribution as it does not own these facilities itself. Recently this is becoming a real struggle as there is so much more need for other aspects of production now that it is hard to manage all these different aspects without doing it with your own facilities. Multinational companies such as UMG are able to do all the sides of revenue themselves. This is a lot easier as less contact is needed etc.
revenue
- record sales including downloads
- broadcast income (payment from radio/TV broadcast)
- licensing to other labels
- secondary licensing-films/TV/adverts
- inter nation sales and licensing
success of groups such as Franz Ferdinand means Domino can invest in other, less popular artists.
The online revenue includes web 2.0, convergence and internet. This means the availability of illegal downloads, downloads, streaming sites, youtube etc. The debate is that the convergence of technology is ruining the music industry in terms of whether the artists that are getting signed are actually talented or not.
Independent labels such as Domino tend to care a lot more about music than money made from music, therefore you tend to see a lot of artists signed to them that you have not heard of before. This means they that do not make as much money as multinational labels such as UMG and therefore may not last much longer. This means that without the money to do so they cannot afford to give music away for free, not that this may even work because the artists they have are not very well known or popular. This is a problem because the amount of CDs being sold are increasing majorly so how else will they be able to see their music? Because the independent labels use the horizontal integrated structure this means that they will have to pay people to distribute and promote the music for them which would cost a huge amount of money.
I agree with this statement strongly. I feel that the independent labels will very much struggle with the technology convergence and online revolutions.
Useful quotes.
"the online revenue is shaking the foundations of the music industry."
"the internet meant that they didn't need a marketing machine."
"this technology is shaking the music industry to its core"
"the new comers often teach the establishment how it should be done."
"young people see downloading as part of their musical education."
"illegal downloading leaves a hole in the music revenue."
"the internet robs the record labels of control."
The 4 major record labels earn 80% of the profits.
An example of a band who became big without a record label.
Artic Monkeys used social network sites (such as myspace). Their friend uploaded their unfinished music for people to download for free. They then signed to a subsidiary label, Domino to realease their first albumn which became no1.
An example of an artists who used a record label to become famous and then decided to go independant.
Mick Hucknall from Simply Red used to be signed to a record label. This record label helped him to be advertised and promoted but then from the influence of new comers he desided to become independent.
Warner made £179 million profit. <--- It could be that they need that profit to combat
Mick made £20 million proft. illegal downloading.
File sharers (pirates)
Sites such as Napster uploaded their CDs in millions for people to be able to download them for free. This progessed to 80million people sharing music.
Peer to peer sites decreased record labels profits from 40 billion to 30 billion.
20 thousand people have been sued for illegal downloading.
Monday 14 February 2011
Domino Records
1. What differences do you notice between Domino and Universal in terms of artists and genres?
Domino Records are for more niche artists. They are more into their music than getting money. Many of their artists are not well known.
2. a) How would you describe Domino’s target audience(s)?
It is very much for artists who are not well known. I would say that the target audience is between 18 - 35. The artists seem fairly indie/rock.
It allows you to listen and watch the music for free.
3. a) Have you heard of any artists on their roster? Which ones?
The only artists I have heard of are Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.
Domino Records are for more niche artists. They are more into their music than getting money. Many of their artists are not well known.
2. a) How would you describe Domino’s target audience(s)?
It is very much for artists who are not well known. I would say that the target audience is between 18 - 35. The artists seem fairly indie/rock.
b) How does the label address and appeal to its audience?
Domino records sell tickets and merchandise. This appeals to the audience as it gives them a chance to buy things that maybe they wouldn't be able to else where.It allows you to listen and watch the music for free.
3. a) Have you heard of any artists on their roster? Which ones?
The only artists I have heard of are Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.
b) Why do you think a high profile artist might sign to Domino?
They may get more attention than the other bands as they are not well known. To gain wider publishing.
4. Find out about the Archie Bronson Outfit, a group signed to Domino. What strategies is the label using to promote and distribute their music?
5. How has convergence affected the label?
Because Domino is an independant label they allow artists to have more of their own freedom. This means that they do not receive as much money as major record labels therefore any sort of recession would affect the label. Technological convergence really does affect Domino as far more people are downloading music illegal - not paying any money at all rather than buying the CDs. This affects the money that Domino would receive.
Because Domino is an independant label they allow artists to have more of their own freedom. This means that they do not receive as much money as major record labels therefore any sort of recession would affect the label. Technological convergence really does affect Domino as far more people are downloading music illegal - not paying any money at all rather than buying the CDs. This affects the money that Domino would receive.
Sunday 13 February 2011
Technological convergence in the music industry
converge - put together/combine
Technologies that have been converged:
I phone - telecommunications
- email
- GPS
- music
- video games
- radio
- TV
- internet
- camera
The boundaries between media forms are beginning to blur.
Audiences are no longer perceive media platforms as seperate, due to technological convergence.
e.g. the internet IS television and music for some consumers.
Web 2.0 - a way in which the internet has changed over the past 10 years
- the ways in which consumers have become producers.
- labels can promote and distribute music directly.
- cheaper and easier to distribute music.
Convergence...
Technologies that have been converged:
I phone - telecommunications
- GPS
- music
- video games
- radio
- TV
- internet
- camera
The boundaries between media forms are beginning to blur.
Audiences are no longer perceive media platforms as seperate, due to technological convergence.
e.g. the internet IS television and music for some consumers.
Web 2.0 - a way in which the internet has changed over the past 10 years
- the ways in which consumers have become producers.
- labels can promote and distribute music directly.
- cheaper and easier to distribute music.
Convergence...
- Narrows gaps between producers and audiences
- Allows audience to access content instantly
- Opens up opportunities for any artist to promote their work - record labels are no longer the only gate ways.
- Offers free distribution - digital music does not need to be physically copied, packaged or transported.
- Allows audience to steal music.
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