Who Wants to Invest in Music These Days? Lots of People

By Glenn Peoples (@billboardglenn), Nashville

If you have read newspapers and blogs in the last few years, you know there's no money to be made in music. So why are billions being invested in music companies? Is there really that much dumb money going into the wrong industry instead of following the smart money elsewhere?

The record industry is a sinking ship, yet Warner Music Group attracted numerous bidders and EMI is likely to see similar interest. The publishing industry also faces uncertainty, but publishing assets are constantly bought and sold. Years have passed since the record label was supposed to have died, but new labels are sprouting up every week.

There's a reason for this difference between popular sentiment and reality: the music business is not a monolithic entity. Recorded music is just one segment of the industry. Live events, merchandise and publishing are also major parts of the industry. Beyond the more traditional areas of the business are artist services companies like Sonicbids, mobile app developers like Mobile Roadie, ticketing companies like Eventbrite and a slew of information-based startups like the Echo Nest that are helping build the next generation of music companies.

The truth is the music business is still a place where entrepreneurs and investors are willing to take risks. In fact, investment opportunities exist because some investors mistakenly believe all music companies face the same types of disruption.

As Brad Svrluga of High Peaks Venture Partners concedes in a post at Forbes.com, music startups that require licenses to sell downloads or stream music definitely face some tough challenges. But he saw opportunity in Pump Audio, which helped transform music licensing and was sold to Getty Images less than 18 months after High Peaks invested in the company. "If we had let the broader challenges of consumer distribution of music obscure the opportunity inherent in providing a better solution for soundtrack music to an explosion of video content for rapidly proliferating cable networks and web video businesses, we would've missed a real winner," he writes.

Like licensing, ticketing is another area ripe for disruption. High Peaks took part in the fall 2009 first-round funding of ticketing startup Ticketfly. The company announced $12 million in second-round funding last week, and other ticketing startups have received tens of millions in venture capital over the last three years. "Their plan for this year forecasts greater than 100% growth over last year," writes Svrluga. "I'll be damned if they didn't beat their Q1 number by 25%."

Investors are not even dissuaded from the traditional record industry. Warner Music Group has received three bids of $3 billion or more. The company has also received a number of bids for just one of its two divisions. Live Nation is reported to have bid on Warner's recorded music division just over a year after its merger with Ticketmaster typified the upside seen in event-oriented business models.

The key to investing in a record and publishing company is to not overpay. You see, corporate valuation is both art and science. The science is the easier part. Put numbers in a spreadsheet and arrive at a number. The art is accurately estimating the future value of a company in an era of tremendous upheaval. The art is in knowing which assumptions to build into that spreadsheet. If you guess wrong, if you overestimate the cash flows to be generated by intangible assets in the next ten or 20 years, or if you're too optimistic about the positive impact the merger will have on revenues and expenses, you can pay too much and get bogged down in debt. This was the case of the 2007 acquisition of EMI. Terra Firma simply overpaid at a time when the credit markets made possible such a leveraged buyout.

So Warner's bidders need to make sure they don't overpay. Warner is definitely a good investment at $1 billion. Even $2 billion. A $3 billion price tag offers less room for downside. But even at $3 billion, there are still a handful of bidders willing to buck conventional wisdom and risk money on a traditional music company.

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Unpaid Internships: Do They Make Sense Anymore?

 You know the drill: fetch some coffee, answer the phones, kiss some butt, and hope it all goes somewhere.  It's the unpaid internship, a well-worn rite of passage in the music industry.  But does this make sense anymore, especially with so many established companies struggling and cutting back?  And remember: there's less guarantee than ever that you'll get a gig, so can you afford that risk?
 
That was a huge question over the weekend at a conference held by the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) in Los Angeles, one heavily attended by soon-to-be-graduating college students.

Naturally, the question came up, and most executives supported the free internship as a perfect and often necessary shoe-in.  In fact, most felt it was critical.  Keith Hatschek, currently director of Music Management at University of the Pacific, said internships easily gave candidates a clear edge - and oftentimes made the hands-down difference.  "And if you have a letter of recommendation, then you're way ahead of the competition," Hatschek relayed.  "I was an employer for 23 years, and I never hired someone because they had a 4.0 grade point."

Others successfully climbed from the intern ranks themselves, and strongly backed the idea.  "I took an internship with ASCAP after I graduated, for no credit and no money," relayed Alisha Davis, currently Associate Membership Representative for Film & TV at the company.  "I was an outstanding intern, and they did everything they could to get me a job and get me hired.  So I moved out [to LA] on Sunday, and started working on Monday."

Sounds like an easy formula, but it is really that simple anymore?  For example, is your target company hiring when you need them to be hiring?  Will they still be around in a few years?  Or, can you parlay the internship into a real gig somewhere else when it matters, especially in a shrinking industry?

Maybe these questions are easier in California, where employers are required by law to either pay an employee or give college credit.  So there's less downside, but others face more difficult questions related to their financial situations and opportunity costs.  Yet even in situations where there's no money, no credit, and difficult prospects, most interns can still walk away with some experience, a recommendation or two, and a better working knowledge of the business.  But remember: this is still a heavy investment of time and money that assumes future rewards, and a decision worth weighing carefully.

Source: Digital Music News

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Where Will IdOMusic Show Up Next?

Looking forward to the next IdOMusic Event?  Go ahead and take the initiative to let us know about music events happening in your city. If you have an event created to empower musicians we want to know! Send us information and we'll post on the site. 

In order to build up our music communities, we must continue to refine our networks daily. Send all information to Osman Bangura.

Do More, Say Less!

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Events: The Return of ATLBeatBattle

 Looking to network with some of the best producers and songwriters in the city of Atlanta? Make sure you attend The ATL BEAT BATTLE taking place Tuesday night. Please don't make excuses if music is your passion. Your network is priceless. This is a can't miss event! We will have IdOMusic® Reps in the building as well. Lets WERK!

What: Networking Event for Producers & Songwriters

When: Tuesday, April 5th

Where: The Music Room

Contact:  Jas- 404.207.6717

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Rebecca Black Is Seeing Green

Rebecca Black’s “Friday” could reach iTunes top 10, maybe even iTunes number one. Rebecca Black’s “Friday” iTunes assent is unlikely anything in recent memory. For a song that has some critics calling the “Worse Ever” and some fans praising as great, the question remains how high it will go.

On Friday, “Friday” had literally leaped over Katy Perry and Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never”. While critics have relished in hatred reports about the singer songwriter, who admits she didn’t write the song nor its peculiar lyrics, those same critics might be silenced if Black reaches the top ten.

With Jennifer Lopez, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, and the equally often criticized Ke$ha sitting in the top ten, Black, if she breaks the top ten, would be the only artist to sit atop the iTunes Top 100 chart (located HERE) without a major label backing.

Black is not a host of American Idol nor Island Def Jam Records. But instead her mother spent a mere $2,000 to Ark Music Factory to produce a music video and deliver her the song. Now she is passes music industry leaders, left and right, all days of the week.



While some may not comprehend how twelve million views on YouTube of a music video can lead to financial success, the explanation rests on iTunes. Simply clicking Rebecca Black’s iTune’s listing you will see the answer.

Unlike Enrique or Gaga or Britney, “Friday” doesn’t bare a copyright notice to a major music label. The song claims ownership by simply “Rebecca Black.” Compared to other artists who share major percentages, Black is bring more money to the bank for every iTunes sales, every Friday, Friday.

Source: LALATE

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L.A. Reid's Farewell Letter to Island Def Jam Staff

Last week Antonio "L.A" Reid resigned from his post at Island Def Jam to become a judge on Simon Cowell's "X Factor" television show. Billboard.biz was able to obtain the text of his farewell letter sent to the staff.

"Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand."

-Colin Powell


To my Island Def Jam family:


After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group.


I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.


I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today's most phenomenal superstars - Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.


I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.


With Warm Regards -
LA

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Dj Tips: Make Eye Contact

 Some of the best DJs in the world are known for their ability to read a crowd and give them what they want. It should be no surprise that the secret to their crowd reading success is that they never take their eyes off their crowd!

According to Ezine @rticles.com, “Researchers who study relationships have discovered that a big difference between those people who make new friends easily, and those who don’t, is that socially successful people tend to make eye contact with their conversation partners much more frequently than those who are less successful socially.”

That’s a big problem I see with a lot of club DJs in my city: they never give their audience the time of day. Their eyes are glued to the equipment in front of them and they are in their own world.

To build a healthy dance floor requires trust between the DJ and this crowd. From the information above, we can clearly see that there’s actually a connection between eye contact and people dancing to your music. In a way, you are building temporary relationships with your audience. Making eye contact with a person in the club and smiling at them tells that person, “I’m glad to see you here and I want you to trust me, so I can take you where you want to be taken.”

Eye contact is especially important for digital DJs who use a laptop, and not so much for DJs who use traditional media (CDJs and turntables), because the laptop can create a barrier between the DJ and the crowd. Laptop DJs can also fall victim to the “checking email” syndrome and get lost in their screen. I combat this barrier by actually placing my laptop at an angle to the right or the left, depending on the booth I’m playing in. Either way, you should step away from the laptop every so often and let the crowd see yo grill.

You can win the crowd over simply by paying attention to them! You can also build your following while you mix because all this technique requires is looking at your audience. Lack of eye contact is probably the reason why the DJs who never look at their crowds put on the poorest performances.

For more dj tips check out www.djtechtools.com

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Convert Your Fans From Offline to Online

Saying "Check out my website," is equilvant to saying Hello and Goodbye in the same sentence. It is time to reinvent the way you connect to your fans. Below is five effective methods to bring real time fans to your virtual world.

1. QR Codes

With smartphone adoption increasing rapidly, QR codes are becoming a great novelty way to create a scannable link to your website – the novelty is certainly still there and if you incentivise fans to use the code with exclusive content then it can be a very effective way to drive traffic.

2. Stickers

I am a firm believer in using branded stickers for promoting bands as they tick all the boxes – they’re a cool gift for fans, they’re cheap, they sustain a long period of time and have the potential to be seen by a large number of people depending on where they’re stuck. These days you can get a fair amount of stickers from Vistaprint.com for under a tenner, so there really is no excuse.

Including a web address on your sticker is a must, as branding is only worthwhile if it leads on to an opportunity for people to convert and become an advocate of your music. Leading them on to your website is an excellent way to do just that.

3. Mention Your Website on Stage

When you’re on stage you have a great opportunity to drive people to your website – all you need to do is mention the URL of your website and give them a good enough reason to go there. In my experience, one of the most compelling things to offer at a live gig are the photos or videos of the audience, as everyone enjoys trying to spot themselves in the crowd!

4. Word of Mouth Campaigns

What do you do when you hear a rumour about a band? Chances are you head straight to Google or the bands official website to confirm the rumour and find out more. By doing interesting things and deliberately creating rumours you will intrigue fans enough to naturally want to visit your website. This is why Lady Gaga’s outfits are always a hit – as people start asking “did you see Lady Gaga’s meat / hair / nun dress?”, which is so out of the ordinary that it intrigues and encourages you to find out more.

5. Business Cards

Similarly to stickers, business cards are another effective way to market your self relatively cheaply. If you regularly attend music industry conferences (which you should be) then these are a must. You can even use a service such as DropCards to give people a free download code on your business card, so that they also get to download a free MP3 of your music.

Source: KnowTheMusic.biz

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Foursquare Updates Features For Music Fans

Foursquare, the location "check-in" service that launched two years ago at SXSW, last night updated its service with a range of new features just in time to show them off at the same show again this year.

They include:

-- An "Explore" tab -- a discovery feature that provides recommendations on where to go nearby based on users' past check ins and that of their friends and other users.

-- A new points system and leader board designed to encourage users to check in to new and different locations

-- Loyalty features that include deals participating merchants can offer users who are repeat customers. Venues can reward large groups of customers who check-in at once, regulars, first-time customers. And the app will display nearby places offering these specials as well.


Taken together, the goal of the updated service is to get back to its gaming roots.

Foursquare was a pioneer in the "gamification" of life that is becoming a hot trend among new entertainment services and apps. But ironically, Foursquare in the two years since launch has become more of a tool than a game. The company is taking these steps to return to its gaming form.

But more importantly for the music industry, the changes are designed to drive people to new places where they can spend time and money. To date, there's not been a whole lot of interaction between Foursquare and the music industry. That's because too much time has been spent worrying about how artists and labels can use Foursquare. The low-hanging fruit are venue owners -- think small clubs, and yes… even record stores.

In addition to the new features, Foursquare struck a deal with American Express through which Foursquare users can link their AMEX account to the app, allowing merchants to provide the specials mentioned above to cardholders. Merchants will be able to send push notifications on new deals as well.

Check out all the new merchant features on the Foursquare blog.


The company now claims 7.5 million users (from 5,000 after the 2009 SXSW launch) and more than 50 employees (from 12 last year). In 2010 alone, the service registered more than 500 million check ins. Over a quarter of a million businesses use Foursquare to reach these users today.

The music business can't afford to wait for Foursquare to develop some kind of special app or feature just for them. It's up to the businesses in this industry to take the ball and run with it.

Source: Billboard.biz

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History Lesson: KRS ONE Breaks Down The Beginning

You love to hear the story, again and again. In this video, KRS ONE speaks on "Emcee Etiquette" and the truth behind the battle with MC Shan. It is very important to know the history behind hip hop and some of the early battles.



Good look on the video ELJAY. Check out The New Content for more exclusive interviews.

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Digital Times: iCrates iPhone App 1.1

Are you ready for what is being billed as the ultimate search tool for record collectors and crate diggers?

The iCrates app gives you instant access to the biggest music database and marketplaces such as Discogs, eBay, Amazon, and iTunes. It allows you to search for artist , releases and labels on the go. You can listen to audio and samples, watch videos and share findings with friends on Twitter, Facebook, and by email.

Check out the demo video below and visit the iCrates for more info.

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Video: Steve Rifkind Set On An Odd Future

Steve Rifkind has done plenty in the music business spanning two decades. Loud Records and SRC Records brought us Wu Tang Clan as well as Mobb Deep and Big Pun. In this interview with Al Lindstrom he talks about the industry issues and makes note of wanting to sign Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All.



Source: Al Lindstrom

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Who's Werking?

SESSION REPORT For Immediate Release Contact: Toya Elise Brown 404-874-9880 FEBRUARY 2011 SESSION REPORT Who Werked in STUDIO 9000? R&B soul singer and songwriter, K. Michelle, who is often compared to R&B singer Keyshia Cole, recently released her debut album entitled Pain Medicine. With two hit singles "Fallin" and "I Just Cant Do This" and another one called "How Many Times", Pain Medicine was one of the top anticipated albums of 2011. K Michelle has worked with many artists such as R. Kelly, Trina, Gucci FAME, and many others. K. Michelle was recently having songs mixed at PatchWerk studios by Leslie Brathwaite, assisted by PatchWerk engineer Muzzy Solis. Rapper/singer/record producer B.o.B. was recently nominated for 5 Grammys at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for his hit single "Nothing on You" ft. Bruno Mars. Though Bobby did not walk away with any awards, it has not stopped him from getting back into the studio to record more hits. Most recently B.oB. was in PatchWerk studios working with PatchWerk engineer Dee Brown. Other sessions in 9000 included those for Pastor Troy (D. Brown), Audio (D. Brown), Mo Pain (S. Firkins / L. Banks), Gucci Mane (K. Anders), Keshelle (M. Wilson), Cribs (Stikuhbush/L. Banks), Young Jeezy (L. Brathwaite), Money Man (L. Brathwaite) Matty B (N. Jenkins) TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 9000 CALL 404-874-9880 Who Werked in STUDIO 995? East Atlanta's very own Gucci Mane is back and ready to release his new mixtape The Return of Mr. Zone 6. The mixtape will be a collaboration effort between Gucci Mane and producer Drumma Boy. Gucci Mane has also revealed that his album The State Vs. Radric Davis was only the first installment of a three-part series of albums. The third and final album will be titled The Final Verdict. Gucci was in PatchWerk Studios for almost the entire month of February having several songs recorded and mixed for the album by PatchWerk engineer Kori Anders. Rapper, Tity Boi's latest project Codeine Cowboy, was released February 21, 2011.The mixtape,which is hosted by DJ Teknikz is already receiving many positive reviews . Recently Tity Boi was in PatchWerk studios working alongside PatchWerk engineer Dee Brown. Other sessions in 995 included those for Denali (M. Wilson), El Dorado Red (K. Anders), Audio (M. Wilson), Big Champ (M. Wilson), Curtiz (D. Brown), SouthWest Click (Flip Gucci/M. Carter), Joe Beast (M. Wilson), Triggah (M. Wilson), Phil Will (M. Wilson), Parsitra (D. Brown), Divine Law (M. Wilson), Hollywood (M. Carter), YC (M. Carter), Julian Herrera (M. Wilson), Palb (R. Seay/ D. Brown), Chubby Baby (C. Hammond), Zy White (D. Brown), (TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 995 CALL 404-874-9880) Who's Werking in STUDIO 1019? Regina Belle is a singer-songwriter who first surfaced in the late 1980s. She is notable for her Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World". Other hit singles of hers include "Baby Come to Me", "Make it Like it Was", and "If I Could". This past February Regina Belle stopped by PatchWerk Studios to work with PatchWerk engineer Luther Banks. Other sessions in 1019 included those for DJ Holiday (D. Brown), Magail Moore (M. Wilson), J Wezz (M. Wilson), Boom (M. Carter), Nicole (M. Carter), Skee (D. Brown), Hollywood (N. Jenkins), J Bean (D. Brown), Yelawolf (M. Wilson), Crook Brown (Khalifani), Mo Pain (L. Banks), Ready Writerz (M. Carter), Jim Jones (L. Banks), Ms Chris (L. Banks), Just Us (L. Banks), Netta (L. Banks), Quinn D (M. Carter), Keshelle (D. Brown), Boy Stop (B. Friesen), Jody Breeze (D. Brown), Sho (D. Brown) TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 1019 CALL 404-874-9880 Who's Werking in the MASTERING Suite? Sessions in the mastering suite included those for Trai'D, Trick Trick, J Rich, 2win, Shevy, Nakiia Rosa, El Dorado Red, Gina, Juvenile, Got Cheeze, Da Boi Boi, Lil Walker Boiz, Triggah, Divine Law, 2 Chainz, Chad & Rah Rah. All sessions in the mastering suite were engineered by Kenny Mixx. TO BOOK A MASTERING SESSION CALL 404-874-9880 PatchWerk Recording Studios (www.patchwerk.com) is a world-class recording facility that has catered to the national entertainment industry since opening in 1995. The company, which is centrally located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, has earned a reputation for its excellent sound quality and superb customer service. PatchWerk features Georgia's only SSL 48-channel Duality Console as well as Georgia's only SSL 9000 J Series Console. The larger of the two studio rooms, Studio 9000, features design by industry leader Russ Berger (RBDG). PatchWerk has continuously serviced the top record labels from around the world and has accomodated an endless array of world-renowned talent, including TLC, Beyonce Knowles, Outkast, Usher, Ludacris, the Neptunes, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins and Bow Wow.

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Do It Yourself: Music Management

Learn what managers do by doing management for yourself.

Self management is always a valid option in the developing stages of establishing your career as a musician. Much can be learned by taking on the jobs of securing gigs, getting some publicity, planning tours, dealing with personal issues that arise within the band, and schmoozing with A&R Reps and various other label and publishing personnel.

However, there comes a time, usually when the daily tasks of doing the business of being a band takes up too much time, and it is at this time that the services of a good manager can be very useful. I have always felt that if any musician or band has worked hard to establish their career, and achieved a modicum of success, they will have a better chance to ‘attract’ the services of a professional, well-connected and respected manager.

Today, finding a Manager is very difficult. Managers who do this job for a living can only take on clients that generate income. Making money as a personal manager is no easy task, and many upcoming artists forget that if any moneys are to be generated from their music, it can takes years for the flow of that income to be reliably there. So, as a band develops self-management, or gets help from intern/student managers, the road that heads toward professional management may open up.

Over the years I have heard several horror stories about 'managers’ that approach upcoming acts and say that for X amount of dollars, they can do such and such for the artist. No, this is not the way legit personal manager’s work. Well-connected and respected personal managers get paid a negotiated fee for their services (get it in writing) for any and all business transactions they are responsible for (15%-25%) over a particular contract period. No musicians should ever pay a fee to a so-called ‘manager’ who will not do any work UNLESS they are paid up front. Flim Flam men and women still abound in this business... be forewarned.

One of the most important jobs of a manager is to secure recording and publishing contracts for their clients, this is why it is so essential to choose well connected and well respected managers. The music business is a ‘relationship’ business. Who knows whom, and who can get to the gatekeepers, and who did what successfully, is what this management game is all about. Choose carefully the people who will be representing you in any business dealings.

Source: Music Biz Academy

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Digital Times: MTV launches Music Meter for iOS music discovery app

Played with Aweditorium and Discovr? Here’s one more for the list. MTV has launched MTV Music Meter, an app for iPhone and iPad designed to help people discover new music. “The MTV Music Meter is a daily list of artists trending right now,” explains the blurb. “Discover these artists and others like them through audio samples, photos, recent tweets, news articles, and bios. Or chart your own discovery path by searching through over 1 million artists.” The free app is a spin-off from the website of the same name, launched by MTV last December. That ranks artists by a combination of social media buzz and online video streams, with an aim of spotlighting emerging acts rather than just big names.

Source: Music Ally

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MTV Collaborates with Sony/ATV's Extreme Music to Promote Unsigned Artist

MTV intends on teaming with XTREME MUSIC, the production music arm of Sony/ATV, today announced the launch of HYPE PRODUCTION MUSIC: a newly created, first-of-its-kind hybrid music production and licensing partnership fueled by the very best new and emerging independent talent.

Hype Production Music will empower MTV and Extreme to contract directly with unsigned artists and creatively help them produce new music with vocals that will enjoy first look consideration for key placements across MTV Networks' programming and feed music supervisors' appetites throughout the industry for blog-breaking freshmen bands.

Hype artists will benefit from their songs' inclusion in the Hype Music Library that will be licensed through Extreme's global client base of professional users with the copyright diligence of a major label, but the credibility of an indie. In addition, MTV will serve as music distributor for all contracted songs, delivering music to the artist's fans through multiple digital music services. All revenues from licensing and digital distribution of songs included in the Hype Music Library will be split with 50 percent going to the artist.

"MTV has always been in the business of championing artists on the cusp. With the launch of 'HYPE', MTV has a platform to bring those artists to the forefront within our programming and beyond," said Joe Cuello SVP, Creative Music Integration for MTV. "Day to day we search out the best emerging artists and songs to help tell a story and we are thrilled to be deepening those relationships. In partnership with Extreme, we are able to work hand-in-hand with artists from the start to create and distribute amazing original music."

"It's no secret that the music industry is gasping for air and struggling for ways to break new artists," said Russell Emanuel CEO, Extreme Music. "HYPE's hybrid model as an artist-friendly incubator leveraging its ability to license tracks directly in high profile shows will dramatically boost an act's profile. This is a new breed, second to none career jump-starting opportunity. It's production music on steroids!"

The initial HYPE offerings are slated for release early in 2011 and include: Daniel Chavez Wright (3D Friends), George Byrne, Locksley, Ginger Sling, The Midi Mafia, New Cassettes, Desoto Jones, Theft, National Skyline, Atlantic Line, Hell & Lula, Marc Robillard, The Diamond Light, The New FOs, Lego Johnson, Atlantic Connection and Heavy Young Heathens.

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AllMusic.com Transforms To AllRovi.com

Online music database AllMusic.com is changing its name and domain.

Rovi Corp., the company overseeing the site, is replacing AllMusic with a new website called AllRovi.com, which is designed to combine its music database with its TV and film databases for a one-stop shop for all things entertainment.

AllRovi.com launches today in public beta, following a private test period. It's not clear exactly when it will completely replace AllMusic.com.

Virtually every digital music service -- including iTunes, Napster, Pandora, Shazam, Slacker and Spotify -- relies on AllMusic.com to provide a range of information, from artist biographies at the very least to album reviews, catalog data and more.

According to VP of marketing Dave Jordan, those services will continue without interruption, but with some added features to choose from. Elements of the new site include a recommendation tool that lets users find music by mood, genre or time period. Recommended playlists based around themes like "exercise" or "dinner party" are also included. Additionally, there are original blog posts, reviews, streaming samples and links to buy directly on Amazon.com and iTunes.

While existing customers can continue to use the AllRovi data, the company is gunning to generate more Web traffic of its own. Together, AllMusic.com, AllMovie.com and AllGames.com draw a combined three million unique visitors per month, according to the company.

"We think there is a better entertainment experience out there and we want consumers to use our site to learn about it," Jordan says. "Once they experience the richness and features we provide, they might start looking for it in other devices and want to connect where ever they are.  Of course that is on top of the benefit to Rovi which is to showcase our data and services as an inspiration to our customers and future developers."

Rovi was formerly known as Macrovision, but changed it to Rovi in 2009. In December, it announced plans to acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million in a move meant to expand its interest into content distribution (Sonic Solutions owns movie rental and sales service CinemaNow).

Could a music content acquisition be far behind?

Source: Billboard

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Music Marketing: Quick Response Codes

 Looking to extend special offers or unique content to smart phone users? Perhaps familiarizing yourself with QR codes or "Quick Response" codes could be the answer. QR Codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by most smart phones (via the camera function) and automatically link the mobile user to a marketing offer, website or video.

Consider this a low cost marketing tool musicians can utilize to provide exclusive content to their fans.

There are several free online tools for creating QR Codes including myQR.co and the ZXing Project. The process of creating a QR Code is remarkably simple. Just decide what type of content you want to share.

A unique QR Code image will then be generated and displayed that can be saved to your computer. This image will have the specified url embedded into it and can be scanned by any smart phone with a QR reader and camera functionality. It’s probably worth mentioning that Android based phones come with a QR reader built in but iPhone and Blackberry users will need to download a free QR code reader app.


Music Marketing Ideas for QR Codes

OK, so creating QR Code images is easy and cheap (free!). Now what? Even though some marketers use QR Codes in online campaigns I tend to think offline marketing applications are a better use for this tool. After all if a fan is already online isn’t just clicking a link easier then pulling out a smart phone and taking a picture? In short, any place music fans might be using their smart phone their primary point to access the web could potentially be a good place to use QR codes for music marketing.

Some of the interesting places QR Codes can potentially be used for music marketing include:

1. Tour Flyers / Band Posters
2. The Merch Table
3. Email Sign Up List
4. The Tour Vehicle
5. CD Jackets
6. Business Cards
7. T-Shirts
8. Stickers
9. One Sheets
10. Outside of any Mailed Package

From a fan engagement standpoint the content or offer that is delivered when a QR code is scanned is the primary driver for a successful QR code marketing campaign. Fans experienced with scanning QR codes are expecting to find unique content or a special marketing offer when they scan a QR code. Simply linking a QR code to your band’s website homepage or Facebook Fanpage will only leave your fans disappointed. Also, be sure to consider that when fans scan your QR code will be viewing your content or offer on a smart phone screen. Make sure the content or offer is formatted for easy viewing on a smart phone.

What sort of content or special offers make sense to offer music fans via QR codes? The options are almost endless! Just let creativity and common sense be your guide. Here are a few QR code content or marketing offer ideas:

1. New or unreleased band videos
2. A personal video message from the band
3. Discount codes good for X% off at the merch table
4. Discount codes good for X% off at the band’s webstore
5. Fan contests

Using QR codes can be a fun and unique way to engage your fans when they aren’t on their computer. If you have suggestions on new ways to use feel free to post in the comment section!

Source: Know The Music Biz

What's your take... leave your comments below.

AES & Patchwerk Studios Presents: Analog vs Digital

Don't miss out on an awesome presentation hosted by The Audio Engineering Society Student Chapter and Patchwerk Recording Studios on Saturday, March 5th! We will be educating you on the difference between Analog and Digital formats

We will record both and do listening comparisons. You decide which sounds better!

Call 404-874-9880 for registration.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

Red Bull Music Academy

 Who is werking more than Red Bull? The 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be taking place in Tokyo, Japan and the application process is now open.

Now some of you may be saying: "What Is The Red Bull Music Academy?"

The RBMA is a world traveling workshop, and a platform for artists, musicians, producers, etc. of various genres around the world who shape our musical future. It's a place to meet other artists from around the globe, learn, work on music, network, and hopefully become better at what you do. In a nutshell, it's every motivated musicians dream!

The Red Bull Music Academy has been gathering up-and-coming producers, DJs, and musicians with legends and pioneers of the music world since it began 13 years ago in 1998, every year choosing a new city and music scene to highlight. For 2011 the Academy has chosen Tokyo, Japan as its destination. There they will gather 60 participants with an assortment of music professionals (other artists, journalists, DJs, label heads, studio engineers, etc.) to share ideas, make music, perform, and do all the other things that fall in between. Starting February 2, RBMA will be accepting applicants until April 4, 2011 with the event taking place in Tokyo between October 23 and November 25, 2011.

If you are an musician, singer, emcee, DJ, producer, etc. I STRONGLY encourage you to apply for RBMA. It does not matter if your an artist who makes music from your bedroom for fun, or if you're a Grammy nominated musician, anybody is eligible to apply.

If you've applied before in the past and haven't been chosen, this is a great opportunity to apply again, it costs you nothing to apply and if your selected it's a FREE trip to Tokyo.


"So... How Do I Apply?" - Glad you asked. Feel free to check out this video below to give so some more information on the application process. If your ready to go, head over to RedBullMusicAcademy.com where you can download and print the application.



How To Apply For The Red Bull Music Academy from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.


And I know many of you are NOT artists of any kind at all. Please do not view this as spam. I sent this too you today because we ALL know some very talented people who just need
that chance showcase their talent. This is a great opportunity to do just that, and see the world as well. Feel free to spread the word as best as you can whether it's via facebook or a text message.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Senorkaos@redbullmusicacademy.com

What's your take... leave your comments below.