Cr@zyEye Music Services :: Audio Mixing and Mastering Specialist

Music Gets More Social As It Moves To The Cloud

08Feb

Categories: Trusted Contributor Comments

"Social tools and media are of course already inherently connected and inherently cloud based, whether it be Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. When woven into the fabric of a digital music offering they bring that experience to life. In a connected music experience that exists across multiple devices and multiple platforms, social connectivity is more important than ever. Social connectivity turns a bored 10 minutes waiting for a train into a connected a fun engaged interaction with a friend, sharing playlists on MySpace. It transforms looking for something new to listen to on your iPhone into a social discovery journey."

- Mark Mulligan of Forrester Research

Tags: blogging, Social media

The Super Bowl Still Rocks

08Feb

Categories: Trusted Contributor Comments

(UPDATED) One can certainly fault The Who for a lackluster (aka embarrassing) performance, but you have to admit the music stil matters to the Super Bowl. From the musical connection that many people feel with the winning city New Orleans to the songs used effectively in so many of the ads, the Super Bowl still rocks.

In addition to the worthy Saints, another real winner yesterday was Audi and its clever uses of a re-worked Cheap Trick classic "Dream Police". (Audi offers a free download of the remake here.)

Tags: blogging, Social media

Topspin Shares Impressive Music Marketing Study

08Feb

Categories: Trusted Contributor Comments

Perhaps more than any existing modern music marketing and sales platform Topspin is based on data. They collected it from the beginning, have done enough diverse campaigns to see the trends and have a team to understand the patterns. At a recent MidemNat presentation Topspin co-founder Shamal Ranasinghe shared the most in depth overview of their findings to date.

Some of the important and perhaps surprising trends that Topspin has discovered include the importance of physical goods to many fans and their love of premium offerings. More than half of the transactions in the Topspin study are under $10, but they only accounted for 17% of overall revenue. Rather the majority of revenue for most artists came from items priced $25 and over that included physical items.

Other findings include conversion rates for a variety of marketing activities and channels. Anyone serious about music marketing needs to watch this presentation and read more of the conclusions.

Topspin's Marketing With Data Presentation at Midem

View more presentations from Shamal ranasinghe.

"The point I highlight in the presentation is to approach your first direct to fan campaign as more of an investment in data gathering to understand your fanbase and less of a silver bullet for overnight marketing and distribution success," says Shamal. "With each subsequent campaign you’ll gain more intelligence on the unique dynamic you have with your fans."

The full presentation in its slide form is below. It reads better in full-screen and even more so if you download it in Powerpoint or PDF.

Tags: blogging, Social media

Big Cuts Ahead As EMI Fights For Survival

08Feb

Categories: Trusted Contributor Comments

(UPDATED) Last week EMI reported a $2.4B loss and a March $160M loan payment due CitiGroup. The problem, which started when Terra Firrm paid too much for EMI, leaves the major label group fighting for survival.

In an attempt to put together a restructuring plan that will attract a much needed additional investment from Terra Firma, the company is in high level meetings to cut costs and dramatically grow digital revenue and profits from non-music sales like music merchandise division Loudclothing.

Further reductions in EMI's 3500 strong workforce are also inevitable. The company already reduced staffing by almost 3000 when Guy Hands and Terra Firma bought the music group.

EMI CEO Leoni-Sceti Vows To Fight On

"We will present a compelling new five-year business plan with particular focus on the coming year, according to CEO Eli Leoni-Sceti. "It will involve both an acceleration in revenues coming from product innovation at EMI Music Services and some cost reductions from the introduction of new systems and technology and the elimination of some duplication."

"This will confirm our vision to evolve into a digitally-led music company," he continued. "We have a strong business which is on the right track and that is our best guarantee of our future."

Tags: blogging, Social media

New Music Industry Job Board

07Feb

Categories: Trusted Contributor Comments

Hypebot's exclusive New Music Business Job Board features select paid and internship positions in the music and music technology industries. Current open paid positions include:,

Megaforce MRI Transdreamer (NYC)

Digital-leaning marketing person

Part-time administrative assistant

If you have a music industry job available, Hypebot's Job Board costs just $29 and jobs are featured here, every day in a special job block in Hypebot's center column, as well as on SimplyHired.net sites across the net. Post your jobs here.