-
Last Week Is Indeed Old News, Time To 'Turn The Page'
May 19, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
"The world is poised on the cusp of an economic and cultural shift as dramatic as that of the Industrial Revolution. (OK, it doesn't take a genius, or even a politician, to figure out that big changes are afoot when we have a medium that lets someone throw up a virtual storefront on the Web and instantly gain access to the global market.)"
-- From Random Access by Steven Levy, Newsweek, July 7, 1997.Last week I wrote in the newsletter (based on a news story): " Almost 700 million people are online, which means in short time there will be one billion. Anyone who sees that number as a threat to their existing business model(s) is looking at the glass as half empty instead of half full and topping off fast."
I didn't expect that when I wrote the words "short time" that they would mean a week later. A new research report released this week (see first news story below ' One Billion People Have Internet Access' ) says the there are now one billion already online. The speed at which technology is enveloping the planet is indeed increasing in extra potential dynamics.
While these dynamics are taking place by the nanosecond, they are obviously causing dramatic shifts in the way almost all companies do business. I realize that's not news to any of us, but it's a fact that many companies are still trying to grasp on a daily basis. That means many companies will disappear as their competition strategize methods to stay ahead of the oncoming curves they'll face down the cyberspace highway.
As I also said last week, that one billion number means "there's a great big dynamic marketplace that's waiting to be exploited by those who act swift enough to capitalize on the single greatest "one stop" of all."
While CD sales continue to decline and online digital download sales increase, it is more imperative than ever for all the major labels, the RIAA, and the independent labels, to unite for their common good: survival. That might sound too harsh, but never before has a technological revolution so changed the way the way all businesses do business on a daily basis.
The Internet can enhance a company's image, build customer loyalty, and get information to customers and potential customers quickly and at less cost than ever before possible. The potential to directly "connect" with consumers and fans of artists is unlimited and the Internet is an active versus a passive medium. That means the person "connecting' with the company or individual artist/group, is more likely to be captured as a consumer and more likely to remain engaged in seeking more information. Hence, more customer loyalty and eventual retention.
One billion people online. And growing by the minute.
" We are experiencing one of the great phenomena of the last few centuries. The Internet will change everything and everyone. You now have the opportunity to profit from this revolution." -- Clark Sampson of Netspace, Inc.
Mr. Sampson said that a few years ago. Some people heard what he said, others didn't.
One Billion People Have Internet Access
More than one billion people in the world have access to the Internet, with a quarter of them with broadband, or high-speed connections according to a survey. The report by the firm eMarketer said the milestone of one billion was reached in late 2005, and that nearly 250 million households had broadband connections.
The firm estimates that of these people, 845 million use the Internet regularly. The United States is still number one in terms of numbers of Internet users with 175 million, and broadband households, 43.7 million.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Transferring Music Ruled Legal In Australia
Transferring music from CDS onto iPods and other MP3 players will no longer be illegal after federal cabinet agreed to make sweeping changes to copyright laws.
But beware the trap of downloading from the internet. The Government will increase surveillance and fines on internet piracy in a package to be announced by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today.
Once the new laws are passed, "format shifting" of music, newspapers and books from personal collections onto MP3 players will become legal. The new laws will also make it legal for people to tape television and radio programs for playback later, a practice currently prohibited although millions of people regularly do it.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Syncing High-def Music With Digital Generation
Elvis Presley would judge the recording quality of his songs by whether the sound "moved him or not," says music producer Elliot Mazer. After four decades producing some of the recording industry's biggest artists -- everyone from Janis Joplin to Switchfoot -- Mazer has developed his own test. He asks himself: "Can you enjoy the music when it's playing at a low level?"
In the digital age, too often the answer is no. Much is lost when cramming Joplin's booming vocals or the rich guitar play of Pete Townshend or Jimi Hendrix into tiny digital files, Mazer says.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Public Gets Peek At Windows Media Player 11
Taking aim at the dominance of Apple Computer, Microsoft this week is launching a test version of a revamped jukebox aimed at trying to knock iTunes down a peg.
Microsoft plans to make the beta of Windows Media Player 11 available for free to Windows XP users on Wednesday, but some consumers got an earlier look by scooping up a portable device optimized for the new jukebox. The new media player is Microsoft's latest attempt to unseat Apple, whose sales of both music and digital music players have consistently outpaced those of competitors.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Radio Tuning out MySpace
A cadre of radio programmers at the recent Musexpo conference in Los Angeles were quick to sound the death knell for the hugely successful social networking site, now owned by News Corp. But the proclamations of doom may actually be the sounds of their egos in denial. Three of the four panelists at the radio session denied needing MySpace to help find new music acts.
This was a particularly humorous discussion since the drubbing came right after Kevin Stapleford, vice president of programming for modern rock XTRA (91X) San Diego, had just finished talking about how his station airs a weekly specialty show called "Heard It on MySpace," which features acts gleaned from the Web site.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Record Industry Sues XM Satellite
The recording industry on Tuesday sued XM Satellite Radio, alleging that its music-storing Inno device infringes on copyrights and transforms a passive radio experience into the equivalent of a digital download service like iTunes.
A representative of the Recording Industry Association of America, comprised of major labels such as Vivendi Universal's Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI Group and Sony BMG, said the suit was filed on Tuesday in New York federal court.
The suit accuses XM Satellite of "massive wholesale infringement" and seeks $150,000 in damages for every song copied by XM customers using the devices, which went on sale earlier this month. XM, with more than 6.5 million subscribers, said it plays 160,000 different songs every month.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Musician Moby Raises Voice For Net Neutrality
Net neutrality believers have officially ordained a celebrity poster child.Musician-turned-cafe-proprietor Moby turned up on Capitol Hill on Thursday to urge passage of a proposal by Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey that would write Net neutrality principles into law. Sporting his signature dark-rimmed glasses, with his head clean-shaven as usual, the artist said that a world without legally binding Net neutrality principles would mean that today's "egalitarian" Internet would be privatized by large telecommunications companies.
"Here we have a system that works fine," the Grammy-nominated musician said in his customary mild-mannered tone, referring to what Net neutrality advocates tout as the Internet's historically open architecture. "Why do we want to change anything?"
The concept of Net neutrality says that network operators should not be allowed to charge content providers extra for the privilege of faster delivery or other preferential treatment.
Moby's not the only musician who feels Net neutrality is the right way to go. A newly formed group identifying itself as Artists and Musicians for Internet Freedom now includes rockers REM and Wilco, country act the Dixie Chicks, and hip-hop artist Q-Tip, among others.
Read more about it by clicking here.
DA-DOO-RON-RON-RON TO COURT
Phil Spector will have his day in court. While the record producer seems to have succeeded in delaying his murder trial indefinitely, a judge denying his bid to delay civil proceedings involving his former assistant until his criminal case is completed.
POWTER TO PLAY IDOL FINALE
Daniel Powter, whose hit song "Bad Day" has been used as the soundtrack for the Idol goodbye montages over the course of the season (and driven the song to the top of the charts), performing live on the performance finale May 23.
THERE IS NO WAY TO OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OR OUTLAST THE TAXMAN
Original Survivor winner Richard Hatch sentenced to four years, three months in prison Tuesday for tax evasion and perjury. (He'd better hope his fellow inmates didn't see the first season and his walking around nude)
GRACELAND JR?
A group of investors paying $905,100 for a modest home in Memphis that Elvis Presley purchased just as his career was taking off. Plans for the home include restoring it to its original 1956 appearance and then opening it to the public.
MCCARTNEY MARRIAGE MELTDOWN
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney separating after four years of marriage.
E-BAY SELLS ROCK MEMORABILIA
MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation selling off items signed by music royalty, including guitars bearing the John Hancocks of B.B. King, The Edge, Slash and Bruce Springsteen in a Grammy Charity Online Auction on eBay. The auction runs through May 25.
IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW
Elliott Yamin was sent home on Wednesday's 'American Idol' show. Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks (the odds on favorite) will now vie for the 2006 winner title.
I AM HE, AS YOU ARE ME, AND SHE IS ME NOW TOO
Ashlee Simpson launching her 'I Am Me Tour' June 5 in Santa Barbara. No word yet whether 'I Am Me' means with or without lip-synching.
CLIVE DAVIS HONORED
On Wednesday's 'American Idol' show, RCA Music Group chief Clive Davis was honored for his part in helping guide IDOL winners and runner-ups to success with a total of over 33 million American Idol albums sold (includes singles download sales and retail sales) for Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice. (After the new winner is crowned in a week, that number is likely to go well over 40 million in the coming year )
COMING SOON!
- Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way (5/23)
- Def Leppard, Yeah! (5/23)
- Ralph Stanley, Distant Land to Roam (5/30)
- Zero 7, The Garden (6/6)
- The Replacements, Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? The Best Of (6/13)
2006 Industry Conferences
Date Name Location Streaming Media East 2006 May 23-24 New York Home Entertainment 2006 June 1-4 Los Angeles
Quotes of the week
"I accidentally dropped my Viagra pills in the toilet ... now I can't get the seat to go down!"
-- Garry Shandling in the Enquirer"There's only two people in the world you should lie to -- the police and your girlfriend."
-- Jack Nicholson in In Touch."Forbes magazine has come out with their list of the richest people in the world. Eighty-year-old Fidel Castro, Mr. Communism, is near the top of the list - they say he's worth over $900-million. And today, when she heard this, Anna Nicole Smith hopped in an inner tube and started paddling to Cuba."
-- Jay Leno"The Tony nominations are out. The Oprah thing, "The Color Purple" has been nominated for 12 Tony's. I'm thrilled, it's nice to see something finally going Oprah's way."
-- David Letterman
NARIP Information
NARIP (The National Association of Record Industry Professionals) promotes career advancement, education and good will among record executives. To find out more about this great organization, how you can join or attend their events, just go to: www.narip.com.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TAX DOLLARS HARD AT WORK IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM: ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- A Missouri high school teacher has apologized for asking students to write about whom they would kill and how they would do it. He said it was a horrible mistake he regrets. Michael Maxwell said the request to describe how students would carry out a murder was merely a writing exercise. Maxwell teaches a beginning drafting class and it's not clear why he asked the class to write fiction. School officials in St. Joseph said the teacher will likely keep his job.
"He's an exemplary person ... this is very out of character," the principal said.
(My opinion for what it's worth: If this is an "exemplary person" our public schools are worse off then we ever imagined.)
-
-