Kickstarter fuels Pono

Kickstarter has helped many new and existing entrepreneurs get their career started through crowdfunding funding and other investments. Kickstarter is a global crowdfunding platform headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Through this platform people provide funding through pledges, this generates the income that would initiate the pre-production phase and production phase of the selected project.

Kicksarter supports films, journalism, video games, comics, music, stage shows and food-related projects. The project creators select a deadline and a specific amount to fund the project. If the amount is not met by the deadline the money is not collected from the donors. Some of the most successful projects from Kickstarter include Pebble, Ouya and Pono. On recent news, Pono has been a successful campaign raising over $6 million dollars. Pono is a digital high-end music player designed by rock legend Neil Young. Over 18,000 people worldwide have backed Pono through Kickstarter campaign. Accredited investors can purchase shares from PonoMusic at $5,000 per share.

Social media has played a big role in the success of Kickstarter. Daily you can find a new project advertised via Instagram, Facebook and other social media sites. Social media has given Kickstarter the leverage to reach millions of people worldwide and start a project with the possibility of becoming a big success. The projects can be viewed via their website, although external websites are also created and used as advertisement for social websites. I believe Kickstarter has done a very good job in taking charge of providing a credible platform to promote crowdfunding. Kickstarter has been a very successful company providing the opportunity to promote the collaboration of new ideas.

Reference Links:

https://www.kickstarter.com

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/you-can-now-invest-in-neil-youngs-ponomusic-20140813

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa2rpJtUItE

It Is Time For A Music Revolution

With the introduction of iTunes back in 2001, music has taken a different route with how fans listen to their music.  Going back to the mid 90's, I remember going to my favorite music store "Sam Goody" and waiting in line to pick up a copy of the new release I was waiting for.  There was a special connection from going to the record store and losing myself for hours looking for that special album that would take me to music wonderland.  There was an appreciation that came from looking at the artwork and work put into making an album.  I could read the lyrics, know who wrote each song in the album, and who played what in each song.  You became an instant roadie for the band and there was a connection.  In todays digital world much of this bond and connection has been lost somewhat.  There is something from listening an album from beginning to end, some type of atmosphere that the artist has intentionally created for the fans to experience.

With todays iTunes and Amazon service you can preview a song and probably miss the biggest part of the song.  You can buy one song from the entire album and never know who wrote it or what the lyrics are saying.  You can browse the internet and sometimes you can even purchase the album artwork through iTunes or Amazon if you purchase the entire album, but that is not the point.  The point I am trying to make is that music has lost the connection, the bond, the experience it used to give to its listeners back in the pre-digital era.  Yes, music sounds amazing and it is so convenient to have it as you go.  You don't even have to carry couple of tapes and press forward to find your song or have your CD skip while you are on your car and hit that bump.  There has to be a new music revolution that can bring the music back to its customers and have the young generation experience the wait-in-line Tuesdays to get their new music album.  There has been lately an uprising in Vinyl albums as Nielsen Soundscan has monitored for the last couple of months.  The mid-year report has concluded that 16.6 million declined in CD album sales as the digital streaming keeps increases.  A 40% of Vinyl album sales has increased from last year sales, still not enough to offset the digital sales.  There is still an interest from music fans to get those timeless albums, some now considered classics and add them to their music collection.

There is a unique feeling from showing your friends your Vinyl music connection rather than browsing through your digital music library.  There has to be a better way to market and promote albums in todays digital world.  Independent musicians have experience good income selling their CD's and Vinyls through websites like Tunecore and CDbaby.  These independent websites help artist publish and sell their music without the need of a major record label.  This is just a way how new artists can offer their music to the fans and promote their music.  Independent record store may have to re-model the way music is sold and add some new technology to their business.  Record stores should give the customers the experience of having artist signing autographs for album release and bringing he excitement back.  Lets hope it is time for a music revolution!

Reference Links:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2014-03-27/music/the-vinyl-revival-is-real-and-it-s-here-to-stay/

http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/6150181/soundscan-mid-year-albums-down-stream-equivalents-nearly

Image:

http://i2.wp.com/homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/files/2013/01/cd-clock.jpg?resize=430%2C321

World Wide Mundo Rock: CD Baby Rocks!

World Wide Mundo Rock: CD Baby Rocks!: During this Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution course Eat Full Sail University we have been recently working on a Collabo...

CD Baby Rocks!

During this Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution course Eat Full Sail University we have been recently working on a Collaboration Google doc project.  One of the most interesting topics I’ve discovered while sharing useful information is CD Baby.  This aggregator is one of the most reliable and trusted media websites for independent artists worldwide.  

Independent artists can gain lots of exposure and new ways to reach their fans and the masses.  The artists music can be distributed via music sites like Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon once the music is added to CD Baby website.  Breaking the cycle of having artists have a record deal before music can be distributed is what CD Baby does to the independent artist community.  Through the CD Baby services artist can register their music and royalties will be paid to the artist.  

Music Licensing is also provided to the artist from the PRO package offered in the website.  Other service CD Baby provides is the sale of UPC codes that can be sold via their website, this helps to sell your CD’s through major retail stores that still sell CD’s.  The one-time distribution fee include five main services that are ready to use and include MusicStore for Facebook, Sync Licensing, physical distribution through Amazon, iTunes trending reports, and the highest digital payout of any major retail store.  

The services offered to new and independent artist offers them a big opportunity to succeed in the music industry.  About ten years ago it was nearly impossible for artist to have this freedom with their music unless they have a record company behind them controlling every move.  The independent artist of today has the option to reach the world while having their music protected and properly licensed.  There is a lot of potential that an independent artist can become successful in the music industry with the help of CD Baby.

Reference Links:

http://www.cdbaby.com

http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/03/five-artist-services-you-get-free-with-your-cd-baby-distribution/

Pharrell Williams Performs in SNL (5 April 2014).

Pharrell Williams was celebrating even before stepping into the stage on Saturday Night Live, on 5 April 2014.  Pharrell was celebrating as he turned 41, and cut a slice of cake decorated with his very well known hat silhouette.  It was a very special night not to mention his great performance in SNL stage, performing his latest singles.

His first performance was “Happy” were he performed backed up with a stage full of kids dancing to his music.  At one point some kids stepped up to show their breakdancing skills on stage.  Pharrell has been promoting his new album G.I.R.L, were he has collaborated with Daft Punk and Timberlake once again.

On his second performance of the night Pharrell included an all-female string section that opened for the song “Marilyn Monroe”, which included the recognized composer Hans Zimmer as the conductor.  The live crowd received Pharell very enthusiastically and sang along to his catchy songs.

His new album includes 10 songs which is considers a concept album.  His sound is well described in this album as essentially Seventies and Eighties R&B vibe.  It is his second solo effort after 2006, “In My Mind” album.  Pharell is well know for his collaboration with many other well known artists and producer.

Pharell Williams also had a cameo role in SNL, impersonating himself.  Pharrell sat alongside with Kenan Thompson and Taran Killam whom wore a similar hat than the one Pharrell displayed thouhout the night.  The crowd enjoyd Pharrell’s role and his funny bone on live TV.  

This has been a very impressive year for Pharrell William as he played earlier on stage in the Grammys along Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk as they won record of the year.   

We have seen a lot interesting collaborations in the last decade in Pharrell Williams career from Usher, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dog, and Daft Punk.  We can really see him like a modern day Quincy Jones type of producer and he has really defined the quality and vision in todays POP-culture.

External Links: 

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/pharrell-williams-happy/2770793

http://pitchfork.com/news/54656-pharrell-performs-happy-and-marilyn-monroe-on-saturday-night-live/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/g-i-r-l-20140307

Nielsen SoundScan Proves Decline in Album Sales as of January 2014

Mike Fine and Mike Shalett created SoundScan to effectively track music sales and music video products.  SoundSan is the official method for tracking music sales throughout the US and Canada.  Billboard music charts use the SoundScan tracking system to represents their figures every week. 

Albums sales have fall to its lowest rates ever in the US.  As of the end on January 2014, there were only 4.25 million sales in America-the poorest return since records began in 2001.  Nielsen SoundScan first began tracking music sales back in 1991.  The sales that were registered as of January 2014 tracked both CD and vinyl sales, but represented the lowest figure in sales since the previous lowest figure of 4.49 million as of October 2013.  The data collected for January 2014, also represented a decline in digital album and track downloads, for the first time since 2001.

A steady decline has been noticed since 2010, as digital downloads and sales were introduced.  The first year digital albums sales were introduced it caused a decline in annual sales by 12%.  The following year a significant recovery was experienced with the released of Adele’s 21, storming the charts and becoming the best selling album of the year.

Album sales had dropped again by 4% back in 2012, but 2013 it was even worst with an 8% drop in sales.  Before 2010 it was very rare for weekly sales totally 5m units.  Less than 5 million units in sales was a very rare situation, thus experiencing it about 3 to 4 times in a year.  2013 had a total of 18 weeks with less than 5million units sold. 

For anyone selling music products and interested in sales feedback by SoundScan all is needed is to complete a title registration or ISRC registration online.  Taking 3-5 business days, recommending this form to be requested about 2 weeks from products release date.

Reference:

http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/nielsen-solutions/audience-measurement.html

http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/5855162/digital-music-sales-decrease-for-first-time-in-2013

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/adeles-21-becomes-first-album-to-sell-over-3-million-digital-copies-20140107

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_(Adele_album)

Bandsintown

Cellfish is a leading mobile development company headquartered in NYC, and has created a top rated concert discovery app on Facebook for live music fans & artists.  The Facebook platform includes tour page, post information of upcoming gigs, and geo-targeting to assist fans with tour info updates.  The platform also suggests fans with similar artist thus creating a free advertisement for new artists and possible fan growth.  Most of the revenue comes from charging promoters a fee I order to access user email data.  Cellfish’s mission is to deliver the most engaging and innovative consumer-entertainment experience by harnessing the power of mobile devices and social media.  Cellfish acquired Bandsintown in 2011, which was initially started by Todd Cronin and Phil Sergi.   

Bandsintown is an artist platform that includes over 150,000 artists and still growing aggressively.  Their major competitors are Live Nation and Ticketmaster.  Fans will get the most up to date information on when their favorite artist will be in town, and it also helps promoters in promoting upcoming shows in the area.  Forbes mentions that at this moment Cellfish has been collaborating with The Agency Group, which is currently the third largest tourist agency in the world.  This collaboration will open new doors for Cellfish and their platform Bandsintown.  At this moment Bandsintown is not profitable and most likely it wont be until next year 2014, when they would finally balance off some of their initial investments.  Bandsintown is currently working on developing new options for ticket purchasing and artists information that can be shared on this platform.  

Back in 2012 Bandsintown released the results of a survey that was trying to fit artist fans and their needs.  Observing the behavior of online music fans they where able to survey people between the ages of 16-59, and those that had been attending concerts recently.  The results of this survey helped to assign music fans into four groups (Super Fans, Plugged-Indies, Soloists, Dedicated Diehards, and Tag-Alongs), thus determining that some of these groups are more engaged in social media than others.  This helped the app increase their targeted marked and how they would push their company to reach those specific customers.  Currently the app can be enjoyed via Facebook, ITunes Apps, and Google play.  Promoters have a very great opportunity to use Bandsintown data to help them promote the right gig.  This has created a huge push marketing program for promoters and bands, allowing them to deliver customized messages to fans based on artist interest.