Jazz Odyssey

In case you missed it, AT&T announced some changes to their unlimited data plans for iPhone/iPad/other smartphone users. In short, the “unlimited” plan is being replaced by a tiered system that will provide a discount for light data users and challenge heavier users to curb their bandwidth habit or risk paying some overages. [...]

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Seems pretty obvious when you read this, but its pretty clear that a LOT of companies don’t take this approach…and the same rules could easily apply to artists.
Want to Make Money on Twitter? Take a Look at How Dell Does It : Technology :: American Express OPEN Forum

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Mad props to Mr. Reznor for a well-considered explanation to his fans regarding concert ticket pricing, availability and scalping/reselling.

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I’ve seen two examples of “augmented reality” today, this article about Topps baseball cards in the NYTimes, and the solar/wind power site that GE has set up. There are some other examples in this YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKw_Mp5YkaE

Really neat stuff though it will need to quickly move past the novelty factor to have staying power as [...]

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A guest blog post from Neil on Hypebot is a really good read this morning. Inspirational paragraph:
Today’s web world has created a new way. Artists today can go directly to the people. There is nothing standing between the artists and their audience. Freedom of expression reigns. People today feel that they should be able [...]

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FORTUNE: Techland Neil Young takes on the iPod «: “‘Apple has taken a detour down the convenience highway,’ Young told the Brainstorm audience after taking the stage for an interview with Time Inc. editor-in-chief John Huey. ‘Quality has taken a complete backseat – if it even gets in the car at all.’”
The sound quality of [...]

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“At a time when online file-sharing is rampant, record stores are closing and consumers are buying singles instead of albums, getting into the music business might seem like running into a burning building. But as record labels struggle to adjust to a harsh new digital reality, other companies are stepping up their involvement in [...]

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A blog post on the New York Times website leads to a study done by the University of Washington regarding DMCA takedown notices.  Here is an excerpt from the overview:
Although the implications of being accused of copyright infringement are significant, very little is known about the methods used by enforcement agencies to detect it, particularly [...]

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Ian Rogers posted his advice to Guy Hands at his blog and it makes for some very interesting reading. His core premise:

“With the disappearance of advantaged label competencies such as superior production, distribution, and marketing, reconfigure your labels to be based around affinities and focused narrowly enough to serve roughly the same audiences from [...]

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Pew has just published a new study on consumer purchasing habit,s and the impact of the Internet as well as traditional media on their decision making. Clearly, the digital arena continues to grow in importance but it is only one part of the media mix, and carries different weight among different consumer groups.
Click here [...]

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If you are a last.fm fanatic, here’s a great site that will waste hours of your time as you see all the cool things that last.fm can do with the help of its user community. From social networking applications to desktop apps, there’s something here for all but the most casual last.fm user, and [...]

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Ahead of the actual discussion led by Jim Griffin at SXSW Friday, Wired has posted and overview of a notion that has been whispered about in the hallowed halls of the major labels for years…a fee imposed on ISPs that provided end users with an “all you can eat” music service. Read Music Industry [...]

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This article from Fortune/CNNMoney.com about who is using digital marketing more effectively for campaigning should be discussed at every major label marketing meeting.  The entire article is worthwhile, but this particular Q&A exchange between Fortune and Publicis CIO Rishad Tobaccowala hits the bullseye.  The major labels have historically taken a more Clinton-esque approach despite public [...]

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From Mashable: “The Web-based social music service of great renown has assembled a nifty thing dubbed the SXSW Group page, where site members can nab themselves their very own “Band Aid.” What’s a Band Aid? Simple. A list of bands whose SXSW shows you might be interested to catch while down in Texas. The names [...]

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The ever astute Paul Resnikoff offers his viewpoint on the brewing battle between publishers and digital music provider MusicNet. This is a perspective worthy of consideration. Back in the early 90s when I was in the wholesale end of the music business, it seemed like the CD price wars at retail and the [...]

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R.E.M. Releases New Videos Under Open Source License : “R.E.M. today released 11 videos for the first song from their forthcoming album, all in MP4 format in HD and under an open source license. ‘Supernatural Serious,’ is the first single from the band’s next album, ‘Accelerate,’ due to be released April 1st.“
(Via ReadWriteWeb .)

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While similar to countless similar rants of years past (clueless record industry should provide better digital offerings and value to consumers), I have to give this one a lot of credit for pointing out the value of “convenience services and marketing”. Sure…there are always folks for whom “free” will be the prime motivator, but [...]

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Web 3.0: Is It About Personalization?: “On the UK’s Guardian newspaper site today, writer Jemina Kiss suggested that Web 3.0 will be about recommendation. ‘If web 2.0 could be summarized as interaction, web 3.0 must be about recommendation and personalization,’ she wrote. Using Last.fm and Facebook’s Beacon as an example, Kiss painted a picture of [...]

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Social Sites Don’t Deliver Big Ad Gains – WSJ.com: “As Microsoft Corp. makes a $44.6 billion bet on Internet advertising with its unsolicited offer for Yahoo Inc., there are signs that some of the biggest new places where consumers are flocking on the Web — social networking and video-sharing sites — are yielding advertising revenue [...]

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Duncan Watts questions The Tipping Point: “‘If society is ready to embrace a trend, almost anyone can start one–and if it isn’t, then almost no one can…’“

This is a great read for anyone interested in marketing.
(Via Hypebot.)

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