28-10-2003 @ 21:32
I really would like to find out how excessive salaries and bonuses of major honchos affect the ‘music industry’. Part of ‘our problem’ is that a lot of executives seem to be pre-occupied with A&M, the corporate game of Acquisitions and Mergers, instead of with A&R or artist development. M&A is guaranteeing raises and bonuses in an otherwise declining business. The whole discussion about whether BMG will marry Sony or EMI will eat Warner’s takes away from finding solutions for what’s happening right now…The main reason for the musical crisis is the fact that the telecom companies are absorbing the spending power of our kids. They can’t live without their cell-phones! Still the kids want their music… Full CD’s are too expensive or not interesting enough. So downloading and burning is the solution that is forced upon the musical society by the cell phone operators. And suing these kids who have to live with the telecom candy man?It would have been obvious to shift our focus from catering to the 30+ market. But the majors and retail are panicking and shifting focus doesn’t seem to be their option. After all catering to old farts is not a hip thing to do. And we don’t want to be helped by clerks who think we are a bunch of old farts. So you’re not going to get our dollars, no matter how bad we want that Van Morrison record. We’re going to Borders or Barnes & Nobles instead. Are they hurting as bad as the rest of the industry? Think about it!Maybe we should indeed facilitate free downloads. And just demand 10% from the internet providers on top of their monthly subscription to compensate us for the loss of turnover. I have seen calculations from various markets that show that we could thus keep the industry going with extra cream on the cake in the form of specialist CD sales like there’s still punters out there buying vinyl…People still LOVE music. They spend more on music than ever before. Check the concert tickets! Add blank CD’s to the industry’s turnover!I only have a very simple mind. That tells me that we have to find a solution soon. Or stop being with the one we love. Give up our love for rock ‘n roll…. My simple mind says:1.Let’s make sure that people realize that MUSIC IS NOT FREE and that ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING constitutes THEFT;2.Let’s work out a BUSINESS MODEL that allows FREE DOWNLOADING provided the providers COMPENSATE the industry;3.We need a higher levy on BLANK MEDIA;4.Let’s shift our focus from the CELL PHONE KIDS to the 30+ market and CATER TO MUSIC LOVERS WITH SPENDING POWER;5.Let’s bring back excitement in music by reviving the SINGLE in whatever shape or way and CD’s WITH GREAT TRACKS ONLY!6.Use sponsors to bring back store traffic!7.Stop mergers and acquisitions!~8.Revive A&R and artist development…Hey, we’re hurting, too! We’re hurting like hell as the majors are forcing retail. They’re pipeline catalogue in for ridiculous prices. Catalogue that could have continued to sell for decent prices over many years to come. They’re forcing us out as they all want a slightly bigger piece of cake than justified. By giving better margins and credit than we can afford. But still……I’m proud of what I’m doing. Developing artists that I love. Not compromising or kissing ass… We released 50 albums already and there 20 great ones for next year! The industry may be dead, but I’m dedicated to keep the music going.Evert WilbrinkCorazong Records