With all this talk of music in the ‘post-Radiohead era’ you’d be forgiven for thinking that recorded music and, more specifically, the major labels are in a state of disrepair. However, on closer examination i believe it appears there are plenty of places for the guys in ties to, rather distastefully i might say, place their artists’ next releases and still earn plenty of money. The product placement it seems may change but the music will always reach the fan, and looking at the distribution and methods of the latest wave of free music to be offered it’s not difficult to see that, although this current trend has been predominantly outside of the major labels’ releases, the approaches are nothing beyond what the majors could achieve, and probably on a far greater scale. Prince gave his album away in a weekend newspaper from which he probably received a comfortable pay packet, since the business would undoubtedly be very profitable for the paper – not to mention the pre-tour attention it would have drummed up. Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Joss Stone – amongst others – are getting payed while having their music given away for free with cups of coffee at Starbucks with much the same strap-to-a-product approach. Starbucks can earn plenty of extra revenue through the increased custom generated by such PR stunts. And this week stories have been circulating about the Spice Girls selling their (greatest hits?) album in the Victoria’s Secret lingerie chain stores, while in the meantime literally strapping themselves to the product by partaking in a fashion show where they’ll be modeling the risque line of clothing available from the stores.
It won’t be long before Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Burger King, Waterstones, in fact any major distributor of disposable, single-serving or high-demand products strikes a deal with the majors allowing the big-wigs to strap music to a suitable product. The only uncertainty is whether they will have the gumption to give tracks away for free or the greed to want more on top of the endorsement. Hopefully they will think sensibly, knowing if a track is given away for free the product will sell better and more money will be available to get back to the label. This major labels and free tracks scenario does however mean sob stories for the bands who will have to understand they cannot earn as much from the label who “just can’t afford to pay the same rates as previously now the album will be given away for free” despite the millions from Pepsi or Cadburys. What’ll be next, Barry White’s back-catalogue free with Durex? Chris De Burgh with cans of Red Bull?
The question is, what product then will your tunes be attached to?
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.