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July 31, 2006
The Magic of Michael Peterson!
Not only did I get to meet Michael, it was simply a blast playing guitars with this guy at the LAX Westin Hotel in the lobby. Then I had the great opportunity to Executive Produce an interview with him at the ABC Radio Network in Burbank.
Can you imagine being signed to Sony, recording an amazing new album destined to have a number one hit, cutting two new videos and being out on the street? Not to worry about Michael Peterson, man, he is one of the most creative people I have ever met in the music biz, he's basically a Modern Man.
Artists are taking back their control and connecting right to their audience. Watch Michael do the same thing.
Posted by mitchsantell at 02:00 PM
July 19, 2006
Skpe Me At: moviecapitalceo!
In the days before cell phones became standard, everyone would go all goo-goo eyed over a portable phone. Now that cell phones are common place and the quality of service has barely improved, people are looking for an alternative to talking on their cells or regular phones.
The newest, hip thing (to use an old expression) is Voice Over Internet Protocol, or telephone services through the internet. Leading the advertising movement in VOIP is Vonage, with television commericals on nearly every channel and pop up and banner ads galore. But the real innovator is Skype, and as recently shown by their 10 Billion minutes sold, and they're doing really well.
Skype offers free computer to computer calls from anywhere in the world with their software. Just plug in a microphone and speakers, sign up for an account after downloading Skype (the software) and you're ready to go. How does Skype make any money? They make it possible to call real phone numbers (land line and cells alike), and sell minutes in chunks of 10 Euros. Calls to almost every country in Europe and North America, plus Australia, are only 1.7 Euros a minute, while rates are nearly as low for other countries. The amazing thing is that while it costs you 1.7 Euros to call out from your computer, no matter who you are calling, it counts as a local call for them.
The other way two ways Skype makes money are selling phone numbers and voicemail. When you have a SkypeIn number, your friends who don’t have Skype, can call a regular phone number and you will receive the call on your computer. Skype sells these numbers at 10 Euros per 3 months, or 30 Euros per 12 months. Voicemail is also availible but is free with the purchase of a SkypeIn subscription.
Since we last reported on Skype, our dear friends at eBay just purchased them for 2.6 Billion Dollars. Next? I have agressively used Skype for expanding my network of contacts in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Our suggestion at What's Out Next is that you visit the Skype page, download the free software and start the magic!
While those people who still haven't used a cell phone and shirk the internet, Skype and other VOIP services may just be a Bicycle Race, but it's more than that, it's what's out next!
Posted by mitchsantell at 02:14 PM
July 10, 2006
Digital Music Sales Fuel Music Biz!
According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Physical album sales continued to decline in the U.S. during the first six months of 2006, down 4.2% in comparison to the same period last year.
However, Nielsen SoundScan figures through the week ending July 2 indicate that digital sales might loft the business as a whole. Sales of digital albums soared 126% during the first half of the year, while digital tracks rose 77%.
Looking at the entire sales picture -- comprising physical albums, digital albums and digital tracks -- overall sales to date this year have actually gained about one-tenth of a percentage point over the first six months of '05.
A total of 270.6 million physical albums sold domestically through the end of June, representing a drop of 12 million units from last year's six-month total of 282.6 million.
Digital albums improved by 8.2 million units, with 14.7 million units sold since January versus just 6.4 million units in the first half of 2005. Digital tracks gained by 122 million units; 281 million tracks were sold in the first six months of the year versus 158 million in the same period last year.
The top-selling title of the year so far is Walt Disney Records' "High School Musical" soundtrack, which has shifted 2.6 million copies to date. Disney's Lyric Street imprint also accounts for the No. 2 release, Rascal Flatts' "Me and My Gang," which is just shy of 2 million units."
The demand and the shift is here.. We say that with all these changes going on it's a wild world!
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Posted by mitchsantell at 05:12 PM
July 06, 2006
artistShare is "Experience vs. Product"
Brian Camelio may be onto something big with his company aritstShare. Why? Because for the very first time in the history of the Grammies, an arist...her name is Maria Schneider, won a this world class award without ever pressing a CD. Think about it.....for me as a person who has been around this business since the age of six, this is a big thing!
Over the years the consumer has always "felt the music" upon the realease of a new album. In the case of Brian Camelio and his venture artistShare patrons participate in the "creation and creative process" of the product. It's a great idea.
Back in the days (circa 1996) when I was partnering with world class record producer Nik Venet, we always noticed that the people who invested in the music project were very fascinated by the process. When Nik started working with Linda Rondstadt in the early 1960's to produce Different Drum I am very positive that there was a real passion in developing Linda the same way that artistShare developed Maria Schneider. The difference is that the "audience" through financial contributions was able to participate in the creative. I am sure that Nik is smiling right now as the music industry is moving toward A Different Drum.
Posted by mitchsantell at 09:45 PM