The following is an excerpt of the talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' co-hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", with Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry personnel

This week we continue the discussion on marketing the artist, but this time the marketing plan will not be analyzed as a static instrument, instead it will be pictured as the blueprint to navigating this vibrant and dynamic industry, driven by technological advances and the digitization of music.
Trends in global music sales
- More than 500 online music services available in over 40 countries at the end of 2008
- Portable player (iPods, Zune, etc) sales grew 15% in 2007 to 140 million
- Record companies’ digital music sales are estimated to have increased 53% in 2007 reaching 1.7 billion legally downloaded tracks
- Social networking sites exploded in popularity and advertising-supported models such as imeem emerged as a potential revenue stream for record labels. In 2007 and 2008 major record labels signed agreements with imeem, youtube, kyte, myspace music, etc in exchange for a percentage of ad revenue
- There were 220 million ring tone purchases in 2007 resulting in sales of $567 million.
Based on these global trends, the shift to digital has redistributed importance up, down and across the traditional marketing plan, creating new areas of priority and in some instances allowing for a significant reduction in your marketing budget.

The following is an excerpt of the talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' co-hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", with Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry personnel

I must take this opportunity to congratulate Burning Spear for winning his second Grammy award for the album 'Jah is Real'. In the year 1999, he won his first Grammy Award for his album 'Calling Rastafari'. Such achievements are admirable, as it shows the level of hard work on which he has embarked. In fact this award will now add value to the artiste in that it improves his marketability and likewise heightens his visibility in the market place.

Last weeks article made mention of awards adding value to artiste, and so we say an award enhances the artiste image and adds value to him/her as a product; It was also established that awards add value through the marketability and pricing of the artiste and helps to maintain his/her visibility on both the local and international scene, and so we benefit immensely through continuous publicity and booking.

However, artistes were advised to engage in product development, not only for the purposes of being nominated for an award but for the success of his/her career.

The following is an excerpt of the talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' co-hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", with Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry personnel

Often times when a new artiste is asked about his/her Media Kit, they usually enter into a moment of questioning. Questions such as, 'What is a media kit? What is it used for? How do I compile one?' are usually asked. So really, what is an artiste media kit?
According to the website, http://www.isound.com/artist, by definition, a media kit is a package of promotional materials that includes a review copy of your album/CD, demo, or official album release. Different versions of the press kit include materials suited for different recipients, as in music columnists, promoters, radio programmers or A&R representatives. The artist press kit is also known as a media kit or publicity package and its most important component is the biography. It is used for music promotion, music publicity, booking agents, and artist promotion. Tad Lathrop in his book 'This Business of Music' stated that "press kits can be in electronic form on DVD's Websites etc, and is known as the electronic press kit (EPK). The electronic press kits typically contain electronic version of all most every thing included in a printed press kit". The Electronic press kit is deemed an advantage as it contains audio and visual materials and such heighten the visibility and marketability of the artist. Another advantage is its flexibility and accessibility, owing to the fact that it can be easily downloaded when needed.

The following is the fifth episode of a talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' co-hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", with Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry personnel.

The phrase, "and the award goes to" has began to trill our minds, and so I presume, adrenaline’s are now in overdrive as we approach the award season in the music industry; Artistes, Industry players and fans are at their P's and Q's as they anticipate the name's behind the phrase.

There are a number of award shows surrounding the music industry both locally and internationally, however, there are four main ones; The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, The Billboard Music Awards and our locally established yet renowned, Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards, the EME's. These award ceremonies are held to celebrate the achievements and contributions of persons within the entertainment industry.

One may consider the process of selecting the nominees to be awarded, bias or unfair as such process is influenced by favoritism. In effort to change such mindset we must take in consideration how these awards are categorized and what method of selection is been undertaken. The 2008 Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME’s) will recognize the achievements of the top performers from within the recording industry between October 01, 2006 and September 30, 2007. Nominees for the EME awards are determined based on their performance on The Weekly Jamaica Music Countdown which is presented on Hot 102 FM every Friday afternoon during the Hot Mix hosted by Richie B.

INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ

The following is the fourth episode of a talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' co-hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", with Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry personnel.

Last week's article made mention of, 'branding the artiste as a product'; however quite often the term branding and imaging are confused. There must be a clear distinction between the two, Artiste branding speaks really to the products/ services of the artiste that differentiates him/her from his/her competitors. Branding is vital to the overall success of any artiste, and in essence, a major part of branding is image. The artiste’s image entails the shared concept of his/her work, which should both go hand in hand.

Many talented emerging artists are confused by the issue of an image and don't have a sense of their own style. So, they either copy things from other people, or are just bland. Few artists actually have a true, distinct style. In today's entertainment environment, the first impression is as important as ever. However, style is only one aspect of an artist's first impression. Just imagine, an artiste who sings conscious reggae Music but attires him/herself like an American artiste who does rock music; how contradicting and confusing. I must admit such contrast may be considered being a figment of the imagination, but I suspect the main point is being conveyed, ‘there must be a match/balance between the artiste’s sound and image’.

INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ

The following is the third episode of a talk show programme titled 'INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ' hosted by Thaddeus "Teddy" Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", hosted by Richie B 2:00 to 5:00 PM. The programme is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry persons.

The term product branding arise, the first thing that comes to mind is Gucci, Chanell or Dolce and Gabana, 'yes the well established brands'; the taught of an artiste and his/her music is far fetched. By making such striking contrast one would now realize that an artiste "brand" identity are crucial elements of the success of marketing themselves to an audience.

INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ WITH THADDEUS "TEDDY" LAIDLEY

The following is the first episode of a talk show programme titled ‘INSIDE THE MUSIC BIZ’ hosted by Thaddeus “Teddy” Laidley every Wednesday at 3:30 to 4:00pm. The programme is aired on HOT 102 FM during "THE HOT MIX", hosted by Richie B 2:30 to 5:00 PM. The programme is aimed at offering insights into the music business for aspiring artistes and industry persons.

You have recorded some singles for the unsuspected world to hear, so what! Anyone with a few dollars can go into the studio and record some singles. Making music and making a living from music is not the same thing. When it comes to getting your music in the market place you have entered the domain of music business economics. There are two music worlds. There is the world of pure music, which involves the creative side of things, song writing, rehearsing and performing. Their is another world which must come into play if you truly want people to hear your music...the music business; questions associated with such are what is a copyright? What do publishers do? What happens when you do sign with a record label or a contract? What is a royalty and why do labels pay the royalties they do pay? Etc.

Breaking into the music business takes hard work, a lot of discipline, and as a recording artist you have to be prepared you have to keep your head up. You've got to have passion, think out of the box and have basic fundamental business knowledge. There are several ways in which opportunity presents itself. One such is our local talent shows through which artist can be discovered, which have proven to be a success. Some examples are: Digicel Rising Stars, which have given way to Christopher Martin, O'Neil Peart and most recently the astounding Jim Laden; Tastee Talent Trail which have given way to, the legendary yellow man, Sensational Nadine Sutherland, and the undisputed Bennie Man and many others.