Month: October

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Indie labels are still upset over the MySpace deal. Only the major labels were given equity in the site's overall revenue, and some indie labels did not even have their music catalogs included in the initial launch of the site due to ongoing negotiations. This was a quick change for indies, who are used to having more of a free-range in the digital online marketplace. Only recently have the majors changed their stance on DRM-free downloads and streaming, where before they only allowed 30-second clips or no music at all. The indies are considering the need for more a aggressive stance in negotiations in these new digital deals. They feel the need to press for their rights. Still, it has been shown that indie labels' music is given a boost when major label content is added to a site with indie music available. This increased traffic brings in more revenue.

Month: June

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TopSpin is a new company emerging with an online service that looks to revolutionize the way bands manage themselves and become noticed. TopSpin Manager is a website with several technological tools that are perfect for up-and-coming artists to manage their careers with. The idea is that artists can use these tools on their own website to improve their careers and abilities to increase their fanbase and get noticed. The site includes: - A content management system that hosts music, photos, video, etc and a rights management interface that allows the artist to decide how their music will be made available. Includes a commerce engine to take care of sales and orders with abilities to set prices and usages (some songs can be given away, expire of set period of time, or only made available to fan club members). - Fan management system that collects emails and organizes demographic information on fans like age, location, how many times music or video is streamed, sales history, music sharing, etc. - Product creation tool that lets artists develop their our content like membership subcriptions, ticket and track products, email offers, and other ways to offer their catalog to fans. - Reporting feature that tracks site visits, song streams and downloads with user detail all with customized charts.

Month: November

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Examining the importance of merchandise revenue in the indie world, the article explores the growth in artist merchandising over the last few years, some of the methods artists produce and sell merch, and the reasons why it's a necessity in today's music world.