Month: december

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Between the iPhone and the Blackberry more and more people have the ability to surf the web on their phone. Now there is a need to come up with platforms that can support this change and its growth. One of the examples of artists who are making their site phone friendly is Dido. With a new album coming out called “ Safe Trip Home”, one of the ways her team is marketing to fans is by allowing them to get quality access to the site when they use their phone, just like if they were using a PC. Until now music fans have had issues with accessing music and being able to use links on artists webpage on their phones. Now music and artist information will start to become more available. Websites are starting to get more traffic from people on their phones and the numbers look like they will continue to go up. iPhone users are those who especially browse the web more frequently than others and they are creating a need that should be met. As companies start to see the numbers go up they are looking to make it easier for people to use the phone to access websites, though there has to be a balance. Companies wont invest in making websites phone friendly unless they know they will see a return. On the music side, letting fans gain access to band photos, info, and music when they want it is important. It allows the fan to interact and be social with the artist and having the chance to do it when ever they have their phone is a step in the right direction.

Month: September

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There has been a lot of speculation as to why Best Buy purchased the struggling Napster for $121 million. The truth is that Best Buy is using the acquisition as a part of a broader platform to offer digital content and to leverage its market share in consumer electronics by bundling services that bring in recurring monthly revenue. They have already done this over the past few years with services like TiVo, DirecTV, and XM Radio. With Napster, Best Buy can persuade makers of consumer electronics like stereos, TVs, and computers to embed the service in their products in return for better shelf space and promotional support. They already have a lot of leverage in this area. Best Buy also may expand the platform beyond music, to movies and other digital content. An area to watch is mobile phones. The store recently opened new Mobile Shops and is experiencing increased mobile phone sales by 50%. If Best Buy increases its market share in this sector, it could wield the same leverage over mobile phone manufacturers and wireless operators to include Napster mobile services. Major labels are very excited about the acquisition and see it as a great way to drive sales in new ways on a lot of devices.

Month: September

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Due to "format fatigue" and lack of revenue coming in from the ringtone and ringback market, major labels are backing what they see as the future of the mobile music market: full-song downloads. The music industry wants to turn phones into a platform to enjoy music and not just showcase one's taste. Aside from being able to the wind out of iTunes' sails somewhat, the main reason for this is money. Wireless data revenue has been on the rise, but the amount of revenue gained from selling content via phone fell 1%, meaning people are paying to use basic wireless data services like Web browsers and are not paying an extra fee to use the same connection to buy and download content. This is where the mobile entertainment industry means to redeem themselves with this new generation of phones for full-song downloads. Nokia's Comes With Music phone is set for release in the UK this October. It comes with a one-year unlimited music subscription service in the cost of the mobile phone that supports it. MyPlay is a mobile music download store created by Sony BMG with UK operator O2. Verizon's partnership with Rhapsody is the first for a mobile service to link up with an already branded music service provider and in an integrated way.

Month: February

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The trade value of sales of recorded music in China in 2006 was U$47m, according to the IFPI. The retail value of these sales was 121.2m, which represents a 24.5% growth from the previous year.

Month: October

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Mobile and entertainment executives meet to discuss the future of the mobile music market. Ringtone revenue comprises close to 40% of the music industry's revenue pie. Labels are looking to expand their grasp in the mobile music market.

Month: November

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The mobile industry is on the lookout for social networking services. This would naturally prolong the use of cell phones and thus increase revenue for the mobile phone services. Myspace, facebook, and other social networking sites are competing for the mobile phone gig.

Month: September

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With mobile sales climbing, Nokia announced that they will start focus more on the mobile music content market. Nokia's Music Stores will carry music from the four major international record companies and thousands of independent record companies. Similarly to Apple launching iTunes to be compatible with their iPod, Nokia will bring four new phones optimized for their Music Store.