Art & Commerce: In Perfect Harmony

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Art & Commerce: In Perfect Harmony

December 17, 2007
By Joshua Rabinowitz
Adweek

As I wax nostalgic for '07, it's clear that the profile of music in marketing has ascended to new heights in the press, the branding equation and even in the awareness of a once-oblivious consumer. Let's check out some events that tickled the collective consciousness:

Given Disney's off-the-charts successes with the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana and High School Musical 2, sealed by 360-degree, all-encompassing deals, as well as a TV channel dedicated totally (with no outside advertisers) to that which is Disney, the major labels are attempting to follow suit. The "Disneyfication" of recording contracts has led record industry moguls to call their music companies "media companies." Are they delusional? Now only if MTV played music videos again! Why would an artist give shares of the merchandise, touring money and other income streams to a flailing recording label when they might be able to secure a nice deal with a brand or another "player" in the shifting music business?

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