Hit Lab Competition

Recently world-renowned recording artist Akon took part in administering a competition. With the use of various social media networks, he was able to spread the word of this event extremely fast. His promo for this activity began with a simple video uploaded to the popular media based site YouTube. Then linked was linked to his various other social pages to create a platform.

Watch the video here:

In his video he briefly explains the motivation behind the competition. However what isn’t highlighted on the surface is the utter amount of self-interest being also at play. By masquerading his motivation as an “opportunity for emerging talent” he also finds an added outlet to continue his brand.

The contest allows artist of all genres to submit songs into a database coined as the DHS (Digital Hit System). Then, the machine (which is said to be incredibly accurate) calculates the hit potential of the entree. Ultimately, the winners of the competition are flown out to the Grammy’s to walk the red carpet and perform their music on national television.

For complete rules: http://www.facebook.com/hitlab?sk=app_271786972853587

While reading the guidelines and (possible) rewards even the most skeptical of individuals would be enticed. How ever from a marketing perspective one must display complete amazement. In one deadly swoop this company has established a market, locate a fan base and ultimately secured a brand.

An avid reader of “The 48 Laws Of Power” by Robert Greene, I feel these guys have (and continue to) exemplify a number of crucial laws in their attempt to solidify themselves as a reputable company. The fact that they were able to down play the notion of brand promotion (of DHS) and focus on the opportunity being was pure genius.

Law 3

~Conceal Your Intentions~

Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind you actions (Green 2000).

Reference:

Greene, O., & Elffers, J. (2000). The 48 laws of power. Penguin Putnam.Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books/feeds/volumes?q=0-14-028019-7

Why to Believe In Others

My Experience @

www.TED.com

Site Overview

Today I was rather inspired by a new site I had the pleasure of experiencing for the first time. Upon my initial visit this page struck as just another video sharing site extremely similar to the other dozen or so popularized video sharing sites (and or dot com’s). However, after further review this would not at all be the case. It turns out the sites administrators examined the advice given by the Ries’ in their book The 22 Immutable Laws Branding. “…when you narrow the focus to such a degree that there is no longer any market for the brand? …This is potentially the best situation of all. What you have created is the opportunity to introduce a brand-new category” (Ries & Ries, 2002). As a result, of narrowing their database to solely motivational material (or in other words Ideas Worth Spreading), they were able to help themselves create brand distinction.

Best of The Web

One of the more unique features of the site is the organization of themes. Within these subsections they provide a category entitled “Best of The Web”. From lectures at little-known forums to famous speeches that made history, our "Best of the Web" collection features talks that come from all over the Web -- not just TED or TED's partner conferences -- so long as the video is available for free, and so long as the talk meets our most important benchmark: that it's an Idea Worth Spreading ("Best of the," 2011). It was here that I found a number of the sites most moving inspirational speeches. Including one from Holocaust-survivor Viktor E Frankl.

Why to Believe In Others

In this excerpt from a lecture in 1972, Viktor E Frankl (Neurologist and psychiatrist) illuminates the importance of investing in people. With the use of well-timed humor and minimalistic visual aids he displayed an array of information. Frankls’ approach to the speech was simply ingenious. Although he clearly knew information well, he allowed the audience to assist at points (clearly a technique heavily employed by instructors). I have personally have always agreed with notion of over expectation for myself, however I now see the benefit in doing the same for others as well.

Reference:

Best of the web. (2011, November 08). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/themes/best_of_the_web.html

Ries, A., & Ries, L. (2002). The 22 immutable laws of branding. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers.

Frankl, V. (Performer). (1972). Viktor frankl: Why to believe in others. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/viktor_frankl_youth_in_search_of_meaning.html

Industry Association

Welcome back,

In this segment we will briefly discuss a variety of a Industry associations. Highlighting their purpose and motivation as it pertains to elements of the music business. However, one should keep in mind "...there are over 86,000 registered trade and professional associations whose primary purpose is to work together on a common interest" (DeGilio, 2011). So it highly unlikely that we can cover each and every pertinent one. Non-the-less, we have listed (and outlined) four key organizations imperative to those looking to succeed in this field.

Recording Industry Association of America: http://www.riaa.com/

Is a trade organization that promotes the creative and financial livelihood of the major music companies. "RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States" (www.RIAA.com).

American Advertising Federation: http://www.aaf.org/

This federation ulitmately protects and promotes the well-being of advertising. Some of their key attributes (as detailed on their website) include...

* Bringing members together to yield creative business solutions.
* Educating members on the latest trends in technology, creativity and marketing.
* Promotes diversity in advertising by encouraging the recruitment of people of
diverse cultures.

For further insight into the companies benifits refer to their web page. (www.aaf.org)

Motion Picture of Association of America: http://www.mpaa.org/

According to its website it is at the forefront of assisting the film industry through one of its most
turbulant periods to date. "While the advent of the digital era created extraordinary new opportunities for delivering movies to consumers, it also give rise to the most serious threat to the industry's continued health - online copyright theft"(www.mpaa.org).

Public Relations Society of America: http://www.prsa.org/

"...is a community of more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States, from recent college graduates to the leaders of the world’s largest multinational firms. Our members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field" (www.prsa.org).

Inevitably each of these organizations will have an affect on the way www.MusicCasting.com operates, from handling promotions to aiding talent. The association that may be dealt with the most is the RIAA. With the core focus of the company being ~music~ it will be imparative that the site work closely with the RIAA for the benefit of those employing the service.

Unfortunately, membership is only "open to legitimate record companies with main offices in the United States that are engaged in the production and sale, under their own brand label, of recordings of performances for home use" (www.riaa.com). However, many of our promotions are geared toward music and the distribution of it.

Many of the initiatives the company champions also align with the ideology of www.MusicCasting.com. Their attempts to combat piracy continue to allow legal online services to profit. They are also huge advocates of taking legal action against rogue companies. A more recent tool employed the company with the use of the FBI seal... This was intially brought to our attention via the "JMiller Entertainment Blog" (available here...http://jasminedmiller.blogspot.com/2011/11/recording-industry-association-of.html) However, for more information on this and other music related legal issues visit (www.riaa.com)