Digital Media Forecasts for 2010

You gotta believe that 2010 will be a better year economically than the one we just left behind. Despite it all, digital business and consumer technologies made significant advances, laying the groundwork for growth in the new year.

• An ever increasing number of companies will adapt social media strategies for their businesses. Better measurement models will develop.
• Traditional media outlets (television, film, publishing) will continue to suffer the effects of old age and will get more serious about experimenting with new business models.
• Although digital music sales will increase in 2010, compact disc sales will continue their fall.
• Though cost prohibitive for the masses, 3D televisions will be considered a success in their introductory release year.
• The smartphone will become more ubiquitous as competition increases and hardware costs go down.
• As more companies develop e-book readers, Kindle prices will continue to decrease (albeit minimally) and publishing companies will get more involved with title pricing.
• Just as it has already happened for the 33 1/3 LP, paper books will one day become niche items for collectors and Luddites alike.

　

Twitter Tips For Musicians

Before the internet came along, it was frustrating being a jazz fan. Hearing and finding new music was difficult — radio outlets were limited, playlists mostly covered the classics. Music stores had minimal rack space and a subsequent lack of new titles. It sucked.

As the web developed so did artist and label sites, web radio and the convenience of music downloads. You Tube and My Space became natural showcases for videos and artist jukeboxes. Could it possibly get any better?

Best Jazz of 2009

In no particular order–

Tessa Souter – Obsession
Bennie Maupin Quartet – Early Reflections
Gretchen Parlato – In A Dream
Chick Corea and John McLaughlin – 5 Peace Band Live
Darcy James Argue – Infernal Machines
Fred Hersch – Plays Jobim
Marcus Strickland – Idiosyncracies
Monterey Quartet – Live at 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
Ramsey Lewis – Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey
Sonny Rollins – Road Shows Vol. 1

A New Sales Outlet For Music

Think about this — As you’re enjoying a live concert, engineers are busy recording it so digital copies will be ready for sale when the show is over. Some bands have already tried it out. I think it’s a great idea that deserves to develop.

Illegal Downloaders Buy More Music?

An article in the Independent UK relates a study which concludes that illegal music downloaders spend more on music than those who claim not to illegally download.

With MP3 files less expensive than compact discs music and the convenience of purchasing individual files, I not only gladly pay for my downloads, I purchase more music in a larger range of styles, than ever before. I also admit to making copies for friends who more likely than not, are not acquainted with the tunes I send their way.

Forrester Research states that “We have a generation of young people who don’t have any concept of music as a paid-for commodity.” And unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect that to change.

Sonny Social Media

79 year old jazz giant Sonny Rollins apparently has an iPhone app in development. His current newsletter states that in October we will see a Sonny Rollins app that will allow fans to listen to and purchase music, as well as view videos and photos. Sonny also keeps a presence on Facebook and Twitter. Cool dude.

Is Anyone Really Surprised By This?

Microsoft and Intel recently financed a 30 page study which concludes that when production, printing and shipping costs for compact discs are compared to the costs of digital song files, that downloadable music is more “sustainable” and environmentally beneficial. Come on! How about telling us what the recorded music industry needs to do to survive?

And I Thought The ‘Album’ Was Dead

I was getting embarassed whenever I used the word ‘album’ to someone under 30. It was almost as awkward as explaining what a turntable is.

I have to confess that more often than not I still buy albums (it’s the completist in me), but the younger generation no longer has the restriction and they purchase (or steal) whatever they choose.

So it was only a matter of time until the four major recorded music companies developed their own plan to group digital downloads as ‘albums’. Good luck.

Content Is Still King

Malcolm Gladwell (‘Blink’) debunks the “all content will be free” mantras of Chris Andersen, in his ‘New Yorker’ review of ‘Free: The Future of a Radical Price’

Royalties For Ringtones?

The vampire music congloms still want their blood.