In any case, Frozen, its singles (especially “Let It Go” as sung by star Idina Menzel), sing-along sets, versions in dozens of languages and tons of usergenerated content (earning 2 billion streams) became gargantuan all over the globe.
The ST’s colossal sales powered Disney Music to a solid 4.9% in frontline marketshare, up more than three full points from last year, with TEA up a point at 2.8.
But that wasn’t the only killer soundtrack up Disney’s sleeve. The Marvel adventure Guardians of the Galaxy spawned a “Mix Tape” soundtrack stuffed with pop and soul chestnuts—with the songs so tightly sewn into the story that young fans had to have ’em. Team Disney scored six Grammy nominations last week, with Frozen tapped for Best Compilation Soundtrack and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, "Let It Go" in the running for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Guardians also getting a nod for Best Compilation ST, Aladdin earning a nom for Musical Theater Album and Saving Mr. Banks becoming a contender for Best Score ST.
Meanwhile, Hollywood artist Demi Lovato saw ongoing success with her album and multiple singles, Zendaya made a splash and Selena Gomez’s final release for the label delivered an instant hit; head of promo Scot Finck delivered at Pop and adult radio for these acts and Frozen’s Mendel.
On the downside, Disney will have to deal with the departure of Gomez to Interscope and new negotiations with Demi Lovato.
Bunt and SVP A&R/Head of Creative Mio Vukovic made a variety of moves, building out the group’s publishing division, cutting a deal with Fairfax Recordings’ alt-rock whiz Kevin Augunas, and finding myriad opportunities for affiliated artists and writers within the Disney ecosystem of megabrands, which in addition to the Magic Kingdom and Marvel also includes Pixar, Lucasfilm (Star Wars), ABC-TV and The Muppets, among other pop-cultural monoliths.
In all, it’s fair to say Bunt and company are building a better Mouse trap. |
