It was the year that a Disney soundtrack and a country-superstar-turned-pop-star battled for sales dominance. It was a year in which the transition from purchased product to streaming moved to the forefront. It was a year in which Monte Lipman’s Republic sold the most product, while Columbia, under the tutelage of Rob Stringer, carried forward the banner of label greatness, and former Columbia exec Steve Barnett revitalized and supercharged the formerly dormant Capitol Music Group. Credit this savvy transition to Cumulus owner John Dickey, who removed both Jeffries and the adversarial posture, helping this year to create a Cumulus that supports new music and is a partner to the efforts of promotion people. Hence, the relationship between the top levels of the major broadcasting companies and the top levels of record company marketing and promotion executives has heralded a new era of cooperation—one where breaking records at radio far outweighs the ability of any other sector of the marketing mix. We will also be closely watching the following stories: |
1. THE GRAMMYS: With wonderful surprises from Sam Smith, Iggy Azalea, Beck, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Pentatonix and more, the awards could still easily become an Amy Winehouse-esque sweep year for Smith. |
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
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THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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