iHeartRadio Fights Back

On Monday July 11, 2011, Clear Channel Communications Inc. announced the formation of "the biggest live music event in radio history" - the iHeartRadio Music Festival to be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 23rd and 24th.  In case you missed it, here is Ryan Seacrest's formal video announcement with all the details:

 

The idea behind the event comes from iHeartRadio's on-going competition with popular internet radio site, Pandora. Since the decline of live broadcast radio listening and the rise of on-the-go internet music and podcast listening via mobile devices and internet-capable mp3 players, Pandora has led the way with its ability to "create personalized song lists" for its "94 million registered users" (Associated Press, 2011). In an effort to compete and draw in more online visitors, in addition to listeners of its many regular radio station broadcasts, Clear Channel will be changing the iHeartRadio app and website to include the following:

• access to the programming of more than 750 Clear Channel stations
• Pandora-like customization
• access to more songs, content, and more control than Pandora, plus the ability to create playlists
• no commercials through the end of the year (All Access Music Group, 2011).

The declaration of the above iHeartRadio changes to be implemented this fall comes after Pandora CEO, Joseph Kennedy, talked to Bloomberg Television back in June about how Pandora can ultimately take over the music world with its "ability to connect users with the new music they love" (Wall St. Cheat Sheet, 2011). iHeartRadio is not to be underestimated however, as you can see with this Music Festival/website and app revamp retaliation.

For those who couldn't get tickets to the now sold out 2-day event in Las Vegas, the festival will be streamed live on iHeartRadio for everyone to visit iheartradio.com or download the new app to enjoy. iHeartRadio set up such a huge music event to potentially reach "the largest combined U.S. radio and online audience ever" (All Access Music Group, 2011). With amazing acts such as Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, John Mayer and over a dozen more, who wouldn't want to download the new iHeartRadio app and catch this major music concert live from wherever you happen to be on September 23 and 24, 2011? Smart move iHeartRadio, smart move.


References:
All Access Music Group. (2011, July 11). Clear channel announces iheartradio music festival in Las Vegas - New iheartradio app set to challenge pandora. Retrieved from http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/93603/clear-channel-announces-iheartradio-music-festival
Associated Press (2011, July 13). Clear channel swipes at pandora with iheartradio revamp. Retrieved from http://ibnlive.in.com/news/clear-channel-swipes-at-pandora-with-iheartradio-revamp/167054-11.html
iHeartRadio Music Festival Video Announcment (2011, July 11). Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/iheartradio-music-festival/
Wall St. Cheat Sheet (2011, June 15). Pandora CEO Joseph Kennedy: Here's how we're going to take over the music world. Retrieved from http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/pandora-ceo-joseph-kennedy-heres-how-were-going-to-take-over-the-music-world.html/


Images:
[iHeartRadio logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://crackberry.com/i-heart-radio-rolls-out-their-latest-update-boasting-os-5-compatibility-more
[iHeartRadio Music Festival logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.rickey.org/iheartradio-music-festival-hosted-by-ryan-seacrest/
[Pandora logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://pocketnow.com/android/pandora-internet-radio-for-android-updated-to-version-159

Three Music Publishers You May Not Know

Typically when we think of music publishing companies to license our songs and music, major names like BMG, EMI and Universal are what come to mind.  Here is a look at three lesser known independent music publishers that are actually pretty big in their own right.

Chrysalis Music - http://www.chrysalismusic.com/

Although Los Angeles based, Chrysalis also has locations in Nashville, New York and abroad in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France. They offer mechanical, synchronization and print licensing of works by a wide range of artists and songwriters they have on their roster. Finger Eleven, Gnarls Barkley, Estelle, Cee-Lo, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and even actor turned singer/songwriter Robert Downey Jr. are just some of the many artists whose songs are licensed by Chrysalis Music. When describing the company, President Kenny MacPherson states, “Our strength as a company is in our name and all that it stands for. It’s a brand name that points to our great legacy of finding and developing artists” (“Music Publishing,” n.d.).

Peer Music - http://www.peermusic.com/peermusic/index.cfm

Peer Music was established by music producer Ralph Peer back in 1928, and today has “32 offices in 28 countries around the world," hence why the company refers to itself as “the Global Independent” (“Company History," n.d.). In Peer Music’s catalog you’ll find many works by number of Latin artists as well as songwriters/singers like Melanie C (formerly of the Spice Girls), the late Buddy Holly and Ester Dean (who wrote chart toppers like Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Rihanna’s “S&M”). Peer Music provides many licenses for use of its clients’ material including synch licenses for advertising, TV, film, video games or other interactive media, as well as lyric reprint, adaptation/derivative and live performance licenses.

Bug Music -  http://www.bugmusic.com/

Bug Music is a music publishing leader that was started in Los Angeles in 1975 by a man named Dan Bourgoise.  His great love of the music industry has led to the company’s success and expansion to other offices in New York, Nashville, Munich and London (“About Us,” n.d.).  Bug Music provides mechanical, print, synchronization, and performance licenses for songs by some talented clients like Bruno Mars, Kara DioGuardi, Iggy Pop and Tenacious D.

For a list of even more music publishers throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, visit http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/publisherlist.html.

References:

About Us. (n.d.). Bug Music. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.bugmusic.com/aboutus.aspx

Company History. (n.d.) Peer Music. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.peermusic.com/peermusic/index.cfm/about-us/company-history/

Music Publishing. (n.d.) Chrysalis Music Group USA. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://chrysalismusicusa.com/about/what-we-do/music-publishing/

Images:

[Bug Music logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2010/06/indie-publisher-bug-music-for-sale-for-300m.html

[Chrysalis Music logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.musikmarkt.de/Aktuell/News/News/Warner-und-BMG-an-Chrysalis-interessiert-Freitag-05.-November-2010

[Peer Music logo]. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.musicnotes.com/publishers/peermusic.asp