Comments on: iTunes / Universal Split Finds Music Biz in Dire Straits http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/ Marketing blog focused on marketing optimization, improving website conversion rates, search engine marketing, web analytics, word of mouth, etc. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:57:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Radiohead Lets Fans Choose How Much to Pay for Album http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/comment-page-1/#comment-227336 Radiohead Lets Fans Choose How Much to Pay for Album Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:14:52 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/#comment-227336 [...] exclusively online?* Or the time when William Morris Agency Worldwide Head of International Music Ed Bicknell scoffed at me for asking why any band in its right marketing mind needs a major label? Well, it [...] [...] exclusively online?* Or the time when William Morris Agency Worldwide Head of International Music Ed Bicknell scoffed at me for asking why any band in its right marketing mind needs a major label? Well, it [...]

]]> By: Robert Gorell http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/comment-page-1/#comment-97545 Robert Gorell Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:37:33 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/#comment-97545 All great points, but iTunes needs content to be taken seriously. If the major labels have such problems with them, and indies can't get in the front door, then iTunes progressively becomes a joke. Of course people only have 3% of their music downloaded from iTunes; it doesn't sell 97% of the good stuff out there. The iPod sells itself, but they need iTunes to be healthy if they're really going to push things like Apple TV and anything else that helps your network revolve around Apple. Sure, I'll agree that Universal has more to lose in the short-term, but if Apple's arrogance with iTunes continues, they'll be in even worse shape when Amazon beats them on the short tail while sites like Beatport.com take niche market share in droves. Thanks for the great comment, NDP. It's definitely food for thought. All great points, but iTunes needs content to be taken seriously. If the major labels have such problems with them, and indies can’t get in the front door, then iTunes progressively becomes a joke.

Of course people only have 3% of their music downloaded from iTunes; it doesn’t sell 97% of the good stuff out there. The iPod sells itself, but they need iTunes to be healthy if they’re really going to push things like Apple TV and anything else that helps your network revolve around Apple.

Sure, I’ll agree that Universal has more to lose in the short-term, but if Apple’s arrogance with iTunes continues, they’ll be in even worse shape when Amazon beats them on the short tail while sites like Beatport.com take niche market share in droves.

Thanks for the great comment, NDP. It’s definitely food for thought.

]]> By: NDP http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/comment-page-1/#comment-97519 NDP Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:12:48 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/#comment-97519 You are incorrect in your assesment that Apple needs Universal. Only 3% of all music thats loaded onto iPods is purchased from the iTunes Music Store. Steve Jobs said this himself. That means the overwhelming vast majority of iPod owners are getting their music from their own CD collections or from pirated music. Universal isn't helping Apple to sell iPods, but Apple IS helping Universal to make money selling music. Universal is the one with everything to lose here and I hope Apple stays firm and refuses to budge on its terms even if it means pulling Universal's catalog from the iTunes Music Store for a while. Every day that goes by will mean millions in lost sales for Universal. They'll come back around eventually. You are incorrect in your assesment that Apple needs Universal. Only 3% of all music thats loaded onto iPods is purchased from the iTunes Music Store. Steve Jobs said this himself. That means the overwhelming vast majority of iPod owners are getting their music from their own CD collections or from pirated music. Universal isn’t helping Apple to sell iPods, but Apple IS helping Universal to make money selling music. Universal is the one with everything to lose here and I hope Apple stays firm and refuses to budge on its terms even if it means pulling Universal’s catalog from the iTunes Music Store for a while. Every day that goes by will mean millions in lost sales for Universal. They’ll come back around eventually.

]]> By: iTunes / Universal Split Finds Music Biz in Dire Straits http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/comment-page-1/#comment-95263 iTunes / Universal Split Finds Music Biz in Dire Straits Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:14:48 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/03/itunes-universal-split-finds-music-biz-in-dire-straits/#comment-95263 [...] has been headed for disaster since well before Universal Music Group split with the iTunes store.read more | digg [...] [...] has been headed for disaster since well before Universal Music Group split with the iTunes store.read more | digg [...]

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