New research from eMarketer proclaims that a shift to mobile helps define the largest growth in total media ad spending since 2004. Total media spending will reach $180-billion in 2014, according to the research projection — that’s a 5.3% boost from 2013. Starting this year, mobile advertising will surpass radio ad revenue, newspaper ad spends, and magazine advertising. Continue Reading
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One month ago we reported that ROK Mobile was gearing up for a July 4 launch of its music app (ROK Music) and unlimited cell-service. Both have happened, though the wireless service portion is a tightly limited roll-out. Here’s the deal: $50/month for unlimited streaming, and a brand new music service. T-Mobile is in the unlimited-music space now, too. Can ROK differentiate itself enough to lure consumers? Continue Reading
In the claim and counter-claim of the connected car frontier, the land grab has escalated from digital services planting flags on digital dashboards to broad technology platforms largely defining the operating systems of driving. In other words, Apple and Google are belting it out for dominance, just as they are with smartphones and tablets. The car is becoming a consumer electronics device.
In its the latest parry, Apple has announced nine new automakers to sign on with Apple’s dashboard OS, called CarPlay. Google is making its own news with Android Auto. Continue Reading
A cease-fire has reportedly been established in the confusing hostility between Google-owned YouTube, which is building a subscription-based, music-only streaming service to start this summer, and indie-label groups that wish to have their content included. After an apparent break in talks, marked by protests from the label side, negotiations have resumed Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthwhile reads from around the web. TODAY: the U.K.’s main top-40 hits chart adds streaming data. Ariana Grande lands on top. Also, a fascinating timeline called America’s Soundtrack commemorates historical moments with music. Continue Reading
Nielsen Soundscan’s annual mid-year report, issued each June, shows the first half of 2014 continuing a definitive consumer migration from purchasing albums to streaming songs. The main takeaway from Nielsen’s mid-year report is that the trend toward streaming appears to be accelerating. In January, Nielsen’s full-year report of 2013 indicated 32% growth in streaming compared to 2012. In 2014, the year-over-year pace is +42% rise in streaming at the year’s midpoint. Continue Reading
Broadcast law attorney David Oxenford continues his “Summer of Copyright” series with Part 2, covering the second Judiciary Committee hearing of music licensing issues. This extraordinary summary, and identification of key issues, is a must-read. “These are significant issues that affect all of the music industry. And they are issues that are not easily resolved, as many stakeholders have differing and sometimes inconsistent and contradictory positions on these issues.” Continue Reading
In a move that’s been rumored for several weeks now, Google announced yesterday that they’re buying the personalizable multichannel webcaster Songza. The purchase seems like an odd one for Google, given its historical preference for algorithmically-created products. The problem, however, is that music is difficult to program on a purely algorithmic basis: An intense Seals & Crofts song, for example, may sound acoustically similar to a mellow Led Zeppelin song, but an experienced music programmer (i.e., a human being) would be able to discern that they’re culturally very dissimilar.
RAIN founding editor Kurt Hanson explores why the Songza acquisition might be a smart investment for Google. Continue Reading
According to a Zipcar study released earlier this year, Millennials — that generational segment born after 1980 or so who are adults now — think that having a smartphone is a lot more important than having a car. Meanwhile, only 16% of persons over 35 would rather do without their phone than their car, and 40% of that age group put the car at the top of things they would not want to do without.
This wide discrepancy in the need to own a car has the auto industry back on its heels. It’s a sea change that has implications for all kinds of other business segments as well – including radio. Guest columnist Jennifer Lane proposes an opportunity for radio to engage with Millennials. Continue Reading
by James Cridland
James Cridland, U.K.-based radio futurologist, delivered an opening-day speech at Radio Days Johannesburg. He examined the threats radio faces in the digital era, including shifting demographics, reduced time spent, and competition in the car. He also notes radio’s built-in advantages, but ends with a warning against complacency. Continue Reading
When Jason Calacanis delivered his powerful keynote address at RAIN Summit West in April, he ended with a declaration: “Mobile is the only thing that matters. Mobile is the only thing that matters. Mobile is the only thing that matters.” Calacanis was projecting into the future, and his conviction is documented in the present, with trendlines showing that audio is increasingly a walk-around activity.
RAIN Summit Indy will bring these trendlines and much more to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on September 9, in the Mobile Is the New Black panel. Continue Reading