On the front page of today’s "New York Times" there’s a fascinating story on the economic crisis in Europe.  The public is pissed.  The government and the banks ruined the economy and they’re supposed to pay for it? This thinking is bubbling under the surface in America.  But it is rarely acknowledged.  The American paradigm […]

Distribution is king.  Remember that please.  He who owns the pipe wins.  It’s why John Malone is so rich and powerful, to the point where one can argue HE is the most important person in the music business, owning so much stock in Live Nation.  Distribution is not glamorous, but it’s where the action is.  […]

This is all about name-recognition.  Investors are stupid.  They know little about the products of the companies they lay their dollars down for.  They’re acting on buzz. And buzz has nothing to do with profits.  Certainly not long term. What we’ve got here is a phenomenal job of brand-building.  Tim Westergren, like a carnival barker […]

Or lack thereof. The sales figures are in.  Adele beat out Lady Gaga.  At least by the "Hits" numbers.  113,000 and change to 105,000 and change.  (One can ask why the SoundScan and "Hits" numbers are so similar and SoundScan charges so much for theirs but…) So what do we want to say here?  That […]