Same spiel, different year
This makes me laugh. In a sad, ironic way.
It also makes me glad that I split when I did, because as demoralized as I was then (along with many of my fellow IT compatriots), I think I’d be suicidal by now.
Levy says they’re “going through a huge transition at the moment.” But it’s been eight years since Napster hit the scene. Eight years of mis-steps on the part of the music industry. Eight years of floundering where it comes to leveraging the Internet and information technology in general. Eight years of misplaced IT focus and budget.
Levy says that the industry’s future lays in “spotting the right creative talent.” Not quite three years ago, I heard the same statement in a Town Hall meeting, given as an answer to a (very brave) employee’s question regarding downsizing and layoffs. The logic went like this: We need to offer impressive salaries and benefits to executives that will bring in talented artists who will make music that sells. In other words, we’re willing to spend thousands of dollars to redo an executive’s private bathroom – including moving a toilet six feet so that he doesn’t have to plant his ass on the same porcelain that his predecessor did – because he’s cozy with some key players.
Levy says that “If we (have the right creative policy) and if we understand the technology well and the consumer well, then … digital entertainment will continue to expand and will be very successful.”
What does that mean?
Obviously, I understand the intended meaning, but what are they doing differently now? Are they listening to the technology experts? Are they investing in technology? Are they changing processes to incorporate that technology? Is technology truly a priority, a means to an end other than the ability to surf the Internet for naked pictures?
I’m cynical because I’m not confident that they’re doing anything differently. And I’m vocal because I don’t ever intend to return to the industry. And I’m both cynical and vocal because I’ve heard the same spiel, from different executives, in different venues, too many times.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I’m not as tech savvy as I could be, but even I wondered why the music industry didn’t take advantage of online music downloading.
I can remember all the years in high school where I bought an entire CD only liking one song.
But I would rather pay the artist (and all the people who worked hard to produce an album) for his work then steal something online like those early years of Napster.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
The music industry has proven that it hates artists and it hates consumers…so screw ‘em. Why do they exist, anymore?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
ilove itunes on my iphone.
See that’s about all I have to contribute to this conversation.
Sad, but true.
Go you for having an inkling of how to even approach this article!