Sony/ATV's Martin Bandier Repeats Warning to ASCAP, BMI

Sony/ATV Music Publishing sent a letter to its songwriters in the last day, updating them on where the company stands with regards to performance rights, re-iterating Martin Bandier's intention to withdraw from the two U.S. major performing rights organizations and also reveals the news that the company is appealing both the ASCAP and BMI Pandora rate court rulings.
The major music publishers have long complained that they don't get market-share royalty rates from digital music services and, as a way to change that, began withdrawing digital rights from ASCAP and BMI. But the judges in both the ASCAP and BMI rate-setting lawsuits ruled that publishers must be either all-in or all-out.

In other words, if they want to do direct licensing for digital services, they have to do it for everyone. The judges said that the consent decrees which the two PROs operate under does not allow partial withdrawals.

After those rulings, the publishers and PROs reached out to the Dept. of Justice, asking them to review the consent decrees with the goal of having them amended to allow partial withdrawals.
Most publishers would rather not withdraw from the PROs because replicating general licensing for the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of businesses that use music in their stores, bars, planes, hotels and clubs, would be extremely costly.

Nevertheless, Sony/ATV chairman and CEO Bandier says that, if it turns out that his appeal asking the rate courts to allow partial withdrawal or if the U.S. Dept. of Justice doesn't revise the consent decrees, then the company is "exploring other options, including the potential complete withdrawal of all rights from ASCAP and BMI."


In the letter to Sony/ATV's songwriters, Bandier wrote: "It is our hope that the DOJ and appeals process will recognize the benefits and fairness produced by partial withdrawals of performance rights."

If that occurs, then they could use ASCAP and BMI for collective licensing, where it makes sense.
"That being said, because the DOJ and legal process is not fully within our control, we may have no alternative but to take all of our rights out of ASCAP and BMI," the letter continues. "We recognize that full withdrawal is a significant step and we are carefully looking at all of the issues associated with this, including speaking with potential partners to assist us."

In an interview, Bandier said he is optimistic that the DOJ review will result in the consent decree being amended so Sony/ATV won't have to withdraw from the PROs to attain higher rates.
He pointed out that Rihanna's song "Diamonds" had 52 million streams, but the four songwriters were only paid $78,000 ($0.0015 per stream). That payment amount "doesn't make sense," he said.
With mechanical rates on the decline, and with digital streaming -- both passive and on-demand -- growing that performance rights become even more important, Bandier argued. "Sadly, the rates that are paid in that area are not equitable or adequate," Bandier said. "Its like writers' 401k's are being wiped out."


By Ed Christman

Click For Full Article

http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/publishing/6157469/sonyatvs-martin-bandier-repeats-warning-to-ascap-bmi

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7 ways to enchant your audience

Do you ever bring audience members on stage, or ask for the audience's help? Doing so could make you their new favorite speaker.

How can you go beyond the usual efforts to create a successful presentation and enchant your audience? What are the secrets to creating magic with a speech?
Here are seven ways to take your speech beyond the ordinary. Some of them will be familiar, but hopefully at least one will be new to you, and help you connect with your audience better:


1. Tell a story. "Of course I tell stories," you're thinking. But do you make your whole speech a story? You probably just drop in the occasional anecdote.
Think about the standard Hollywood three-act structure. Do you raise the ante a third of the way through your talk, and then again two-thirds of the way through? Do you introduce conflict and suspense? Do you keep the audience on tenterhooks until the final curtain?
If you don't, you're not using storytelling the way you should to create forward momentum and suspense in a speech.


2. Involve the audience. The sweetest sound just about anyone can hear is the sound of his or her name. So, bring members of the audience in as examples, testimonials, subjects, exemplars of excellence and so on. Cite them, call them out and use them as the heroes of your stories. You'll have to do your homework to make this technique work, but the results will certainly justify the effort.


3. Bring the audience on stage. The most vivid and memorable form of audience involvement is to bring someone from the group onstage and have them do something relevant and fun. This technique should always be voluntary or arranged in advance—don't drag an unwilling person on stage with you.


4. Engage the audience in a unique way.There are few greater thrills rock bands can give their audiences then to play a song for the first time, or bring someone famous on stage to jam with them. Consider what the speaker equivalent would be. What can you do to give the audience a one-of-a-kind experience?


5. Poll the audience.Audiences today expect to participate. So, let them. Ask for their help in choosing or deciding something. It's not fair to expect audiences to create something from scratch and have it be of high quality, so don't ask them to come up with a name for something unless you can get them to pick from a list.


6. Enlist the audience's help. Get the audience to sign up for your cause. Get audience members to pledge to a worthwhile effort or commit to a goal. Get them to donate time, help or work. Audiences love when you ask for their help—as long as you do it in the right way—so don't be shy. First engage them with the worthiness of the cause, and then enlist them in the effort.



7. Thank the audience. What the speaker shares with an audience is a gift, and even the dullest speaker deserves appreciation. Similarly, the audience gives the speaker the gift of attention. Thank the audience when you're done. Give them a code, coupon, discount-some kind of present to show your appreciation. Say thank you, and mean it.
Every audience is an opportunity to connect and build community in ways that go beyond the usual handouts and slides. Stretch yourself as a speaker, and figure out something unique for each audience. You and your audience will be glad you did.

By Nick Morgan (For Ragan.com)


Click for Original Article

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/48424.aspx#


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company focusing on publicity, radio promotion,
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#LBIndieSongOfTheWeek: Tifa "Bak it Up"

 

Recently named by Largeup.com among the Top 10 Reggae/Dancehall Greatest Lady Deejays, Tifa has released her latest single via Island Kings Recordsb "Bak it Up" Produced by Sean "Due" Lashley formally of MBK Entertainment & GoodthymeClick/MaxaMusic Group

This is a Hot Dancehall Tune that will be burning up the clubs this summer


Log on to www.islandkingsrecords.com
Follow on Twitter
@ItsTheTifa
@Islandkingsrec

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#LBIndieSongOfTheWeek: Amy Lynn & The Gunshow - Don't Trip On The Glitter

Amy Lynn & The Gunshow - Dont Trip On the Glitter

 

 

Amy Lynn & The Gunshow is a seven-piece machine that blows glitter all over the traditional memphis-motown soul/rock style. At the controls is Amy Lynn, a vocal powerhouse whose unique flair of quirky, down-to-earth humor countervails against the serious musicianship of The Gunshow’s team of bari sax, tenor sax, trumpet, keys, bass, and drums. Both together and apart, members of The Gunshow draw on a range of experience playing for acts such as Roberta Flack, Spoon, Bette Midler, Red Baraat, St. Vincent, The National, Yo La Tengo, Loser's Lounge, Duffy, Antibalas, and the Radio City Orchestra.

Check them out

@AmyLynnGunshow

 

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L&B Consultation: is a full service Multimedia Marketing & Consulting
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Beats Co-Founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine Expected to Take on Senior Roles at Apple Following Acquisition

Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and musician Dr. Dre are both expected to take on senior roles at Apple following Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics, reports The Wall Street Journal. The two may not take on full time positions, but will commute from the Los Angeles area, where Beats is based, to meetings in Cupertino and elsewhere as necessary. 

Citing people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal suggests that specific roles for Iovine and Dre remain unclear, but Iovine will be leaving his role as chairman of Interscope Geffan A&M records, a division of Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group. Both Dr. Dre -- real name Andre Young -- and Iovine could help Apple secure deals with record labels and attract younger customers.

While Mr. Iovine's rock-star temperament could still ruffle some feathers in tech-centric Cupertino, it may help Apple broker deals in the music industry and appeal to the younger consumers who gravitate to Beats headphones.

Apple is said to be working on an overhaul of iTunes in order to boost declining music sales. The addition of the Beats Music streaming service along with a thriving hardware business and two seasoned veterans of the music industry may help the company achieve the drastic revamp it's aiming for while introducing new revenue streams. 

Today's report follows a report from the New York Post suggesting Iovine will join Apple as a "special adviser" to Tim Cook on creative matters. While Apple's $3.2 billion acquisition of Beats Electronics has yet to be completed, Dr. Dre seemingly confirmed the acquisition in avideo posted this morning, where he alluded the merger would make him the "first billionaire in hip-hop." 

As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Apple's hiring of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine represents Tim Cook's willingness to step out of the spotlight. Earlier this month, the companywelcomed former Burberry CEO and high-profile hire Angela Ahrendts as the new retail chief. Other Apple executives, like Jony Ive and Craig Federighi, have also been stepping into the spotlight more often than they did under Steve Jobs.

By Juli Clover for MacRumors.com

CLICK FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/09/drdre-and-jimmy-iovine-to-join-apple/

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Goodwill goes a long way..

Goodwill goes a long way..

 

 

By "The Boss"

(Why attaching your company or brand to a cause or charity can increase your company's profits)

One of the main things we advise our clients to do is to pick a cause or charity (that they believe in) and then attach themselves to it. This strategy facilitates goodwill and positive press for a brand as well as gain new supporters and customers.Today's market place, thanks in part to the explosion of social media is extremely over-saturated. The market place is filled with individuals who are either selling something, offering a service, part of a network marketing company or most of all aspiring entertainers. If you are reading this you just may be one of the fore-mentioned "over saturated many". Therefore you have probably asked yourself how do I stand out?

One of the most tried and true methods is Goodwill Marketing or charitable marketing. Whether you are a musician, actor, comedian or you are a small business volunteering your time, effort and/or money is a great way to promote what you do.

Why does good will marketing work?

Today's society is very "Me" conscious and Ego driven. It is almost impossible to gain support or attention when a good number of your target market are “doing their own thing” at the same time you are. Goodwill Marketing separates you from the pack. (If done correctly of course and with the right publicity)

In addition to staying above the fray. Goodwill Marketing will compel "like-minded" individuals to become supporters and ultimately customers. A good example of this is Credo Mobile. Credo mobile is a telecommunications company that among other things offers cell phone and mobile data services. They are competing against the T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s of the world but is able to find a very loyal and profitable customer base.

How is a small start up Telecommunications Company able to compete against their established and entrenched competition?

The answer: Goodwill Marketing

 

Credo Mobile has attached itself to "The progressive" movement. Credo mobile gives a portion of their revenue to progressive causes and candidates. With super-packs and campaign donations basically playing the primary role in the United States electoral process, Credo Mobile saw a lane to drive down. Credo Mobile advertised on "progressive talk radio", gave donations for progressive candidates and causes. This lead to people who consider their politics progress or liberal to do business with Credo Mobile. Now this not a "plug" for Credo Mobile's politics but it is an example that if you choose a cause that is popular and attach your brand to that cause you will ultimately gain customers who share an affiliation to that cause.

I would like to offer a word of caution; SINCERITY. Do not choose a cause or charity you do not believe in and or know nothing about because this will backfire on you and your brand. The true activists can always spot a phony and its just not good karma.

 

Goodwill Marketing is an effective tool that you can pull out of the box. It generates awareness to your brand, will garner you positive media attention and a loyal and engaged customer base. Goodwill marketing is a key strategy that L&B Consultation employs regularly and when used in concert with other marketing and publicity principles it will increase the visibility of your brand and ultimately profits.

　

　

About us:
L&B Consultation: is a full service Multimedia Marketing & Consulting
company focusing on publicity, radio promotion,
brand identification, brand management

Check out www.LbConsultation.com
Follow us on Twitter @LBConsultation

WELCOME TO L&B CONSULTATION

 

 

 

 

L&B Consultation is a full service Multimedia Marketing & Consulting company focusing on publicity, radio promotion, brand identification, brand management

Services:

 

 

- Brand Management
- Online Reputation Management
- Radio Promotion
- Press Releases
- Blogger Outreach
- Bios
- Website Design
- Web Hosting
- Social Media Optimization
- Marketing Strategies
- Press Kits
- Media Alerts
- Event Planning
- Media Relations

Projects/Clients (Past & Present)

Woman (Single) - Beenie Man

Nore Davis - Actor & Comedian credits include HBO Boardwalk Empire

Top Black & Faded (Single) - S-Shata/French Montana

Hype (Songwriter/Producer) - credits include Fabolous, Fat Joe, television scores
Revolt TV's "The Gate", Oxygen TV's "Bad Girls Club"

Malikah Amoh & Timmy's Heart Foundation - Socialite & Philanthropist

Free Distress LLC - Financial Services & Mortgage Restructuring Services

Nikki Chin - Fashion Designer

AK Couture Boutique & Beautry Bar Grand Opening

Wonder Mke & Master Gee of the Original Sugarhill Gang & More

Info@LBConsultation.com