PROJECT BRIEF

Background

• The music industry holds an interest for us in terms of future employment, therefore its future is relatively important to us.

• It seems that the music industry (record companies, artists etc) are at a kind of crossroads where the music industry is perhaps lagging behind technology, and as such it has become increasingly difficult for record companies and artists to make money from music (Due to file sharing and consequent lack of CD sales; record companies/artists being currently unable to make the same money through digital means as they were from CD sales).

• Developing ideas about the future of the music industry would be good for future endeavours.

Aims

• To develop a comprehensive knowledge of the current music industry landscape

• To identify possible developments in the music industry with respect to new ways of money-making (distribution, marketing etc)

Scope

• This study will trace recent developments in the music industry with the intention of predicting what the future holds for record companies, artists and consumers.

Research Questions

• Are record companies and artists taking full advantage of the online music market?

• How can record companies and artists take better advantage of the digital realm in terms of distribution and marketing?

• What are the new that may emerge for money-making in music?

• Are there any untapped opportunities for money-making in music?

Research Design

• Interviews with: - Band members

- Record industry professionals

- Consumers

- Marketers

- Digital experts

• Looking at record company sites & existing distribution sites/platforms

• Articles: research journals, newspapers, music blogs

Outcomes:

• A report documenting the project, including data collection, analysis, research conclusions and recommendations.

The report will be presented on a blog, with links to other research and examples of pre-existing models of online music.

Possible answers or solutions to the research question.

Throughout the project, individuals will also be using their blogs to document the projects progress.

Time - line

• Start late March

• Finished and submitted June 12th
  

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