I might not be the Mike you're looking for, but I wrote this piece... and my name is also Mike.
In any case, the point of this post is that artists of any size (in this case: megastar) can sell things that are "not music" and expect to do well if it's executed properly. And as you point out, the marketing folks behind this move could not be executing this better -- they've even got WalMart involved to push Bieber nail polish.... so this will most likely be a slam dunk for Bieber.
It's obviously harder for small bands and individual performers to coordinate a "nail polish" line... but coming up with things to sell that "fit" with an audience is critical. We'd love to hear about more examples of small bands coming up with "stuff that engages their fans".... because small bands have to be more creative than "nail polish" to get attention and gain more fans.
Thanks for the answer, Nate. It's nice to hear from the intern viewpoint, too. Internship programs should be mutually beneficial, but I suppose the law restricts the employer benefit to be "non-immediate"... which might not be how employers really would like it.
That's a whole other topic.... whether or not a market based on statistics is a rational concept. I purposely avoided addressing that point when I was writing this post up -- mostly because I wasn't sure if futures markets based on non-real commodities already existed.
Certainly there are all sorts of prediction markets and gambling pools, but are any of them endorsed by the SEC? Hmm.
Um. That's an interesting point about synch rights, but since Pomplamoose is performing covers -- I don't think synch rights apply to them?
However, I'm sure if Youtube covers get more popular... the mechanical rights agreements will become increasingly difficult for indie bands to figure out. It's not even entirely clear how Pomplamoose can claim "it's easy" to buy mechanical rights for the songs they've covered. Is Pomplamoose a non-subscription ad-supported service...? http://harryfox.com/public/RateCriteria.jsp
There is nothing Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release.
Hi Hephaestus,
I've been a lurker in these parts for quite some time. And I didn't do anything with Mike....
If there's nothing special about a theatrical release, then it seems like there should be a lot more experimentation with the business model behind distributing movies. I think Netflix has the potential to become its own studio of sorts. And maybe HBO will be able to expand into theaters someday?
But as I mention above in other comments -- what if there were other metrics besides box office numbers? Netflix-like ratings could be a cheaper way to obtain a "box office" measure. There could still be release windows, too....
I think we'll see more and more "Netflix recommendation" services that replace the box office metrics. If you released a movie to a bunch of Netflix subscribers who were specially-picked beta testers -- their ratings could be more effective at predicting the popularity of a movie than spending millions on distributing film to theaters.
Sure. I think we agree that content is advertising (and vice versa)....
My point here is that theatrical releases might not be the best way to advertise a movie. Is buying a superbowl ad for a movie the best way to promote a movie? Sometimes. Sometimes not. (or oftentimes not.) Sometimes the best promotion for a movie is a more viral/grassroots campaign.
The costs of distributing film to movie theaters is almost like buying a superbowl ad -- if that's how you're promoting a movie. I'm suggesting that some movies (or more movies) can be effectively promoted by distributing them over the internet to people's homes.
Maybe Avatar wouldn't have been as big a hit if it were made available on Blu-Ray first and then distributed on the big screen. But there might be other movies that fit a "home first, theater later" approach.
At the end of the day, Apple wants to make a profitable business. If it can do so with closed platforms, then it will. If the developer audience somehow revolts against these NDAs, then Apple will probably change its terms. But until that happens, it doesn't seem likely -- especially given that the secrecy that Apple requires sometimes generates more interest in its upcoming features.
It's really about fashion. If Apple were forced to tell everyone what the "new black" would be this Fall, it's products wouldn't have the same heightened demand. Apple's developers should know this... and play along if they want to benefit from the same "reality distortion field" that gets created.
Innovation is all about how you do it, not whether you were the first to do it.
You can re-work the story of Dances with Wolves or Pocahontas... and make it a 3D movie with blue aliens... The story isn't that original, but the implementation can be innovative.
Or you can look at the social network from ~1998, Six Degrees, and re-create it as Facebook... and be innovative by adding more features.
Or when there are already a handful of search engines, start up another one that presents results in a simple, uncluttered way...
There are a few projects in this stimulus program that go to universities... I suppose there's a better chance that those academic research projects will get published.
On the post: Justin Bieber Connects With His Fans Via Shiny Nail Polish
Re: haha
In any case, the point of this post is that artists of any size (in this case: megastar) can sell things that are "not music" and expect to do well if it's executed properly. And as you point out, the marketing folks behind this move could not be executing this better -- they've even got WalMart involved to push Bieber nail polish.... so this will most likely be a slam dunk for Bieber.
It's obviously harder for small bands and individual performers to coordinate a "nail polish" line... but coming up with things to sell that "fit" with an audience is critical. We'd love to hear about more examples of small bands coming up with "stuff that engages their fans".... because small bands have to be more creative than "nail polish" to get attention and gain more fans.
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Re: Before you Comment on Science learn some
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Re: story
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Re: recursion
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Re: renaming the title .... spelling Nazi stuff
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Re:
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Re: Futures Have an Underlying Instrument
That's a whole other topic.... whether or not a market based on statistics is a rational concept. I purposely avoided addressing that point when I was writing this post up -- mostly because I wasn't sure if futures markets based on non-real commodities already existed.
Certainly there are all sorts of prediction markets and gambling pools, but are any of them endorsed by the SEC? Hmm.
On the post: Modest Success Is Still Success For Indie Bands
Re: Re: Re: mechanical vs. synch rights
On the post: Modest Success Is Still Success For Indie Bands
Re: mechanical vs. synch rights
Um. That's an interesting point about synch rights, but since Pomplamoose is performing covers -- I don't think synch rights apply to them?
However, I'm sure if Youtube covers get more popular... the mechanical rights agreements will become increasingly difficult for indie bands to figure out. It's not even entirely clear how Pomplamoose can claim "it's easy" to buy mechanical rights for the songs they've covered. Is Pomplamoose a non-subscription ad-supported service...?
http://harryfox.com/public/RateCriteria.jsp
On the post: What Is So Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release?
There is nothing Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release.
I've been a lurker in these parts for quite some time. And I didn't do anything with Mike....
If there's nothing special about a theatrical release, then it seems like there should be a lot more experimentation with the business model behind distributing movies. I think Netflix has the potential to become its own studio of sorts. And maybe HBO will be able to expand into theaters someday?
On the post: What Is So Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release?
Re: Box office sets the pace
On the post: What Is So Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release?
Re: predictors
On the post: What Is So Special About A Movie's Theatrical Release?
... but the current way may not be optimal?
My point here is that theatrical releases might not be the best way to advertise a movie. Is buying a superbowl ad for a movie the best way to promote a movie? Sometimes. Sometimes not. (or oftentimes not.) Sometimes the best promotion for a movie is a more viral/grassroots campaign.
The costs of distributing film to movie theaters is almost like buying a superbowl ad -- if that's how you're promoting a movie. I'm suggesting that some movies (or more movies) can be effectively promoted by distributing them over the internet to people's homes.
Maybe Avatar wouldn't have been as big a hit if it were made available on Blu-Ray first and then distributed on the big screen. But there might be other movies that fit a "home first, theater later" approach.
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Re: Re: MIKE one quick question ....
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Re: It's about users
At the end of the day, Apple wants to make a profitable business. If it can do so with closed platforms, then it will. If the developer audience somehow revolts against these NDAs, then Apple will probably change its terms. But until that happens, it doesn't seem likely -- especially given that the secrecy that Apple requires sometimes generates more interest in its upcoming features.
It's really about fashion. If Apple were forced to tell everyone what the "new black" would be this Fall, it's products wouldn't have the same heightened demand. Apple's developers should know this... and play along if they want to benefit from the same "reality distortion field" that gets created.
On the post: The Myth Of Originality...
Re: Re: Re: Not So Fast
Innovation is all about how you do it, not whether you were the first to do it.
You can re-work the story of Dances with Wolves or Pocahontas... and make it a 3D movie with blue aliens... The story isn't that original, but the implementation can be innovative.
Or you can look at the social network from ~1998, Six Degrees, and re-create it as Facebook... and be innovative by adding more features.
Or when there are already a handful of search engines, start up another one that presents results in a simple, uncluttered way...
Being first isn't as important as being better...
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Re:
On the post: Columnist Claims Italy's Google Verdict Makes Sense
Re:
On the post: Will Bloom Energy Live Up To The Hype?
Re: delivery systems
Or are you suggesting the electrolysis of water at the end of water pipes?
Either way... not sure how you're getting a "large volume" of useful hydrogen to where it's needed....
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Re: Subsidies
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