P2P networking, how well can it work for an up and coming artist?

P2P networking, how well can it work for an up and coming artist?

Research shows that napster and MP3 are among the first generation of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking services that allow for the illicit swapping of music files on line. What once threatened the record company executives is now the center of hope for digital entrepreneurs.  Des Freeman offers keen insight on the threats and advantages of this increasing popular culture in his journal, Managing Pirate Culture: Corporate Responses to Peer-to-Peer Networking. Freedman, Des. "Managing Pirate Culture: Corporate Responses To Peer-To-Peer Networking." JMM: The International Journal On Media Management 5.3 (2003): 173-179. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.

Many can remember the famous lawsuit, Recording - Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) against P2P network Napster in June 2000. Those attacks accused such networking of imposing widespread and damaging copyright infringements. Just as the evolution of most new cultures is presented with resistance, the digital networking culture has undergone its share of attacks, as well. Some of the arguments made are worthy of consideration for the future of entertainment industry at large. The drop of sales in CD’s begin its decline as early as 2003, according to the International Federation of Phonogram and Video gram Producers (IFPI). Freeman argues that blaming one sole issue, like Internet downloading, is not likely to be the cause. He says, “ throughout its history the music industry has been subject to cycles of boom and slump, none which have been caused by a single identifiable factor such as piracy).” 

This journal associates today’s controversy of P2P networking with that of previous generations, citing the fall in sales that occurred when the radio of 1920's and  home taping and audiocassette recorders on 1970's  was first introduced. Just as we witnessed a return in upward sales in the past, it is hopeful that the music industry will rebound as the changes invite the willingness of the industry as a whole to embrace this trend.

The Internet provides a rich highway of social media opportunities. Despite the antagonistic debates, a birth of the second -generation services emerged, including success stories like morpheusmedia  and gnutellaforums .

 Today an artist has a wide array of choices, many leading to effective face to face (F2F) venues for chances of continued sales. Among the growing trends are reverbnation, which offers such promotional tools as Artists Labels, Managers, Fan Management, and nationwide venues. The use of widgets and banners available to their customers empowers artist to expand their music sharing and marketing exponentially. Some sites are designed to enhance the opportunity for an artist to be featured as a leader amongst their peers like musicclout. Their current solicitation for artist is promoted on twitter and invites participation to F2F markets for a celebration and artist performances. Still others like torrentbar aka KaZoa also markets games and a chance for an artist to share music through rhapsody. Another P2P, waneenterprises.com offers an artist a venue to market their videos.

Will work as a model help a recording artist?

Is Modeling a Strategy that could help an RB artist jump start their career?

With an interest in artist management, I am constantly on the hunt for learning new strategies that have worked effectively for those stars that have achieved their goals.  When turning to the publication by Meyers, T. (2008). RIHANNA UMBRELLAS FROM TOTES. Advertising Age, 79(43), S-16, we learn that many large corporation use the strategy of promoting their product lines by seeking an artist who would model their goods.

This method has been implemented effectively for corporations that want to benefit from the fame of an Artist.  Through the artist’s associations with particular company products, profits are said to improve remarkably. In marketing, this concept is taught as part of branding. The Entrepreneur magazine says it this way,” An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets.” Due to success with branding, searching for that artist is in fact the natural order for doing business.

Finding a celebrity to model your products is so important, that companies will make special financial changes to invest in what they perceive as the right individual.  In 2006, the makers of Totes and Isotones had just invested in a ton of money in a line of umbrellas designed to target a population of mature, working conservatives. That following year, Totes learned that an up and coming R & B/Pop artist, Rhianna was about to release a song called Umbrella. This information was used to make a decision for the corporation to instantly recalibrate their entire marketing campaign. They quickly created a fresh new line of umbrellas.

            Rhianna went on to receive her first Grammy from that song. Research shows the decision worked good for Totes, as well. They turned social media networks to monitor the trends. The lead marketer, Tiffany Meyers reports, “Totes relied heavily on media mentions placed through Northlich, Cincinnati, which reports more than 350 million media impressions so far.” In observations, the top two cites that the makers of the totes, rain products at Totes-Isotoner Corp. begin to monitor are celebrity-gossip blog found at http://www.perezhilton.com/Rihanna and http://www.totes-isotoner.com.

This concept of selecting an artist to serve as an ambassador of specific consumer product has huge potential for tapping into the required finances for an artist to develop their style and performances. In an effort to enhance the possibility of endorsements, I have registered my first clients with local modeling companies. The first to call is found on this website; http://agencymodelsandtalent.com/new-talent.html.

By working as a model, my artist are able to build their skills and capacity to function in advertising for magazines, videos, and future commercials as well as other screen opportunities. At this point the funds earned as a model can help in small ways for an up an coming artist. Although, the possibilities for future endorsements are unlimited.

 Rhianna went on to use her modeling in landing contract with Nivea. It is reported to be up to 25 million dollars.  Nivea is the company that signed her as a model for their skin-cleansing product.  With so much at stake, it is helpful to learn the challenges that may come with accepting those endorsements. Rhianna ‘s extreme success with social media networks like FaceBook and twitter also made her an easy target for bashing her.  placed her at the center of their focus, when the Nivea company decided to let her go.

The recent negative attention about the loss of a contract with Nivea can be seen on the video posted by ModaMob.  In the video, the conversation turns towards the question of why was Rhianna let go.  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEN7Vnxyikg.
 Ultimately, working as a model does enhance options for an upcoming artist. If that great contract comes along, the pressure is on to maintain a lifestyle that is seen as socially responsible. Otherwise one could loose the work, as quick as they got it.

Other sites you may be interested in

http://www.wehmann.com/newtalent.php

http://ignite-models.com/

http://www.carynmodels.com/

http://www.meredithagency.com/

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 ‪http://twitter.com/modamob