How to thrive & survive as a public relations practitioner

At the beginning of the digital revolution it was common to ay that digital was killing music. Now, it could be said that digital is saving music. – Edgar Berger

2011 Overall: +3% Overall: +3% Digital album: +19% Digital album: +19% Digital tracks: +8.5% Digital tracks: +8.5% Digital album sales accounted for 31% of all album purchases Digital album sales accounted for 31% of all album purchases

1 in 5 American Internet users downloaded music through a P2P service in in 5 American Internet users downloaded music through a P2P service in in 10 American Internet users downloaded music through a P2P service in in 10 American Internet users downloaded music through a P2P service in % of people decreased P2P use because of streaming services 40% of people decreased P2P use because of streaming services 95% of music downloaded online is illegal 95% of music downloaded online is illegal Pirates purchase about 30% more music Pirates purchase about 30% more music

Single downloads  streaming

More than in the past, I’ve noticed high-end designers are looking to the streets and music festivals to find elements to include in their lines. –Tana Ward

Tape. 8tracks. Spotify. Sirius. Last.fm. Piki. Rdio. Rhapsody. Napster. MOG. CD. Vinyl. MySpace Music. Satellite. Streaming. Radio. Pandora. Analog. Ex.fm. Songza. Grooveshark.

Currently about 20 million paying subscribers to music streaming services worldwide Currently about 20 million paying subscribers to music streaming services worldwide Average American spends $17/year on music  $17/month Average American spends $17/year on music  $17/month Profitability Profitability Royalty rates Royalty rates

Artists didn’t make big money from CDs when they were introduced, either. They were a specialty thing, and had a lower royalty rate. Then, as it became mainstream, the royalties went up. And that’s what will happen here. – Donald Passman

There has been a lot of money lost in artist investment…in the future I see ourselves as advertising agencies. The industry won’t look the same as it used to (nor should it), and it won’t be structured in the same manner, but the industry is retooling in a way that bodes well for music (if not for the salaries of music industry executives).

Right now, we’re just in a little chaos. Things are resettling and re- shifting and people are trying stuff, people are getting laid off. Fewer records are being sold every day. The people left in the business are, I think, the best, the people who were there because they cared and have new ideas. Everyone else is gone. – Ben Folds – Ben Folds

DO… Know the industry moves fast Know the industry moves fast Manage expectations Manage expectations Be honest Be honest Remember it’s a game of “musical chairs” Remember it’s a game of “musical chairs” Have a “side hustle” Have a “side hustle” Pump the breaks Pump the breaks “Work” the company “Work” the company Remember that it’s a business of who you know Remember that it’s a business of who you know Network with caution Network with caution Look for opportunities for growth Look for opportunities for growth Understand business as a whole Understand business as a whole Learn niche publications Learn niche publications