Here, There and Everywhere

Technology brings people together. Remember July 2, 2005? Live Aid 8? Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa. The Russian Federation, UK, USA. Through technology, music from over a thousand artists was broadcasted on 182 television networks, 2,000 radio networks and the Internet. Millions of people watched and listened (and even danced) as Kofi Annan, Bono, Bill Gates, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Madonna, and many others helped raise money for the world’s poor.

With the Internet and file-sharing technology, the influence and impact of digital music technology continues to spread far and wide. There are more than 100 million iPods worldwide. Can you imagine how much music is stored in MP3 players worldwide?

Here are some quick facts from the 2007 Digital Music Report by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Global revenue from music downloaded onto computers and mobile phones doubled to about $2.0 billion (1.54 billion euros) in 2006. Four million songs available for download on-line. 795 millions single track downloads in 2006. The leading digital music format are single track downloads and mastertones. Other formats like digital albums, mobile downloads, music videos and ringback tones all saw positive growth. Portable players are one of the major drivers of growth in the digital sector.

“20 to 30 years ago, when pop music started to inhabit FM radio, teens took to radio for inspiration, entertainment and information. Nowadays, the carry-anywhere music player, file-sharing systems & videos are doing it all, relegating radio to the background,” said Bob Novales, former FM radio DJ and programming director of an FM radio station.

Novales said that before pop radio was linked to adjectives like “mighty, powerful & influential.” Now its happy with just being “cute, funny & ok.” Kind of like a fastfood mascot.

IFPI chairman and CEO John Kennedy said: “The record industry today has evolved into a digital thinking, digitally literate business. Revenues in 2006 doubled to about $2 billion and by 2010 we expect at least one quarter of all music sales worldwide to be digital.”

The digital music landscape is definitely evolving and extending to reach to every corner of the globe. Music fans everywhere are taking advantage of the unlimited space of the Internet. The Internet has given endless space for on-line radio stations to on-line stores.

“In this Internet age, the consumer is using music content more than ever before—whether that’s playlisting, podcasting, personalizing, sharing, downloading or just simply enjoying it,” said Eric Nicoli, CEO, EMI Group.

Nicoli added that the digital revolution has caused a complete change to the culture, operations and attitude of music companies everywhere. “It hasn’t been easy, and we must certainly continue to fight piracy in all its forms. But there can be no doubt that with even greater commitment to innovation, and a true focus on the consumer, digital distribution is becoming the best thing that ever happened to the music business and the music fan.”

Coffee and music go together

Music content and distribution is pushed closer to a place close to the hearts of many coffee drinkers. Music from Sir Paul McCartney, one of the two surviving Beatles, will be heard in thousands of Starbucks outlets across the world in a “Global Listening Event.”

Sir Paul is among the many artists who have embraced technology. McCartney, through satellite technology, made a surprise video appearance during Starbuck’s Shareholders Meeting in Seattle. Already, his on-line presence at www.memory almostfull.com and on YouTube is attracting thousands of hits across the globe.

And back in 2005, amidst the sounds of cheering crowds, McCartney greeted the two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during a live concert broadcast to the orbital laboratory.

McCartney said to the station’s crew. “I can’t believe we’re actually transmitting in space, this is sensational.”

Today, McCartney reaches out and makes his presence, not to astronauts, but to a whole new generation of music enthusiasts who enjoy their Mocha Frappucinos. His 21st album, “Memory Almost Full” will be the inaugural music release of Hear Music Label, formed by Starbucks Entertainment and the Concord Music Group.

“For me the great thing is the commitment and the passion and the love of music, which as an artist is good to see,” said McCartney. “It’s a new world now and people are thinking of new ways to reach the people and for me that’s always been my aim.”

It is indeed a new world now with people armed with mobile phones, laptops and Blackberries. Even debit cards and caller-ID didn’t exist when the Beatles were driving young people crazy.

And this new world includes a new generation of young people will be first to hear 13 new songs from McCartney in more than 10,000 Starbucks stores across the globe, across all time zones, all day! That includes all the stores in the Makati CBD!

“The team has been preparing for this new album launch of Sir Paul McCartney for weeks now to ensure that customers experience his music even before the album is made available to the public,” said Ding Bustalino, head of marketing at Starbucks Philippines.

“Customers from Taipei to Topeka have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary album all within a span of 24 hours,” said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who oversees operations of Hear Music Label.

Technology has indeed given music fans a much louder voice in terms of choices and content. Ringtones. Downloads, Streams, Videos, Cds. Whatever the format, the music business (or any kind of business) is challenged to use technology to meet changing consumer preferences that will lead to a better life, here, there and everywhere!

And you probably guessed it. Am a McCartney fan.