Digital Toolbox: Geolocation On The Rise

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Geolocation technology is on the rise, particularly in social media. Geolocation determines a user’s location via their mobile device and can share that information with other users, or marketers. In a recent interview for MusicRow’s new Digital Toolbox issue, Cameo Carlson, Borman Entertainment’s Head of Digital Business Development, discussed the growing trend.

MR: Why is geolocation important? 
Carlson: I think geolocation is the next big wave. You’re going to see every app, and every site include it. Four Square and Facebook already do all kinds of things, such as advertising, based on location.

Cameo Carlson

They’ve revamped Four Square, and through check-ins and tips, they’ve created a brilliant way to archive social media. One of the challenges of social media is that once a message is posted, the next message pushes it out. But Four Square is based on location rather than time. For example, if I put a tip on the first place an artist performed a show, I could come back five years later and that tip will still exist. Fans like that information.

I like the idea of archiving and creating history in social media, because so much on the internet is disposable.

You don’t know what a website looked like five years ago. So how do we treat things that aren’t disposable and give them some historical importance? We’re testing all of these sites and apps to figure out how they fit into the larger scheme of marketing, and how they can be part of the ongoing brand-building.

Does geolocation help create a sense of community among users?
Carlson: There’s so much content and so much access that users don’t know where to start. Facebook is the best example of the need for curation. Users need people to tell them what to listen to, what to like, what to look at, so they start with their friends and their community.

The geolocation idea is kind of like everybody in a high school, because the only thing they have in common is where they live—literally their geography. On social media, it is the same concept of creating smaller communities out of a global community.

Music lovers and marketers are so good at creating communities around music, so it’s really cool to see what we are going to be able to do over the coming year or so. We are trying to find a way to incorporate the music content into locations.

What about users who are reluctant to share their locations?
Carlson: People that are growing up in this age, where everything is out on the internet all the time, to them it’s normal.

Read more of the interview in the Digital Toolbox issue.

My Music Screen Represents Jim Brickman

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Jim Brickman

My Music Screen has signed on to represent pianist Jim Brickman‘s recordings and published musical works for placement in film, television and other media.

“I am honored and excited to represent Jim’s catalog,” said Janice Soled, the company’s owner. “His songs are so uplifting and well-suited for use in film and TV.” Brickman added, “The music I write tells a story. I look forward to sharing it with a new audience.”

Brickman’s awards include two SESAC Songwriter of the Year awards, a Canadian Country Music award and a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association.

My Music Screen offers music placement for film and television, representing established artists and publishers, as well as subscribers to mymusicscreen.com, an interactive music pitch sheet. Soled has placed and licensed published songs and music masters in major motion pictures including Wanderlust, Get Low, Iron Man2, Horrible Bosses and other films.

 

The Dixie Chicks Replace Lady A for Canadian Festival

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Dixie Chicks

Craven Country Jamboree organizers announced today (12/18) the Dixie Chicks will replace Lady Antebellum as headliners for the Canadian festival on Saturday, July 13.

“We knew we had to find something extra special to replace Lady Antebellum when the band canceled their summer dates due to Hillary Scott’s pregnancy,” said Kim Blevins, Director of marketing. “We are extremely excited that we can offer a taste of country music royalty.”

The female trio joins additional performers including Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Scotty McCreery, Phil Vassar, Brantley Gilbert, Doc Walker, Sawyer Brown, Chad Brownlee, Gloriana, High Valley, Small Town Pistols, Jason Blaine, and Bill Anderson.

The Dixie Chicks last toured in 2010 with The Eagles, but have largely remained on hiatus since 2008.

Tickets are available for the 4-day July 11-14 festival, here.

Industry Ink (12/18/2012)

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John Fullbright

Americana singer-songwriter John Fullbright has signed a co-publishing agreement with New York’s BMG Chrysalis offices. Fullbright’s From the Ground Up was released this year, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album. He has also been recognized with ASCAP’s Harold Adamson Lyric Award.

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Ticket Summit has announced its Spring 2013 series of educational webinars, to begin Feb. 20 with Mike Lorenc of Google with Go Mobile, for a discussion about mobile and tablet technology for event tickets. On March 20, Dan Pullium from TicketNetwork will discuss legal issues facing the industry. Ticket Summit’s Executive Director, Molly A. Mérez, will offer tips on drawing traffic at trade shows on April 17. The Spring series concludes May 22 with Improve Your Inventory Management, led by Scott Barrows of Symbioticks.

The Spring 2013 webinar series is a continuation of the year-round Ticket Summit Plus series. The organization’s 2013 conference and trade show will be held at Las Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel, July 17–19.

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Austin native Kyle Park has topped the Texas Music Chart and Texas Regional Radio Report this week with his lead single, “The Night Is Young.” The song, included in his forthcoming self-produced album set for release in March 2013, marks Park’s first No. 1.

TweelX Nashville Showcase

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Publishing company and music stock exchange TweelX will host a showcase on Wednesday (Dec. 19), at Nashville’s Douglas Corner Cafe at 6 p.m., featuring Jason Shain, Summer Hartbauer and Dennis Ongkiko.

Through TweelX, when a song is published through its digital execution process, investors can access the platform to buy up to five shares in the copyright – each share being worth 5% of the song’s royalty stream.

Not only does the TweelX stock exchange give industry decision makers an easy gateway to participate in the publishing revenues of songs they may exploit, it also allows non-industry investors and fans to help finance projects for TweelX writers and artists such as demo production, promotion, and touring, all of which increase the competitiveness and value of the songs on its catalog.

Again, the stock is tied to a fixed percentage of the song’s royalty performance and may be sold at a gain or loss to accredited investors after a 12 month holding period required by law.

Company President Jeff Tweel said via a statement, “we actually envision this showcase, as well as any subsequent live performance by any TweelX artist anywhere, to be an opportunity to promote and sell their ‘stock’ right on the spot – it’s pretty exciting. In fact associates will be available to provide help to fans if necessary who may want to do this at the showcase.”

Ryman Hospitality Properties’ Buyback Plan

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Ryman Hospitality Properties‘ directors have voted in favor of a share repurchase program of up to $100 million to buy back some of the company’s debt, reports nashvillepost.com. They also revealed how they will determine dividend payments after RHP’s conversion to a real estate investment trust.

Ryman Hospitality Properties (formerly Gaylord Entertainment) will use cash on hand and revolving debt to fund the buyback plan. Ryman officials plan to use their revolving credit line to redeem $152 million of debt that would have matured in 2014. That purchase should be completed by mid-January.

In a statement, Ryman Chairman, President and CEO Colin Reed said Ryman’s shareholder value priorities are first dividends, then buybacks and acquisitions. Regarding the first of those items, the board said it will decree quarterly dividends that are the greater of one of two numbers: 50 percent of adjusted funds from operations or all of REIT taxable income.

“We are putting in place a capital allocation policy that we believe is in the best interest of our shareholders and our business,” Reed said via a statement. “We believe establishing a sustainable dividend policy and using additional capital to repurchase our shares represents the right strategic use of capital given our present trading multiple and hotel valuation. These actions reflect the strength of our balance sheet and our continued confidence in the stability and cash flow generation capabilities of our business model.”

 

Nielsen To Acquire Arbitron

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Nielsen today (Dec. 18) announced an agreement to acquire Arbitron Inc. for $1.26 billion. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Nielsen is home to SoundScan, which tabulates album and digital track purchases. The company’s BDS division measures radio airplay. This data is used to determine radio and sales charts published in Billboard. Nielsen also measures television ratings, consumer spending, demographics and much more.

Arbitron calculates local radio station ratings, network and national radio audience measurement, and much more.

Nielsen has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 26 percent to Arbitron’s closing price on December 17, 2012.

“U.S. consumers spend almost 2 hours a day with radio. It is and will continue to be a vibrant and important advertising medium,” said Nielsen Chief Executive Officer David Calhoun. “Arbitron will help Nielsen better solve for unmeasured areas of media consumption, including streaming audio and out-of-home. The high level of engagement with radio and TV among rapidly growing multicultural audiences makes this central to Nielsen’s priorities.”

With Arbitron assets, Nielsen intends to further expand its “Watch” segment’s audience measurement across screens and forms of listening. “These integrated, innovative capabilities will enable broader measurement of consumer media behavior in more markets around the world,” said Steve Hasker, Nielsen President of Global Media Products and Advertiser Solutions. “We will also bring local clients greater visibility to empower more precise advertising placement and campaign effectiveness.”

“Radio reaches more than 92 percent of all American teens and adults because they love to listen to music, talk, news and information while at home, at work and in their cars,” said William T. Kerr, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbitron. “By combining Nielsen’s global capabilities and scale with Arbitron’s unique radio measurement and listening information, advertisers and media clients will have better insights into consumer behavior and the return on marketing investments.”

Earlier this month it was announced that Kerr will retire and Sean R. Creamer will take over as Pres./CEO of Arbitron effective Jan. 1.

Red Bow Taps New Southeast Promotion Director

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RED BOW Records recently announced the addition of Mallory Opheim as its new Southeast Director of Promotion for the label.

Opheim brings a solid foundation of reputable experience to the RED BOW promotions team. She most recently served as Promotion Coordinator for Blaster Records in Nashville. Prior to that, Opheim was the Promotion Manager for InstiGator Entertainment. Additionally, she previously held a position as Director of Marketing & Management at Davis Music Group.

Opheim will report directly to Shelley Hargis, National Director of Promotion, and Reneé Leymon, VP of Promotion for RED BOW Records.

“I couldn’t be starting my regional career in a better place than RED BOW.  I am honored to be joining a company with such a strong staff and artist roster.  Their slogan is ‘For The Love of Music’ and it’s obvious from Benny and Jon on down, they do. Carson James has an impressive track record in promotion working with some of the biggest artists in the format. Reneé and Shelley have an infectious energy that is second to none.  As for the music, Rachel Farley already has a huge buzz, and the early music I have heard on Joe Nichols gave me chills. I can’t wait to get started!” says Opheim.

“Jon Loba, Shelley Hargis and I were all Promotion Coordinators at some point,” said Leymon, “and recognize how well it trains you for a Regional position. Mallory is chomping at the bit to be calling Radio and is prepared to hit the ground running. Get ready Southeast…you are going to LOVE her!”

Opheim’s new position will be effective as of January 2, 2013. She can be reached at mallory@redbowrecords.com.

MusicRowLife (12/17/2012)

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Cindy Heath

Wade Hunt

Monarch Publicity owner/publicist Cindy Heath is engaged to Swade Design owner/graphic designer Wade Hunt. The couple became engaged over the weekend in Manhattan in front of Patience and Fortitude, the world-renowned pair of marble lions that stand before the Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The sculpture, crafted by Paul Goldberger, has been called “New York’s most lovable public sculpture.”

The two met while working at Sony BMG.

Monarch Publicity represents Chris Young, Craig Morgan, Craig Campbell, High Valley and others.

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UMG Nashville publicist Taryn Pray and her husband Brad welcomed daughter Brynn Ryan Pray
at 4:52 a.m. on Sunday, December 16. Brynn is 6 lbs, 10 oz and 19 inches. Mom and daughter are doing great.

UMG Nashville artists include Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, Alan Jackson and many others.

 

INSBANK Recruits Music Biz Banker

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Ed Theis

Ed Theis has joined the team at INSBANK, a Nashville-based community bank, as vice president and relationship manager. In his new role, Theis will lead INSBANK’s expansion into the music industry while maintaining primarily commercial client relationships and generating new relationships for the bank.

“INSBANK continues to grow its commercial base of business and often intersects with clients in the music industry, so it made sense for us to add a relationship manager dedicated to serving and growing that sector,” said Jim Rieniets, president and CEO of INSBANK. “Ed’s previous work in the entertainment and sports industries primes INSBANK to cultivate opportunities in this market, and our established client-focused philosophy is what these clients seek. On the heels of INSBANK’s best year ever in terms of earnings, we’re very excited to bring Ed on board to help our bank continue expanding.”

Theis brings more than two decades of experience in client relationship management within the banking and financial industry. Prior to joining growing INSBANK, Theis was a vice president and client advisor in the sports and entertainment specialty group at SunTrust. He has also served as vice president and relationship manager at Fifth Third Bank.

An active member of the Nashville community, Theis is a board member of the Miller Harris Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising asthma awareness and funding asthma education and research programs. He’s also on the advisory board for Junior Achievement, a volunteer at My Friends House and an alum of Leadership Music (class of 2001).