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.
The ASCAP Foundation Honors Nashville Songwriters
/by Jessica NicholsonThe ASCAP Foundation honored Nashville songwriters Dustin James, Jacob Davis and k.s. Rhoads at the 17th Annual ASCAP Foundation Awards, held on Wednesday (Dec. 12) at New York City’s famed Jazz At Lincoln Center.
The ASCAP Foundation Leon Brettler Award was given to Davis. The award is presented annually to an outstanding songwriter-artist participating in The ASCAP Foundation Country Songwriters Workshop in Nashville. Davis studied at Louisiana State University in preparation for an oil industry job, but later moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting. Davis is a staff writer at Wrensong/Reynsong Music.
Michael Brettler (left), President of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc., presents the Leon Brettler Award to honoree Jacob Davis.
Jay Gorney Award honoree Dustin James (right) performs his award-winning song "God Has Given Hope A Name (America)" with recording artist Brittini Black.
John Titta (left), CEO of MPCA Music Publishing, presents the Sammy Cahn Award to honoree k.s. Rhoads.
Artist Updates (12/19/2012)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Tickets are on sale now through the Schermerhorn Symphony Center box office at 615-687-6400 and NashvilleSymphony.org.
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Bo Bice, who was runner-up to Carrie Underwood on American Idol in 2005, has signed with the newly-formed Altar Agency and is headed to Broadway. Bice has landed the lead role in the revival of the 1980’s Broadway musical Pump Boys and Dinettes. The production will be held at the Circle in the Square Theater with an official opening on April 8, 2013.
Bice has released three studio albums.
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For a full list of tour dates, visit restlessheartband.com.
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Country duo Kingston has been chosen as a nominee for RyanSeacrest.com’s Favorite Featured Artist of 2012. The last day of voting is Wednesday (Dec. 19). To vote, visit ryanseacrest.com.
WebLinks
/by Sarah Skates• Hit songwriter Tim James has penned a heartfelt song in response to the Connecticut school shootings. See his worktape video here. James’ hits include Toby Keith’s “My List,” Trace Adkins’ “All I Ask For Anymore” and Lee Brice’s “Love Like Crazy.”
• Last night, The Voice also opened with a special memorial performance. The show’s season finale is tonight (Dec. 18).
• Video advertisements are coming to the Facebook news feed next year. Ad Age reports the videos will automatically play. Facebook allows marketers to target very specific demographics. Keep reading.
• Rock news from The Nashville Scene includes members of Alabama Shakes being robbed at gunpoint in East Nashville, and Nashville transplant Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit playing The Late Show with David Letterman.
Little Big Town Performs on ‘X Factor’ Season Finale
/by Eric T. ParkerLittle Big Town
Little Big Town is scheduled to perform its hit, “Pontoon,” for part 1 of The X Factor’s Season Finale on FOX tomorrow (12/19). The band will perform with finalist Tate Stevens during the 7 p.m. CT live show. “Pontoon” spent five weeks at No. 1 on the MusicRow chart.
Little Big Town will launch The Tornado Tour January 31, 2013, shortly before they vie for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in February.
Nashville Artists Make Forbes ’30 Under 30′ List
/by Jessica Nicholson“In sum, they represent the entrepreneurial, creative and intellectual best of their generation,” the magazine said in describing the group. “Individually, they are engaging, surprising and incredibly hardworking.”
Pop music entertainer Kesha, 25, and country music singer Swift, 23, have both earned numerous honors in the music world. Kesha has won several Billboard awards, her singles “Tik Tok” and “We R Who We R” both topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts and her latest album, Warrior, cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Swift’s recent album Red moved 1.2 units in its first week of release, she has grossed over $1 million for her live shows and she has locked in high-profile endorsements such as her partnership with CoverGirl.
Digital Toolbox: Geolocation On The Rise
/by Sarah SkatesGeolocation 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
/by Jessica NicholsonJim 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
/by Eric T. ParkerDixie 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)
/by Eric T. ParkerJohn 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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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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TweelX Nashville Showcase
/by Jessica NicholsonThrough 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.”