The Case for Optimism in the Music Business - My Billboard Guest Article

My latest article -- “The Case for Optimism in the Music Business” -- was just published in the latest print edition of Billboard magazine (and is now also online).

In it, I lay out the reality of disruption to “traditional” music business models and revenue streams, but also the case for deep optimism about expansion of the overall music industry pie from new “community-based” business models enabled by near-ubiquitous broadband and mobile.

I also identify innovative companies to watch in this new world order -- including Superfly, Rukkus, Qello, Vevo, Concert Window, and StageIt.

If you feel my optimism -- and if you are a believer too -- spread the word.  Retweet it.  Experiment in it.  Innovate in it.  Immerse yourself in it.

Last Night’s NYC Digital Media Meetup -- So Frigid, It Was Hot!

Last night in NYC, my company, Manatt Digital Media, hosted our 4th NYC Digital Media Meetup -- this time in the Treehouse Bar of the James Hotel in Soho.  Absolutely frigid temps -- below 0 wind-chills -- insane (even for this Minnesota boy).  Nonetheless, more digital media souls showed than budgeted (significantly more, which pleased us!) -- clearly passionate about our craft -- braved the icy cold to drink-in the warmth of hipster cocktails and mingle with one another.  Which is what this is all about.  (Soho was even good enough to welcome us with open arms with this Meetup billboard, in a scene that just screams “COLD!”).

Nearly 40 (we had planned for 25) digital media entrepreneurs attended this one -- startup founders/CEOs (companies to watch like Rukkus, Qello, Fanlime, Mixify), VCs/bankers to finance them (GCA Savian, Marcum Cronus Partners, Originate, JMP Securities), media company execs to partner with them (Comcast, Superfly, Google), indie filmmakers to fuel them with content (The Documentary Group, Branded Pictures Entertainment), major talent agents to represent them (UTA), and reporters (CNET, Mashable) to report on all of it.

Another great event.

Our goal with these meetups is to select different players in the overall media and technology eco-system -- all of whom must be passionate and add something unique to the mix.  Introduce them to each other.  And then, watch the magic happen as they connect ...

That’s what I love doing ... and, oh yes, reporting on it myself ....