#BRANDFAIL OF THE WEEK: Tidal
Tidal ‘puts the power back in the artists hands’ is what the star-studded owners told us at the launch.
They are ‘taking back control’. Giving people ‘a higher level of product’. They are ‘educating the audience on what good should sound like’. They are offering ‘unique experiences and content (the only bit that’s perhaps feasible and worth any premium). They are ‘The Avengers of Music’, who together oversaw an ill thought through launch.
If you don’t feel like watching the whole thing, skip to around 16:30 and watch their laughable combined attempt to ‘sell’ Tidal.
At today’s prices, Tidal is twice as expensive as Spotify in the USA. Whilst I appreciate the need for artistic control, let’s not pretend that’s what this is really about. It’s about cold hard cash (which as we all know thanks to Madonna, is always Mr. Right). The artists get less revenue from streaming. The radio landscape continues to evolve. Sales for most artists aren’t what they use to be (which places even more pressure on them to tour to bring in the big money).
It’s well documented most of the multi-millionaire Tidal crew aren’t happy about streaming. But is this really the answer in 2015? Whoever helped them craft their well polished boo hoo lines missed a trick. They should have majored on doing this for the future. The starving artists struggling to get by. The ones the record companies / streaming leave behind. The talent who won’t benefit from the financial breaks they had. The talent they want to nurture and support. The talent you can support. The talent we all can all support by choosing Tidal.
Had they chosen to position this around helping artists, it might have stood a chance. But as it stands, it’s made them all look like a horribly out of touch wealthy elite. A bit like another gaggle of SW1 inhabitants that will keep bothering us till May 7th…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the third sector. And will be sticking with Spotify for the forseeable…
#BRANDFAIL OF THE WEEK: The BBC / TopGear / Clarkson ‘Fracas’
The BBC are having something of an annus horriblus. The mishandling of the Saville story. A hostile relationship with the ConDem administration (who seem increasingly keen on clipping their wings). I could go on. But the much covered Clarkson ‘fracas’? Well, they say a principle isn’t a principle until it costs you money. And boy, is this one costing…
Pulling two filmedTopGear episodes from global schedules (and cancelling the final episode of the season before it went production), in my view, was a huge mistake. This helped tip the media scales in Clarkson’s favour fuelling his UKIP style, me vs. them namby pamby rhetoric. It added to the growing view that the BBC is run by legions of faceless managers. The only thing missing was Ian Fletcher a la W1A popping out and giving a rambling statement on the importance of ‘values’…
Despite taking the right action in suspending him for the alleged physical abuse, they seem to be losing the media battle. Were I advising Auntie’s finest, I’d have recommended:
- Suspending Clarkson until the ‘fracas’ could be investigated and the appropriate action taken
- Broadcasting the two filmed episodes at home and away (most of the projected revenue losses lie in the international division and may run into tens of millions)
- Keep that British stiff upper lip and ensure ‘the show must go on’. Film the final episode in the series with either:
- A celebrity guest host from the world of racing (guest hosts didn’t do HIGNFY any harm after Angus Deayton’s prostitute / drug scandal back in the day)
- Recall a former Top Gear presenter off of the 80’s. Everyone loves a little retro and it could’ve been a televisual giggle
- Bring back a popular star in the reasonably priced car to hold the fort
- Let the Stig step in, and give him a computerised voice (with clear distinction from a Mr. S. Hawking)
- If he’s not off filming, let Gambon himself take the helm. His stature could carry any sinking ship. And he does have a corner in his name, after all.
Whichever presenter option they went with (and this is where they really missed a trick), milk it for all it’s worth. Given the heightened interest / hugely engaged fan base, it was a golden opportunity to feed their PR, CRM and social programmes with content as quick as they ruddy well could. With such an engaged following, irrespective of Clarkson’s perceived popularity, they could’ve used this to their advantage, regained lost ground and acted to bolster their reputation AND boost viewing figures.
Instead, they’ve let Clarkson, a petition and a hostile press continue to give them a kicking. Rather than look strong in the face of the ‘fracas’, they seem week, outmaneuvered and outgunned by the mouth almighty himself. Clarkson. That said, whilst future contract negotiations for Top Gear presenters are on hold, Clarkson would do well to remember than not all talent that leaves the Beeb’s hallowed halls do as well over on ITV, Sky or Five. At least for now, no single star is bigger than the Beeb. And on that bombshell, I’m off for a gin…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the third sector. And thinks Snickers totally nailed it…
BRAND OF THE WEEK: Channel Four. Putin. Sochi. And a very gay mountain…
Channel four use to be edgy. Today, it’s trying too hard to be like channel 5. Programming is dumbing down. But this little beautiful dig at Putin’s lurch back to the Stone Age? Well. It’s rather kick ass…
Iain G. Morrison wishes everyone luck at the Winter Olympics…
The Scottish referendum. The SNP. And the politics of the unborn…
Only a politician could stoop this low. Using an as yet unborn foetus to campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Scottish independence referendum? Tis just poor.
Whilst some of their (uncosted and potentially undeliverable) policies appeal, in an ever globalising world, it’s hard to imagine why 5 million people would want to decouple themselves from a historically successful union.
Still. Salmond and his cronies would no doubt disagree….
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the third sector. And would not be voting yes (if he still lived north of the border).
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