Does the world need another social media app? According to the folks at Amazon Amp, the answer is an ecstatic “Yes!”
Remember Clubhouse? Near the beginning of the pandemic, Clubhouse became the hot social media platform people needed in their lives, offering drop-in audio conversations and unique access to celebrities. The hype was so great that virtually every major digital company has tried to copy Clubhouse’s success, and Amazon is no exception.
This month, Amazon gave the world Amp, a clubhouse competitor with one unique feature: music licenses. Unlike Clubhouse and all of its knock-offs, Amp users can choose from millions of free-to-use songs to include in their broadcasts. In other words, it gives people the ability to host their own radio show without ads or fancy equipment. Users can even take calls from their audience.
Cool as it may be, the idea behind Amp is not necessarily new. As host James Shotwell explains in this Music Biz update, the concept of turning everyone into a DJ has been tried multiple times over the last decade. Each time, a small portion of the population adapts to the new technology, but everyone else ignores it. Eventually, over time, the hype dies, and people move on.
Will Amp be an exception to this trend? Can Amazon give the world a good reason to download another social media app? Let’s discuss.
Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.
Don’t know the name of the song you want to hear? Amazon’s new Song ID feature has the answer.
The smart speaker revolution is upon us. Last month, a new study from Adobe Analytics found that more than 1/3 of American consumers, 36% to be exact, own one or more smart speakers. That figure is expected to grow substantially in the coming months, and even further in the years that follow.
The upside to the popularity of smart speakers is that it leads consumers to listen to more music more often. A study by AudienceNet at the end of 2018 found that homes with smart speakers listen to 50% more music than homes without and that those same homes are 49% more likely to listen to music for more extended periods. They also listen to more playlists.
But there’s a problem: Many consumers don’t know the title of the songs they hear on the radio, and even more don’t know the artists who sing them.
When someone wants to hear a song on their smart speaker, they must ask for it. For Amazon devices, users often say, “Alexa, please play __________.” The device then searches for that song or artist and plays the track it believes the user wants to hear. It’s a great system that is far quicker than pulling a record from a shelf and placing it on a turntable or popping a CD into a boombox, but it only works if the consumer knows exactly what they want to hear.
Let’s say someone wanted to hear “Let It Go,” the popular song from the Disney film Frozen, but they couldn’t remember the name of the movie. That person could ask Alexa to play “Let It Go,” but there are at least 42 songs on Amazon Music and Spotify with that title. Which one would it choose? If it chose another version than the desired one, what could the consumer do?
To aide in educating consumers about the music they love, Amazon has introduced ‘Song ID.’ When enabled, Alexa will announce the title and the artist name before playing each song while you’re listening to a radio station, playlist or new release on Amazon Music over your smart speaker.
The optional feature for Echo devices can be enabled or disabled by voice at any time by asking Alexa to “turn on Song ID” or “turn off Song ID.”
In addition to making consumers aware of what they’re listening to, Amazon also hopes ‘Song ID’ makes users more comfortable talking to Alexa. The software does not have much a personality itself, but users who trust the device are more likely to use it for other things, such as ordering products from the Amazon store.
The new feature is live today across Amazon Music in the U.S. and works on Echo devices, says Amazon.
While it will no doubt be a few more months before the hype surrounding Apple Music quiets to the point of being just another dull roar in the overcrowded conversation about music streaming, there is a new competitor on the block who may soon be making headlines around the globe.
Amazon is no stranger to digital music. The digital retail titan has had its own mp3 store and system in place for years, as well as an on-demand video service, but it has not yet launched any kind of music streaming service. The key word in that sentence appears to be ‘yet’ however, as a series of new reveals from the company have many wondering just how long it’ll be before Amazon tries to claim a piece of the increasingly competitive music streaming pie.
Last week, the Amazon Acoustics collection was released as an exclusive playlist for Amazon ‘Prime’ members. There are 30 recordings available from artists like Joshua Radin, Surfer Blood, and Tokyo Police Club that are available via the Amazon Music app on iOS and Android devices, Amazon’s connected Echo speaker, or online at the Prime Music website. The compilation is believed to be the first in a series of company owned releases that could make their way to the public in the months ahead, and it serves as the one of the first releases of its kind from any digital retailer. The closest competition I can come up with is Spotify’s Session program, and even that doesn’t offer the kind of exclusive content that can be found on this compilation.
Adding further fuel to the Amazon streaming music rumor mill, the company also recently released the Grammy-nominated Transparent soundtrack album as well as it’s own Christmas album featuring artists like Liz Phair, The Flaming Lips, and Yoko Ono. Again, these releases are believed to be a starting point for the company’s future music plans, but the company is keeping quiet for the time being regarding all future efforts.
What does all this mean? I’m not sure yet, but analysts around the industry seem to agree Amazon is doing a lot more in music than they have shared with the public so far. Maybe this means more releases, possibly with the inclusion of video content, but it could also mean the impending launch of yet another streaming music service. The market for such platforms is certainly growing crowded, but that doesn’t mean there is no room for Amazon to enter and make big waves.
Just to give you one example of how Amazon could change the streaming game, let’s look at the company’s ‘Prime’ membership program. Customers who purchase one of these memberships, which run around $100 a year, are given access to Prime’s large selection of free video content for streaming, as well as free 2-day shipping on essentially all purchases. If Amazon could also grant access to a music platform that has a catalog as equally large and diverse as Apple or Spotify that may be enough to lure consumers away from the competition. They wouldn’t be doing so for the love of music, of course, but streaming has never really been about the music. It’s about increasing the bottom line, both for creators and the people who make their music available.
We’ll continue to keep an eye on Amazon and let you know of any new developments that arise. In the meantime, comment below and let us know if you believe Amazon will enter the streaming game in the months or years to come.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him onTwitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
A lot has been written about the supposed dire state of the music industry, but truth be told there are a number of successful and growing companies, including record labels, that are thriving in 2014. In this column we bring together every job opening we can find from the companies responsible for building the future of the business and present them to you, our reader, in hopes of aiding you on your journey to join the global music industry professional family.
Each Sunday we scour the internet for the latest and greatest job postings throughout the music industry. You can help us better serve our community by sending any job openings you find or have to james@haulix.com. Be sure to include the name of the company hiring, a detailed description of the position being offered, a desired start date, contact information, and any additional supplemental information you feel may be needed.
Job summary: AM is looking for a senior media planner to run several accounts out of our New York office. This digital client service superstar is adept at anticipating client needs and always maintaining an excellent relationship at all times. This candidate needs to be able to coordinate online media campaign efforts seamlessly with all internal teams (media, accounts, creative, etc.) as well as the client. The senior media planner will also be responsible for assessing client goals and providing them with a clear, effective game plan to achieve them. They will be responsible for developing an intimate knowledge of their clients’ business and ensuring that all aspects of the overall strategy are in place at all times.
Job summary: Bright Marketing offers outstanding career opportunities in one of the world`s most successful companies in the retail and events sales industry.
Job summary: Marketing Manager reports directly to the National Director of Marketing, Senior Talent Buyer and Regional VP of Talent. This person will be responsible for creating marketing plans including: advertising, promotions, publicity, social media and media buying for Live Nation concerts, including Family programming and Broadway/Theatrical performances, in select markets in the Riverside and Inland Empire area including the Fox Performing Arts Centre and Riverside Municipal Auditorium. The Marketing Manager needs to track spends and allocate funds for individual show budgets. Additionally, the Marketing Manager needs to be able to communicate with many partners in the Riverside/Inland Empire area.
Job summary: Our mid-level apprentice position for Music Services is designed to help support the team of Music Supervisors. This position is multi-faceted with duties ranging from administrative support to music cataloguing to Music Supervision of mid-level accounts.
Job summary: Reporting directly to the Head of Global Content Licensing and Catalog, the Content Licensing Lead – EMEA is responsible for the identification, negotiation and renewal of the agreements between Rdio and EMEA-based labels, publishers, and connection societies.
Job summary: We’re building a new team to focus on digital music recommendations and are looking to hire a Research Scientist to work at the intersection of music and machine learning.
Job summary: This position will oversee the paid search and SEO initiatives to support sales on Bose websites in the US and Canada. They will also be responsible for comparison shopping campaigns and the Bose affiliate program. This position will manage the day-to-day relationships with our external search and affiliate agencies and will partner with internal marketing colleagues, product managers and our internal communications group on key campaigns and initiatives. They will be responsible for driving overall strategy, leading new tests and initiatives, and optimizing campaigns to deliver the highest return and engagement. This position will manage the overall media budget for paid search, comparison shopping and affiliate marketing, analyze performance and present results to marketing management.
Job summary: Pandora’s Business Operations team is currently seeking a Sales Marketing Analyst to support the sales and marketing team by creating and managing data, revenue and related tasks for sales marketing.
Job summary: The Marketing Coordinator reports directly to the Marketing Manager. This person, under guidance of the Marketing Manager, will be responsible for communicating event marketing plans, budgeting advertising spends, developing promotions, leading street team initiatives, and scheduling of social media updates as requested.
Job summary: Seeking a driven and passionate individual to handle a multitude of tasks, including managing newsletter team and make sure national newsletters are optimized, working with ad operations team to deliver required audience to sales campaigns, and working with national and local programming teams to deliver audience to programming initiatives.
Job summary: Producer will be responsible for all aspects involved in producing successful daily talk shows on Sirius XM Progress including studio/technical operations, promotion, production, guest booking, call-screening and research.
Job summary: With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group (“WMG”) is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world’s leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.
Job summary: We are currently seeks a creative, hardworking Marketing Coordinator to work closely with the members of our Retail Events division in the planning, coordination, and execution of our daily events inside some of the nations largest retail stores. Our high volume, customized events are a direct result from the unmatched work ethic and ability to “think outside the box.” Every team member is hands on at the actual events and is able to see the direct results of their marketing efforts.
Job summary: Join us in being a part of the global music community by shaping the delivery of digital sheet music. Musicnotes.com is seeking a full time Content Acquisition Assistant who excels in managing the details including database management, file indexing, acquisition, and organization. Successful candidates will have experience and an interest in music research and analytics in this data-driven opportunity.
Job summary: Do you have a creative, curious, and analytical mind? You will also be responsible for email marketing development and execution for all brands under the West Music umbrella. You will manage the day-to-day campaign execution, list management and segmentation, content and scripting, and deliverability monitoring. Providing strategic insights to the team and senior leaders on campaigns using information gained through various analytical methods will be done regularly.
Job summary: The Senior Coordinator of Email Marketing will play an important role in supporting internal and external clients to build, deploy and test a broad range of entertainment-related email marketing campaigns. This entry-mid level position will also support other CRM elements as well as reporting requests.
Job summary: The Head of Programming adapts departmental plans and priorities and manages his/her team to create and continuously improve the monthly TV schedules in order to get the highest possible number of viewers on the channel and monthly viewing goals are met. S/he takes a broad strategic view of the programming plans as well as specific market developments, and helps his/her team to make analyses of quantitative data in order to optimize the day-to-day and long-term TV schedules and overall channel performances.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary: The Global Social Media Manager will lead the development of the corporation’s social media strategy, and will oversee the execution of plans and tactics around the globe.
Job summary: Harmonix, the studio that created the blockbuster franchises Rock Band and Dance Central, is looking for a Director of Marketing. This individual will play a key leadership role on Harmonix’s publishing team, overseeing our marketing, web, community, social, and playtest efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in marketing strategy, and team leadership, as well as experience launching and sustaining console, digital, and/or mobile games. For many years, Harmonix has worked diligently to build a strong, genuine relationship with our fans. The Director of Marketing will need to continue to foster those long term relationships while using industry-leading marketing strategies to reach new fans and create excitement for our games.
Job summary: The Sr. Director of Strategic Marketing will be responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships for Warner Music Nashville’s artist roster and label assets by a) creating impactful campaigns and promotions to extend the brand, raise the profile of artists and label brands; b) generating new revenue lines to fund creative marketing campaigns; and c) offset marketing costs.
Job summary: Reporting to the Partner Marketing Manager, the Digital Marketing Associate will help Ticketfly clients maximize their marketing potential and promote their events across marketing channels. This role will serve as a strategic marketing consultant to Ticketfly’s top venue, promoter, and festival partners to help drive important goals like building brand awareness, acquiring new customers, and selling more tickets. The Digital Marketing Associate will dive deep into client marketing activities to develop marketing plans and campaigns, guide implementation, and measure results.
Job summary: The sales analyst will be responsible for reporting and analyzing sales data for the STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE Sales & Marketing Department. Person will maintain an accurate sales reporting system for various events at STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre and L.A. LIVE as well as provide management with a monthly commission report for 25+ sales representatives. The sales analyst will also be knowledgeable in CRM, assisting in analyzing customer accounts and identifying efficiency tactics amongst the department.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary: At Shazam our users are at the heart of everything we do. We need to make sure that all of our users (old and new) know everything they need to know about our great product as it continues to evolve. We are looking for a brilliant Copywriter to join our Marketing team and work across our business to make sure that happens.
Job summary: Conceive, write and create new non-traditional revenue business opportunities including events, sponsorships and other sales promotion opportunities. Participate in annual budget planning and individual event budget planning. Ensure that the department hits their revenue goal Attend and participate in sales meetings. Assist in the training of account executives on how to sell events and on Knowledge-Based or solutions-based selling. Provide ongoing sales training to the staff. Assist in the brainstorming of categories to call on for events. Assist General Sales Managers in managing the New Business Development account lists. Create a list of targeted accounts for the following business development opportunities: manufacturer-driven, dealer group and retail-driven programs; corporate sponsorship and event marketing; and from the following industries; automotive and automotive aftermarket, consumer packaged goods, distilled spirits, financial services, health care, home builders and home improvement, health care, pharmaceuticals and wireless.
Job summary: The Social Media Coordinator will assist the Senior Social Media Manager with social media campaign management, including both branding and campaign-specific. The ideal candidate must be very well-versed in the digital world – including familiarity with popular websites, blogs, social media environments, mobile/apps; as well as a strong knowledge of and interest in newly-emerging platforms and industry trends.
Job summary: Townsquare Media (LOCATION) is expanding and is seeking an additional sales account executive. We offer solutions to our clients through live and local radio, cutting edge digital products and live events. Are you honest? Are you motivated to be successful? Do you like to help people? That’s what we do at Townsquare Media… we help businesses be more successful. You could create Marketing Strategies and Successful Radio Campaigns, plus Digital and Social Media Solutions… including our own Website Development Department.
Job summary: Client Development is the initial point of contact for touring partners and works directly under the CEO to cultivate and maintain exceptional relationships with new and existing tour partners. Ideal candidates for this position have an extensive knowledge of the touring industry with more than 5 years of professional experience and an established network of music industry contacts. This position is full time with the possibility of travel and after-hours availability needed.
Job summary: The Percussion Social Media Specialist position is a full time opening in our Product Management Department. The Percussion Business Unit at DAddario consists of some of the strongest, most active and well-respected consumer brands in the global percussion industry: Evans drumheads, Promark drumsticks, and Puresound percussion accessories ” each with a unique and engaged community. The Social Media Specialist will manage our social networks and online community design and implement artist and product launch campaigns utilizing assets created by our in-house photography, video, and design team.
Job summary: The Velocity Integrated Marketing (IM) Music and Entertainment team is looking for a long term freelance Director of Social Media reporting to the VP of IM Social to support the linear and digital IM team. This position will cover the ideation, innovation, and implementation of client specific programs that involve social media. The ideal candidate will have proven success in developing and measuring social media promotions based on specific client objectives, as well as assisting in the valuation behind them.
Job summary: Under the broad supervision of the Manager of Faculty Technology Services, the CTMI Lab Monitor is responsible for the daily operations of the CTMI (Center for Technology in Music Instruction) Lab Facility including: first-level support for all faculty support requests from email, phone, walk-in and TR database submissions, managing all Faculty Technology Services trouble tickets in the TR ticket database, execution of lab maintenance programs for lab equipment and workstations, scheduling of lab resources, monitoring CTMI student employees to ensure they are supporting CTMI operational goals.
In addition to monitoring the CTMI, this individual acts as second level support for Faculty Technology Services personnel to accomplish the broader goals of Faculty Technology Service and Academic Technology. A specialized knowledge is required in a wide range of software and hardware solutions, audio equipment and electronic musical instruments in order to provide assistance for faculty.
Job summary: The Production Manager of the Aspen Opera Theater Center (AOTC) supervises the general operations and production staff of the AOTC, and serves as the liaison between the AOTC and the operations department of the Aspen Music Festival and School. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining the production schedule (in consultation with the operations department, program administrator, and directors) in the ArtsVision database, acting as production quality director of rehearsals, approving the use of the Wheeler Opera House for non-production and non-AOTC related requests, managing load-in, load-out, and contents of the AOTC storage units. The Production Manager also schedules, sets the agenda for, and runs weekly production meetings, recording and distributing notes to AOTC and other key AMFS staff.
Job summary: Produce and develop an entertaining daily show hosted by Jenny Hutt that incorporates celebrity interviews, listener interactive segments, information, entertainment commentary, and remote broadcasts.
Job summary: Each Product Area Manager is responsible for developing and articulating the strategic direction for a full product line, and is compensated based upon the P&L of their category. They will provide direction and guidance to a cross-functional team of engineers, industrial designers, strategic buyers, creative artists, copywriters, analysts, and sales people responsible for the design, build, marketing, and selling of their particular product category. In addition, they will partner with other product managers, Market Area Managers and sales people to support and maintain Monster’s product development process.
Job summary: This candidate hired to fill this position will assist the Head of the Rhino/Catalog Group and other employees in that group with various administrative tasks and special projects.
Job summary: The Recording Academy is looking for a Social Media Coordinator to join the Marketing Communications team. Whether it is Social TV or year round engagement strategies, The Recording Academy continues to be at the forefront of innovation with social media. This person needs to be savvy across all social media platforms and lend their dynamic voice to the GRAMMYs accounts. He/she will also need to have a deep understanding of the current musical landscape and musical history
Job summary: SMG is a digital media company connecting entertainment and music fans to the content, communities and brands they love. We’re the passionate minds behind some of the web’s most influential properties and we harness our collective voice to create online content, social and mobile platforms, events and integrated marketing programs. Through our iconic properties such as SPIN, VIBE, Celebuzz, Death and Taxes, Buzznet, The Frisky, Idolator, Stereogum, SMG provides advertisers with authentic, unparalleled access to the most loyal and engaged audiences around the world.
Job summary: The Manager, Listener Care Certification & Audit will manage the performance of trainers at SiriusXM call centers by collaborating with and overseeing day to day operations of our external service providers (vendors). You will ensure that training is being delivered as designed, that learners are engaged and that desired outcomes are met.
Job summary: The Vice President and Managing Editor of BET Digital will oversee the development and execution of all content for BET Digital. S/he will be responsible for defining and driving the editorial voice for BET Digital, generating the content people want to see across BETN’s online, mobile and social media platforms. The Vice President and Managing Editor of BET Digital will work closely with sales, programming, technology, marketing, research and other departments to translate the BETN brand across BET’s digital suite.
Job summary: Under the broad direction of the Dean of Admissions, the Associate Dean of Admissions Marketing and Recruiting develops strategies to support the Dean’s enrollment vision. Oversees ROI on all recruitment marketing campaigns. Responsible for the Admissions digital marketing strategy through leverage of technologies including (but not limited to) Marketo and Salesforce. Oversees direct mail list segmentation to generate highly effective response rate for our various summer, undergraduate, and graduate programs. Ability to think strategically and monitor/adjust tactical implementation. An entrepreneurial, results-oriented outlook.
Job summary: The Interactive Marketing Manager will be the main digital strategist for their own roster of artists and/or projects. They will craft and execute the digital campaign for those artists spanning promotion, social strategy, community engagement, e-commerce, and partnership opportunities with inter-departmental (marketing, radio, press, product development, etc..) input and coordination. They will continually look for new opportunities, services and platforms with which to partner and/or utilize. In addition to their work directly with artists, they will have a loud voice in forming overall departmental strategy and direction as operational digital specialists. Every campaign will come with mutually agreed upon goals and targets that the marketer will striving to achieve.
Job summary: The goal is to position INgrooves Music Group as the most effective monetization and distribution partner for independent content owners as the digital music market evolves from a transaction based economy to one based on access. This transition is being driven by the oncoming format change from download and physical sales of music to streaming subscription models and digital radio outlets. In order for the Company to achieve its goals, we need expertise in developing best practices and products around music discovery, digital promotion and viral marketing with the purpose of increasing overall consumption and revenue for our clients. You will lead a team of professionals who work with all INgrooves’ labels and artists across the globe. You and your team are responsible for helping us figure out how to make the most of, and stay in front of, this rapidly evolving marketplace. This position can be based in San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Job Summary: Ticketmaster is looking for a Senior Interaction Designer to join our growing User Experience team. Reporting to the VP of User Experience, the designer will be responsible for creating best-in-class designs for the next generation of ticketing tools and live event applications. From complexity to clarity, we are seeking candidates who can translate business requirements into clean, intuitive experiences. The selected candidate will have a proven track record of understanding user needs and motivations, identifying underlying problems, and designing effective, highly functional solutions.
Job summary: This individual will be responsible for providing timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis to the Finance and Marketing Organizations. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: forecasting and budgeting, supporting the CMO and business areas VPs on their strategic plans, variance analysis, capital allocation and KPI monitoring.
Job summary: The Marketing Coordinator works closely with the Senior Manager, Sales & Marketing to implement direct marketing plans for all concerts presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
Job summary: As a Social Media Coordinator, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the social media profiles for a handful of music and/or entertainment clients. You will be charged with creating a social editorial calendar, bringing unique / creative ideas to the table, and executing a defined strategy. The position focuses on ensuring our social media campaigns are fully optimized, forward-thinking and possess consistent movement towards client goals (engagement, growth, awareness, etc.). The social media coordinator will also seamlessly integrate social campaigns with our internal marketing team. This position is a support position, but candidates should be comfortable expressing thoughts, marketing strategies, analytics and general campaign status to clients be it via phone, e-mail or in person.
Job summary: Reporting to the Senior Manager of Marketing Services, the Partner Marketing Manager is responsible for helping Ticketfly clients maximize their marketing potential. This role will serve as a strategic marketing consultant to Ticketfly’s top venue, promoter, and festival partners to help drive important goals like building brand awareness, acquiring new customers, and selling more tickets. The Partner Marketing Manager will act as Ticketfly’s in-house subject matter expert on digital marketing best practices, diving deep into client marketing activities to develop marketing plans, guide implementation, and measure results.
