Re: Who's and Two's Missing

["L. Bird" <pkeets@hotmail.com>]

>I'm not saying that they should sell the CD for cost.  I'm saying that with 
>CD producing technology there simply is no excuse for ever
>letting a CD go out of print.  Hell, even just scanning the booklet
>into a big database along with a digital copy of the CD contents and
>providing a burner and color inkjet booklet printer with a secure
>network connection at a retail outlet is all you need to keep something in 
>print!  This technological fact has been a reality for OVER A DECADE.

I'm certain they don't do customized work like that.  Don't they contract 
out the actual production of the cds and artwork and, for that matter, most 
other actual work?  My vision of record companies are that they're 
management companies that sign artists, and in return for rights, they 
handle replication, promotion and distribution of the artists' work.  They 
order the cds in lots, either large or small, depending on how many they 
think they'll sell.  When the lot is all sold, then it's out of print until 
they order and distribute another run.


>The record companies aren't interested in satisfying any demand for
>product less than a bazillion units.  That's why all these "marketing
>fees" that we pay on retail Who CDs don't end up in one cent being
>spent on marketing the Who, but marketing britney spears' and the
>like.  Its not like serving these niche demands are unprofitable, they 
>simply don't result in the GIGANTIC PROFITS to which the record industry 
>has become addicted.

What they say is that Ms. Britney's sales support the unprofitable artists.  
Of course, the unprofitable artists might be more profitable with a little 
more promotion, so this is likely a self-justifying strategy.  What we need 
are lower cost promotion methods to get new artists started in the business.

I see some of these in work, as the new (and more passe) artists are having 
to be creative in their marketing.  Notice how the record companies are 
trying to head them off, though.  They don't want their system undermined.  
You're right that it's been very profitable.


keets

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