The guide provides solutions for the music industry to ensure music's survival
GRAMMY.com
In a call-to-action to ensure the survival of music in the new digital realm, the What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board (WTDIAB) unveiled the What's The Download Music Survival Guide today at CMJ Music Marathon in
The WTDIAB is comprised of 12 young music fans and several high-profile music creators and industry veterans who serve as honorary Board members, three of whom were present at the unveiling today: chart-topping R&B/pop artist Chris Brown, BigChampagne CEO Eric Garland and US Weekly entertainment editor Shirley Halperin.
"One of the goals of The Recording Academy has always been to create a dialogue between the music industry and the music fan, and the result of the What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board's efforts over the past two years has shown that this conversation can bring actionable results," said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. "We hope that the views of the Board will be read with seriousness by not only those in the music industry, but by anyone who loves music and supports its ability to thrive in the future."
In addition to outlining relevant court cases and perceptions of the music industry that have led to illegal downloading, the WTD Music Survival Guide also offers seven insightful solutions to the problems facing the music industry today. Among these are tips such as re-committing to artist development and educating consumers, as well as stronger proposals regarding digital rights management and compatibility. Furthermore, the guide presents observations about why online communities are so influential, and what it will really take to get young adults to stop illegally file-sharing.
"I'm proud to be part of the What's The Download campaign and its cool group of music makers who are helping to turn up the volume on so many important topics facing the industry today," said Chris Brown of his inclusion as an honorary Board member. "Being a relatively new artist out there, I am living the conflict of both needing my music to be heard as well as needing my music to be sold."
The members of WTDIAB have spent the last two years researching and gathering thousands of opinions on issues such as piracy, access to digital music and file-sharing as part of an ongoing educational campaign to address the value of paying for music. They have spoken to music fans, artists, retailers, label executives, producers and engineers at industry conferences, local Recording Academy Chapters, recording studios, and their own universities. Additionally, members of the WTDIAB are joined by honorary Board members that include high-profile music creators and industry veterans. Today's event welcomed the newest honorary Board member — Chris Brown — to a list that includes Sway Calloway, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Earth Wind & Fire, Eric Garland, Shirley Halperin, Mark McGrath, JD Natasha and Kanye West.
All honorary members helped the WTDIAB explore ways to reach a consensus that addresses the needs of both the recording industry and music fans. These lengthy discussions have culminated in the creation of the WTD Music Survival Guide.
"As both an artist and a huge music fan, I see how much effort goes into making music, but also how confusing the music industry can be to fans," said GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Kelly Clarkson. "Ensuring that music retains its value is a subject that is very close to my heart, so being part of the What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board's educational campaign has been a valuable experience. It's wonderful to see the Board create something as positive as the WTD Music Survival Guide."
"We've seen countless assessments of the music industry from the media over the past few years, but the WTD Music Survival Guide is the first solutions-oriented report written from the point of view of the consumer," states Eric Garland. "What we really need to work on in earnest is ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their work. This groundbreaking report by the Board is a step in the right direction, and I would recommend it as required reading for anyone who cares about music."
To coincide with the unveiling of the WTD Music Survival Guide, What's The Download is also sponsoring College Day on Nov. 2, a day filled with college radio-oriented panels, performances, exhibitors and special events that take place at the CMJ Music Marathon. CMJ offers a unique environment for the WTDIAB to present its findings to and interact with a wide variety of music fans and professionals from all corners of the music business, including record labels, music press, technology, instrument manufacturers, marketers and professional organizations. The WTD Music Survival Guide was created independently by the Board and reflects the opinions of its members.
