ME's first conference saw big hitters tackling the big issues in mobile music.
Should record labels be more like Al-Qaeda? Don't be alarmed. I'm just relaying the big idea proposed by Jonathan MacDonald at last night's Mobile Music Now conference, the first such event hosted by the team here at ME.
I asked Jonathan to deliver the final keynote, because I know the former Blyk man (and founder of the JMA consultancy) can be relied upon to shake people up a bit. Well, he certainly did that.
Jonathan started by telling the audience that Singer was worth more in real terms than Google at the end of the 50s, such was the ubiquity of the sewing machine.
But then home clothing got stronger and home dressmaking went the way of the horse and cart. Singer invested in better sewing machines, but this was merely 'retro-fitting' when it should have been reinventing itself completely.
Today, record labels are still 'retro fitting' by trying out so many different business models, Jonathan contends, when they should be providing a platform for fans to find music but otherwise getting out of the way.
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Trouble is, labels have too much baggage they are trying to preserve. They are 'spider' organisations, which die when you remove their legs. They should be 'starfish' organisations - de-centralised entities that can survive and adapt no matter how many limbs you take away. Like Al Qaeda.
In the manner of some kind of Victorian mesmerist, MacDonald disappeared shortly after his highly charged address. He didn't vanish in a clap of thunder, he just couldn't stay for dinner.
Shame, because I like everyone else wanted to find out exactly how this utopian dream of an open exchange between musicians and their followers might be achieved.
Yes, open source can lead to wonderful things, but it's also messy and confusing around the edges, and it takes time to flourish.
But I will ask him, and I'll report back. Now, off to listen to Al-Qaeda's difficult third album.
Mobile Music Now is sponsored by 24-7 Entertainment, the power behind Omnifone’s Music Station subscription service and the TDC Play offering.
Ringbacks specialist Muzicall, India-based aggregator Hungama, and solutions provider Materna are our Gold sponsors.
