YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION:  That saying is so true, and it perfectly explains why artists and labels in the music industry have such an outdated opinion of Pandora.  It’s like their POV is frozen in the prehistoric amber of 2007, when digital music streaming was just getting started.  Yes, Pandora created the market back then and had a substantial first mover advantage.  But the product capabilities from a decade ago are a fraction of today’s Pandora.  The only problem is that the music community’s perception hasn’t evolved along with the product.  That’s why the attached Rapzilla link is so important.  It lays out five compelling reasons why artists and labels alike need to update their thinking and give the mighty P a fresh look!  (link)

DIGITAL TV RATINGS GET MRC’D:  Yesterday Nielsen announced a step towards full-spectrum video ratings measurement with MRC accreditation of its Digital TV Measurement product.  This is a positive development for Nielsen, but it’s important to understand what this is and what it isn’t.  On a macro level Nielsen is attempting to roll out its Total Content Ratings (TCR) platform, which would create apples-to-apples ratings for video ads running on TV stations and Digital publishers alike.  To achieve this TCR needs to merge two sets of data – Digital TV Measurement (which was just approved by the MRC), and Digital Ad Ratings which still doesn’t have MRC accreditation.  Admittedly the Digital Ad Ratings half of the equation is the newer/harder part for Nielsen to deliver, so they still have a big hurdle to clear.  But at least progress is being made on full-spectrum TV measurement.  Now where’s the progress on unifying audio measurement, Nielsen?!?  (link)

STREAMING REV HITS CRITICAL MASS:   Over the past year we’ve watched streaming royalties become a larger and larger slice of the major labels’ revenue pie.  Now Warner is the first label to reach the tipping point where almost half (48%) of its revenue comes from digital music.  And over 80% of digital revenue comes from streaming royalties instead of download sales.  This is occurring because streaming royalties continue to surge – up another 28% YoY.  By comparison all other forms of Warner’s revenue are either flat or down slightly, making Streaming the most essential part of the labels’ revenue strategy now and for the foreseeable future.  (link)

RETAIL MEGA-MERGER?:  This last article caught my eye since it’s so unusual but such an interesting idea.  Is it feasible that Amazon could merge with Macy’s or any other large national retailer for that matter?  The author of the attached Business Insider article lays out some compelling reasons why a match like this could be very complimentary to both parties.  As noted in the article, there doesn’t appear to be active discussions happening between Amazon and Macy’s, so this is probably just a what if.  But it’s still an interesting theory to noodle on.  (link)

Have a great Wednesday guys!