For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Will Radio Survive The Media Meltdown?

by Sonal Gandhi, November 12, 2009

The amount of time that US adults spend listening to radio has been on the decline. The trend is especially marked among young adults, who have taken to other audio platforms at a much greater rate. But radio as a format continues to be popular even as . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

US Portable Media Player Forecast, 2009 To 2014

by Sonal Gandhi, October 21, 2009

The recession and cannibalization by phones are among the factors contributing to the slowing of the dedicated media player market. Forrester expects unit sales to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% in the next five years. The user base . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Making Cloud-Based Music Services Fulfill Their Destiny

by Sonal Gandhi, September 4, 2009

On-demand music app Spotify is about to become available on the iPhone. This marks a giant step forward for cloud-based music. Services that aspire to provide a true cloud-based music experience should ensure that they are platform- and brand-agnostic . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

The Future Of Music On Cell Phones

by Sonal Gandhi, August 17, 2009

Uptake of music on phones in the US has been lackluster so far. Part of the reason is that mobile and music providers have focused on their business models first and the user experience second. Europe and Asia have fared better in terms of user adoption, . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Music And ISPs: The Time Is Right For A New Relationship

by Sonal Gandhi, July 14, 2009

Universal Music and Virgin Media's launch of an unlimited MP3 subscription service in the UK marks a new era in the music label/ISP relationship. While labels and ISPs have not had much success at forming mutually beneficial partnerships in the past in . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

The Napster Legacy: File Sharing 10 Years On

by Sonal Gandhi, Mark Mulligan, June 5, 2009

After 10 years and numerous attempts to combat it, file sharing remains the biggest thorn in the media industry's side. While the true financial impact of file sharing remains a contentious topic, it has permanently shaped consumers' expectations of digital . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

All Media Fans Are Not Created Equal

by Sonal Gandhi, May 20, 2009

US fans of music, TV, newspapers, and books have different propensities for media consumption — some of which can be explained by their demographic characteristics. Music fans, for instance, are young digital pioneers, while TV fans more closely reflect . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

The Global Landscape Of Online Music Stores And Services

by Sonal Gandhi, April 17, 2009

Given the decline of physical stores along with physical media, online music stores and services represent the future of music commerce. Although iTunes leads in most markets on either side of the Atlantic, the online music landscape has become very competitive. . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Serving TV Audiences Online

by Sonal Gandhi, Bobby Tulsiani, February 5, 2009

Traditional media is still the most influential source of TV program information for consumers, but the online medium is becoming increasingly important. TV programmers should turn to the Internet to drive word-of-mouth referrals, target youth audiences, . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Music And Social Media Should Join Forces For Effective Music Promotion

by Sonal Gandhi, January 20, 2009

Although there is growing codependence between music and social media, online user trends reveal that social media — especially social networks — arguably needs music more than music needs social media. Social media remains unproven at driving sales of . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Boosting Ad-Based Digital Music In A Down Economy

by Sonal Gandhi, January 20, 2009

Digital music royalty rates have historically prohibited ad-based online services, although labels are gradually becoming more flexible. Digital music suppliers should attempt to renegotiate licensing agreements and outsource ancillary product features. . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

US Music Forecast, 2008 to 2013

by Sonal Gandhi, December 1, 2008

In 2007, digital downloads slightly outpaced JupiterResearch's forecast, CD sales declined faster, and on-demand subscription services remained sluggish. Accordingly, JupiterResearch has raised its download and overall digital music forecast and lowered . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

US Music Consumer Survey, 2008

by Sonal Gandhi, November 21, 2008

While MP3 players have become common, digital and online music activities will remain the domain of the young.

For Interactive Marketing Professionals

US Local Advertising Forecast, 2008 to 2013

Moving Small Advertisers Online

by Sonal Gandhi, November 3, 2008

Current economic conditions and inertia among small marketers regarding moving their spending online contribute to an unremarkable growth forecast for local online advertising.

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Online Radio and Webcasting

Maximizing Revenue to Survive

by Sonal Gandhi, October 3, 2008

With royalties going through the roof, Webcasters have never been under greater pressure to increase revenue.

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Teen Music User Segmentation

Identifying the Best Prospects

by Sonal Gandhi, August 2, 2008

Just like adults, teens fit well into JupiterResearch's music segmentation model.

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Music Influencers

Marketing to an Audience of Trend Setters

by Sonal Gandhi, July 10, 2008

As with fashion and consumer technology, trend setters play a vital role in music consumption.

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Online Shopping

Exploiting Online Influence on SMBs' Off-line Purchasing

by Sonal Gandhi, June 20, 2008

For every $1 online users spent online in 2007, they spent roughly $6 on off-line purchases that were influenced by online research. Online research has considerable influence on small and midsize businesses' (SMBs) off-line purchases as well.

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Market Profile

Decision Makers from Globalized US SMBs

by Sonal Gandhi, June 4, 2008

The falling dollar and slowing US economy are fueling speculation about the growth of global trade among SMBs.

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Forward-Thinking SMBs

Targeting a Lucrative Segment of Intensive Online Users

by Sonal Gandhi, May 7, 2008

SMBs' purchase decisions are motivated by different factors. Segmenting these companies by what inspires them to buy is an effective targeting approach online.

For Marketing Leadership Professionals

Staffing for Globalization

Balancing Control with Local Input

by Sonal Gandhi, April 8, 2008

Staffing global online efforts remains a challenge as companies expand their global Web presence.

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Green Marketing

Targeting Environmentally Conscious Small-Business Executives

by Sonal Gandhi, March 12, 2008

Currently, for small-business executives, being environmentally conscious may just be a matter of personal choice. However, it will rapidly become a response to the demands of their own green customers.

For Interactive Marketing Professionals

eBridge Helps Web Hosting Clients Make Most of Their Search Spending Through Retargeting

by Sonal Gandhi, January 11, 2008

eBridge Marketing Solutions is a Vancouver-based online marketing agency that provides solutions for both advertisers and publishers. eBridge serves technology companies that target the small-business market.

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Targeting Small Businesses

Building the Case for Behavioral Tactics

by Sonal Gandhi, January 11, 2008

Targeting small businesses online is increasingly challenging, even as content and social sites that cater to them proliferate.

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Marketing Web Hosting

Competing Against Free

by Sonal Gandhi, January 3, 2008

Convincing a small business to pay for a basic Web site is becoming a tall order even as the penetration of Web sites among the smallest businesses remains low.