NME’s Enhanced HAIM Feature Simply A Baby Step Towards Digital Publishing Possibilities

NME's Enhanced HAIM Feature Simply A Baby Step Towards Digital Publishing Possibilities

As music magazines struggle in the emerging environment, some going all digital, others are exploring paid options. NME is experimenting with an alternative to paywalls with the offering of a feature on HAIM as a separate digital download. It's a fairly small bit of news but points to a larger digital publishing environment in which repackaging and enhancing content has shown signs of success even when the content is available in separate pieces for free online. But even an "enhanced" feature is only a small step towards what's possible.
NME has already experimented a bit with digital content. Last year they launched NME extra offering exclusive digital extras for print subscribers.
Now NME is trying "enhanced" magazine cover features starting with "It's About HAIM" for $1.12.
I could only find this feature via a link from news coverage. When I went to NME I found the regular digital edition which presumably contains a replica of the print version of the HAIM feature. I'm not sure how they're targeting or marketing that offering but it's nevertheless a smart path to explore for many reasons including:
Successful online experiments with rebundling content include multiple variations on creating books based on free available content or blog posts and pricing options that include free online and paid ebook or print copy.
One-off extended features are currently showing returns for publishers with Amazon even creating a series called Kindle Singles.
Traditional magazine features often generate a lot more content than makes it into the article, including photographs, anecdotes, quotes and historical references, so there's often a lot to work with.
For a publication that's already covered a particular act, especially over a period of years, the ability to create not just an "extended feature" but a low-cost digital ebook for fans exists. Whatever you call it, I think there's a big digital sales opportunity that music publications have been missing and NME is simply scratching the surface with this effort.
Bonus: First Listen: HAIM, 'Days Are Gone'

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch/@crowdfundingm) also blogs at Flux Research and Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.

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Apple To Let Fans Collect Digital Autographs Of Downloaded Albums, Digital Content

Apple To Let Fans Collect Digital Autographs Of Downloaded Albums, Digital Content

A patent request filed by Apple last week points would allow fans to get digital autographs of an album download, eBook or other digital content. Like the old fashioned sharpie autograph, the e-signature would unique and be tied to the user’s specific digital copy. Included are cloud based authentication certificates.

Signing purchases offer a near-free method of rewarding fans and deepening the artist-to-fan connection. But that tradition has begun to disappear in the age of digital downloads.

While the new patent request focuses primarily on ebooks, according to Apple Insider, it is transferable to all digital formats including downloads. The filing includes several methods that would enable the digital autograph including both in-person and remotely.

The filing notes that an "autograph" can take the form of any other digital media fit for storage and display on a user's device," says reporter Mickey Campbell. "Apple For example, a photo with the author or a recorded soundbite can be clipped to the autograph page."

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Pulselocker’s Hybrid Subscription Music Service For DJ’s Takes Another Creative Step

Pulselocker's Hybrid Subscription Music Service For DJ's Takes Another Creative Step

Pulselocker launched last year as a subscription streaming service for DJs allowing them to download music to their computer more economically than the dominant pay-per-track model. Earlier this month they launched a web-based version combining on and offline access with special touches designed for pro and semi-pro DJs.

Pulselocker is a unique hybrid service with a smart solution to music subscriptions that include downloads:

"For DJs, what makes the service interesting – and unique – is that unlike other subscription music on demand offerings, users can actually take the songs they 'rent' and save into a special Pulselocker folder on their computer. From here, those tracks can be played with specific, whitelisted DJ’ing applications, like Traktor and Serato."

The service now includes unlimited streaming with pricing "based on how many tracks a DJ wants to save for offline playback, starting at $9.99/month for 25 tracks up to $59.99/month for 1,000."

Rights holders are paid in multiple ways as the founders note:

"As a company founded by artists, our goal was to create a business that gave DJs the freedom to access all the music they could, while keeping the artists’ interest top-of-mind. That’s why we developed our triple monetization strategy, which pays an escalating royalty each time a track is streamed, downloaded into the Locker and DJ’d for more than 90 seconds and purchased outright. While we won’t solve piracy, we’re focused on building a model that puts more money back into the artists’ pocket. "

DJ Pangburn explores some of the more interesting nuances of the system, such as the designation of micro-genres:

"Until 50 people use the same genre in a playlist, it won't become available on Pulselocker. While this will probably introduce some sanity into the micro-genre absurdity, it might not sit well with DJs trying to create their own movement. That decision, however, wouldn't rest with Pulselocker brass, but with its user base. If 50 users cannot be swayed, then so be it."

Perhaps micro-genres aren't the biggest issue around but it's another example of how the Pulselocker team are bringing their creativity to every level of a product designed especially for DJs.

Apparently deals are in the works with majors but, for now, Pulselocker is an indie-focused service

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