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Lessons from the Industry Formerly Known as "The Record Business"

Harvard Business Review

As such, the traditional music industry — be that companies that make and distribute records, publishers who collect performance royalties and create sync opportunities, concert promoters, or merchandisers — should be regarded primarily as service providers to artists. But it's not all bad news.

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How to Succeed in Business by Bundling – and Unbundling

Harvard Business Review

Barksdale: I think we use the term “disintermediate” a lot more than we do “unbundle from these terrible corporations.” Or there are companies that are entirely focused on merchandise sales. You know, we’re going to free all these things from these evil big corporations and the consumers will be completely in control.

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