Something funny cropped during a recent trip to a record label.

One of smart guys there (and I should probably point out, that everyone we’ve met at this record label seems exceptionally smart) said that music is often the last thing to be considered when the ad agency is producing a new TVC.

Now there are exceptions, when the creative team send a rough cut of the shoot to the label’s Sync team and they suggest tracks to put against the final production, but this is not the norm.

The only conclusion can be because ad agencies don’t think music first. Think about Art Directors are often film makers (visual medium) and copywriters are often screenwriters (words based). So who thinks music first?

The second thing to consider is how frequently a good ad can act to launch, revive or expand a musicians career e.g. Sony/ Jose Gonzalez, Levi’s/ Mr Oizo, Guinness/ Leftfield, Cadbury/ Phil Collins?!!!!

And then there’s the role of the music video or film soundtrack. Music is the thing

to release the emotional potential of a scene, to enhance the drama, or elevate our empathy.

The really interesting thing, is the sheer number of lifestyle brands itching to get into music as a cultural equity, but then ironically not utilizing our emotional connection with the music.

How would the emotional impact of the Bravia Bouncing Balls ad have been compromised if a voice over cut in announcing just how good the clarity of the HD screen  delivers colour like no other. It would have killed it, it’s emotionally implied, so it connects on a deeper level unconsciously and fuses the association between the AV and the producer.

So the message is this…

When you watch MTV you notice there’s a thing in the corner of the screen, it says MTV. And by the power of association (Music’s biggest fan) they are considered credible and cool to represent artistic content.

So as we’ve seen steps by some great brands like Red Bull to set up their own record labels, maybe the next step is to create brand produced music videos for TV instead of ads.

And finally, the interesting thing. Only now are brands catching on to the fact that the tracks they pay to use in their commercial subsequently result in records sales. So in turn the record companies have started opening up models for revenue share schemes. Obvious? Cool! We think so.

Watch this space  - the music comes first.

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Posted on: January 16th, 2010
Category: Cultural trends Tags: Clyde McKendrick, Fallon, MILK Consulting, MILK Insight, MILK Magazine, Music, Sony, W+K

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