«IT'S CALLED GOSSIP AND OF COURSE AND IT'S AN OBSESSION OF MINE»- ANDY WARHOL

»For new artists, it's become nearly impossible to develop a major following without a branded tie-in. Many of the major breakout music stars of the past year, from Paramore to Sara Bareilles to Feist, have benefited from corporate tie-ins or licensing of their songs via ads. "All brands have become music-promotion houses," Mr. McQuivey said. Omnipresent performers Beyoncé and Fergie now can have multiple endorsement deals with different brands as their album sales come in millions below the number they would have even five years ago, Mr. McQuivey told Advertising Age. "They make music essentially as a promotional tool to make sure you want to dress like them and smell like them."

-Adage.com
March 10 2008