TAXI Needs Your Opinion!

[admin]

We’ve got a GREAT relationship with the in-house music supervisor at a large (and very popular) cable network that wants to run listings with TAXI pretty much all year long. The network is building its own catalog of music to be used in its myriad of original programming. If your music is chosen for the network's catalog and used on a show, they will take 50% of the publishing only, leaving the songwriter/composer the other 50% of the publishing and 100% of the writer’s share.

The main issue is: they won’t pay an upfront licensing fee. However, their shows frequently repeat which generates more on the back end. You’re also free to place the same songs anywhere else you choose, and you will still own 100% of the publishing and writer’s share on those placements. We have run listings for MTV shows (not the network in question) that have no upfront fees, but some of those shows give an onscreen credit which can boost exposure and digital sales income for artists. But there will be no onscreen credit for music used from this network's catalog.

Frankly, we’re torn as to whether or not we should run the listings under these terms.

We’re fans of getting you as much money as we can, and we don’t want to contribute to a race to the bottom on fees/income for our members. On the other hand, somebody is going to get those placements, and we also know that some of our members would be very happy with the deal this networks offers. Performance income, resume building, and the emotional satisfaction of hearing one’s music in a show viewed by millions has value.

So we’re turning to you to help us make the decision!

If you think we SHOULD run these listings, reply to this post and start your post with a “Yes, run the listings.”

If you think we SHOULDN'T run these listings, reply to this post and start your post with a “No, don’t run the listings.”

We’re going to tally the votes on Tuesday, May 29th, and then decide what to do. And as much as we might appreciate your ideas on how to change the network’s deal, please know that their offer is unchangeable.

Thanks for your vote!

Michael

[ShadowaterMusic]

|| Yes, run the listings. ||

Assuming the listing is up front about the terms, members can choose for themselves whether or not they want to submit to this type of listing.

[delagarzamusic]

Yes, run the listings.

[Mark Kaufman]

SHOULD

Although I agree with the sentiment about not wanting to race to the bottom, I also know a goose from an egg. Studios will set up deals in the manner they choose, and you probably won't change their business practices by not accepting their money. As long as terms are understood in advance, I don't see why TAXI shouldn't facilitate those deals as well.

[eeoo]

Yes please!

[Casey H]

Yes, run the listings.

Casey

[TechNoiZ]

Yes, run the listings.

[fusilierb]

“Yes, run the listings.”

[lunaumbra]

Yes, please run these listings. Thanks Michael.

[Len911]

I've always held the opinion that what distinguished Taxi was the quality of the listings and being less of a "vanity press".
I also don't feel comfortable voting on a business decision. Neutral.