Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

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mazz
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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by mazz » Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:32 pm

Tony,

Obviously you feel very strongly that the new format doesn't work for you. You've made a choice to air your grievances in public, thinking that maybe the CEO would respond to you in public. So far, that strategy has seemed to have backfired and only served to put you in a less than favorable light, again, in public.

Many here have suggested that you contact Taxi directly with your concerns. It is quite possible that you are not the only person who feels this way about the new format of the listings.

Every day I learn more and more that this is a relationship business and everything I do, particularly everything I do online, reflects on me and could possibly influence an existing or potential relationship. Time and again I've met people, including some fairly big composers, that I've become friends with on Facebook that actually read my posts on there. They don't reply, but they read them. Then I meet them at a convention and they remember me or a picture of my dog, or something (I post a lot of pictures of my dog on Facebook, he's way better looking than I am! ;) ).

I've also had the pleasure of being able to refer some of my trusted Taxi friends to other clients that I've cultivated. I trust these people and I know they won't "go off" on a client, thus reflecting badly on me because I referred them. They might complain to me privately but are way too professional to ever do their dirty laundry in public, which is one of the reasons that I trust them.

I only bring this up here because there are lots of folks on here that didn't respond to you, but now, for better or worse, remember you from this thread.

I wish you luck in all your musical endeavors and may all your dreams come true.

Peace,

Mazz
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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by davewalton » Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:44 pm

TonyRondini wrote:I'm actually begging for someone to convince me that this is a good change for Taxi members...
An alternate version of this thread could go like this...

"I don't understand Taxi's reasoning behind this latest change..."
"Maybe you should call Taxi and ask them directly?"
"I called Taxi and here's what they said..."

Seems much easier, no?. 8-)

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by cardell » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:03 pm

TonyRondini wrote:Now the members are ganging up and telling me to stop using the forum and to call Taxi...hmmm. I didn't invite anyone other than Michael to respond...but it's your right to respond, as it's mine to post. Thanks for the suggestions but I like posting to the forum.
I guess it all depend on whether you actually seek an answer to your question...or not. :idea:

I don't feel this is anything personal...at least not from us. There's really no need for anyone to be upset. I'm certainly not. :)

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by Casey H » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:10 pm

crs7string wrote:I get the feeling that many of the members responding may possibly feel you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Tony
Exactly... The amount of drama you've attached to this is far out of proportion to any REAL issue as to how the listings are organized. If you want a dialog with Michael about this, just pick up the phone and call him.

Casey

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by TonyRondini » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:25 pm

Not sure where "drama" comments are coming from, all I am doing is stating my opinion and everyone you of seems to believe that I am wrong to do so and you are right, and have some suggestion for me to do something other than comment on this forum. Wow, that's awfully righteous of you all. I stated my opinion in the first post and nothing has changed my opinion so far. I am very unhappy with the site change and nothing you say will change my mind. As far as worrying that my career will be impacted by my posts, doubt anyone reading this will think any less of me than all of you who have been giving me a hard time about expressing my opinion and, as an American, my freedom of speech. I hope you all have a happy 4th of July, even the dude from down-under (shouldn't you be sleeping?).

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by cardell » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:44 pm

TonyRondini wrote:I hope you all have a happy 4th of July, even the dude from down-under (shouldn't you be sleeping?).
:lol: :lol: ...this thread's keeping me up at night worrying. Like the changes to the listings from Taxi.com. :lol:

...now, what was that personal chant/mantra Guru Michael taught me... Meta-data, Meta-data, Meta-data...
(I told you not to encourage me... :lol: )

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by TonyRondini » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:55 pm

Stuart, you are a funny guy. Good to see that someone around here has a sense of humor. Have a happy 5th of July!

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by cardell » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:18 pm

TonyRondini wrote:Stuart, you are a funny guy. Good to see that someone around here has a sense of humor. Have a happy 5th of July!
Thanks Tony. :)

I'm not being mean here. One of the reasons us Australians joke around like that is to assess a person's character.
If the person can take it...then we know we can get along with them. ;)

It's a VERY effective strategy, but I've noticed that Americans sometimes don't understand: I'm glad you do. Happy 4th!

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by admin » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:26 pm

Tony, if you think that I made that change to create more income, you obviously don't know me or TAXI very well. If you did, you might have seen the numerous posts and emails that clearly state that submission fees are basically a wash. Money in, money out. The sub fees essentially pay the screeners -- they are not a profit center, so I am NOT motivated to get more submissions. Frankly, I've publicly stated that I'd rather have LESS submissions that are better targeted!

By the way, do you know that all of our competitors split their submission fees with the listing parties? If you want to tilt at windmills, give some thought as to why those listing companies and individuals might be motivated to run listings with those other companies.

Because the listings used to be alphabetical, AND broken out into two groups—film/TV and label/publisher, many people thought ALL of the listings were only what they saw when they got to the bottom of the alphabet in the film/TV section. They never continued on to the label/publisher section and missed tons of great opps.

How do I know? Complaints from dozens of people that we "never run any label listings," and "all of TAXI's listings require broadcast quality." Also, lots of, "All of TAXI's listings are now yes/no critiques and not full critiques." Obviously, all those things would have been self evident if they had even SEEN the label/publisher listings.

When we talk on the phone with many of these people, they seemed completely surprised that the label/pub listings FOLLOWED the film/TV listings even though we had lots of big buttons and links to show them where they were. After hearing enough anecdotal evidence in favor of putting all listings back under one list so members wouldn't miss some unbelievable opportunities they didn't even see, we acted on it.

I think people who assume that every move made by a company or its CEO is motivated by money are people I don't want to do business with. The reason many of our members are so loyal and quick to defend TAXI and me personally is because for 20 years I have consistently put our customers' needs before my own, trusting that if I served them well, my company and by extension, my family and I would do well.

If you call truly caring about your customers and having them give care in return a "cult," then I guess we're a cult. :lol:

Transparency and loyalty to our members have served all of us well for a very long time.

Thank you for using TAXI Tony. I will send you a pro-rated refund tomorrow. Wish granted.

I wish you well,
Michael

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Re: Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

Post by AndyKotz » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:53 pm

First of all... I can't believe I just read every post on this thread! :lol:

Secondly... Tony, you have issues my friend. It's just my opinion of course... but by and large... the time you spent here on this virtually meaningless rant, you could have spent READING the listings! For which you said you only have 15 minutes to research.

Thirdly... the reason none of us TAXI members came up with a valid retort to your diatribe was simply, there was no need. WE understand the motive behind Michael's decision and that, in and of itself, was for the benefit of the TAXI members.

I for one, should have reason to be concerned with my money being washed away. I'm in financial dire straights and even I understood Michael's intent. I took absolute zero offense to the new listing procedure. As a matter of fact I think it's better because it's all in one place... FOR EVERYONE!
It's NOT about you (or me) or Michael for that matter. It's about the TAXI process.

I know exactly of the "other" services for which you speak. I was a paying member (no longer) of 2 others and also belong (inactively) to 17 (at last count) other licensing entities. None of them hold a candle to TAXI because none of them even have a forum much less the education platform that TAXI offers.
Anyway... Michael has decided to give you a pro-rated refund and it's just as well, since it was obvious you didn't benefit from the TAXI experience.
That's really too bad.

Regardless of what you think of me or anyone else who reacted to your thread, we wish you well. -- Andy Kotz (Cult Member #: E-2410-4352) :mrgreen:
Last edited by AndyKotz on Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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