This infographic takes a look back at 2013 music sales as compared to those in 2012. Some notable events took place in 2013 with regards to the music industry, including Beyonce secretly releasing a brand new visual album on iTunes without any prior announcement. It had fans freaking out and downloading the album like crazy, so it's no wonder she had a total of 13 million total sales in 2013.
Although the numbers reveal that the annual amount of music streams was in the billions, surprisingly, CDs were still the most purchased format of music in 2013, but not by much.
Some of the songs that got the most plays in 2013 include the Harlem Shake and PSY's Gagnam Style, which both went viral on YouTube, as well as other songs from artists that are hard to ignore like Miley Cyrus, Drake and Robin Thicke.
Global Music Consumption Graphics
This Infographic Look Backs Upon 2013 Music Sales
Trend Themes
1. Streaming Music - The increase in music streams in 2013 suggests a growing trend towards streaming music services, presenting an opportunity for companies to innovate in this space.
2. Digital Album Releases - Beyonce's surprise release of a visual album on iTunes highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in delivering music content directly to consumers without traditional promotional campaigns.
3. Viral Hits - The popularity of viral hits like the Harlem Shake and PSY's Gangnam Style points to the power of online platforms in launching songs to mainstream success, inspiring opportunities for artists to leverage digital platforms for exposure.
Industry Implications
1. Streaming Services - The growth of music streaming indicates potential for innovation in developing and improving streaming platforms, creating opportunities for companies to compete in this space.
2. Digital Distribution - Beyonce's surprise album release showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in digital distribution channels, encouraging companies to explore new ways to deliver music content to consumers.
3. Digital Marketing - The success of viral hits emphasizes the importance of online platforms and digital marketing strategies for artists, thus creating an opportunity for companies to provide specialized digital marketing services tailored for musicians and the music industry.