AC/DC, Kid Rock and the Beatles are jointly trying to kill iTunes. When AC/DC releases ‘Black Ice’ next month, it will be only available at Walmart.
Similarly, Kid Rock’s ‘Rock and Roll Jesus’ is not available on iTunes. He told Ellen Degeneres that when people tell him to "...go left, I want to go right. I don’t think every song should be priced the same, it’s un-American. I may want to charge for one song and give two songs away."
iTunes Boycotts
AC/DC, Kid Rock and the Beatles Withhold Music
Trend Themes
1. Boycotting Itunes - Music artists like AC/DC, Kid Rock, and The Beatles are leading the trend of withholding their music from iTunes, seeking alternative distribution channels.
2. Exclusive Retail Partnerships - Retail giants like Walmart are partnering with music artists to offer exclusive releases, disrupting the traditional dominance of digital platforms like iTunes.
3. Variable Pricing Models - Kid Rock's statement about pricing flexibility reflects a trend towards exploring different pricing strategies for songs, challenging the standard pricing model of digital music platforms.
Industry Implications
1. Music Distribution - The boycotts by major artists suggest a need for innovative music distribution platforms that offer artists more control over their music releases.
2. Retail - Retailers like Walmart who secure exclusive music releases can benefit from disruption in the digital music market, attracting new customers and driving sales.
3. Digital Music Platforms - The challenges posed by the iTunes boycotts call for digital music platforms to reassess their pricing strategies and explore new ways of collaborating with artists.