heavy metal makeover - metal label printing

Our experts have changed the business plan of independent record companies. (FSB Magazine)--
There has never been so much music in the history of this planet, all sorts of, accessible.
Thanks to iTunes and its cousins from YouTube (
Perfect for live concert clips)and MySpace (unsigned bands)
Huge underground society of satellite broadcasting, Internet broadcasting and illegal file sharing
As Aretha almost said, what do you want, baby, you get it.
Andreas Katsambas, 35, is a music lover who can enjoy it all.
He remembers how difficult it is to fill up his favorite things --
In this order, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and Slayer-
He grew up on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean.
That's why part of him is as excited as the rest of us about the modern digital treasure bowl.
But as the CEO of the final record (theendrecords. com), a nine-year-old heavy-
Katsambas's metal label in New York is worried about the life of his company.
On the surface, you may think this guy is in good shape.
Katsambas was launched in his bedroom in San Diego in 1999 and moved his business to Salt Lake City in 2002, after which he moved to his new headquarters in Brooklyn's stylish East Williamsburg neighborhood this summer. (
Incredibly, 13 of the 14 loyal employees followed. )
Sales in 2006 were $3.
5 million, up 25% from the previous year, the company's profit.
On December, Katsambas signed a North American license agreement with the famous Finnish monster
Members of Lodi dress up as mummies and vampires.
Lodi's Hard Rock Hallelujah won the first prize in 2006 European visual song competition
Launched the European event of ABBA and Celine Dion's career.
But Katsambas is worried.
In October, when Tower Records closed down, it eventually lost a major distributor more friendly to independent records than mainstream giants Best Buy (
Husband of Fortune 500)and Wal-Mart (
Fortune 500 WMT).
The aftermath is instant.
"All of a sudden, all the big chains are getting very nervous," Katsambas said . ".
Sadly, he could not expect the small record store to make up for the vacancy.
Hundreds of people have closed in the past few years, he said, "You can't see any new openings.
"At the same time, back in Brooklyn, the cost was running out.
Relocation from Salt Lake City cost $30,000.
His office rent of $6,000 a month is twice that of the past.
In New York, the cost of Internet access is much higher, taxes are higher, and even the cost of garbage collection is increased by an additional $200.
"Every month I sit with my accountant," Katsambas lamented, "she said," Things are tense.
How do we make it work?
He is looking for answers to basic questions.
"How do we maintain stable cash flow? " he wonders.
"Where do we allocate the available budget?
If the traditional record
Label Business model
Invest in studio meetings and concert tours to make money on CD and record sales
Already dead, actually everyone agrees this is, so what is the next step?
Katsambas check his email
Every morning, even before he turns on the lights, he gets an email from his bed.
He's not panicked. yet.
"In times of crisis, I will make the best decision," he said . "
But he needs a road map.
In two days, three industry experts recruited by FSB climbed the steep steps
Meet with Katsambas and his vice president of sales, John Cariaso.
The first is Nicholas Butterworth, 39.
He came here in jeans and a black T-shirt.
With a Vegas shirt engraved in front, it was quickly incorporated.
Butterworth has become a pillar of his industry by running the music site SonicNet.
When MTV acquired SonicNet in 1999, Butterworth became the CEO of MTV Interactive Group.
He's a character these days.
Time jay and full-
Time entrepreneur
His latest project is Travelistic.
Com, a video website for travelers.
Katsambas takes batworth to visit the neighboring warehouse quickly, where the terrible-
Children who look like they have extra holes in their bodies (
Katsambas is the only employee with neither paint nor punctured skin)
Some people on board are picking and packing CDs and mailing them all over the world.
Katsambas started the business in a company because he was not satisfied with the Mail
His label was obtained from a third party.
Today is the biggest metal music mail.
Ordering websites on the Web, except for the dozens of tags processed by the end, accounts for two-
Third place in the company's sales and all profits.
"If it's not mail order, the label won't work," Katsambas admits . ".
"Back in the last plywood --
Butterworth asked, "what percentage of the total sales of the label is the number?
Salesman of "1%" Cariaso.
Metal and hard
Core fans are more willing to buy a full CD.
They want to be able to read the lyrics and listen to the entire album.
Batworth replied: "It is a blessing of mixed.
On the one hand, this means that terminals are less vulnerable to digital piracy than major labels.
Digital sales then generate 10% of total sales on a typical major label --
It's not just the 99-cent single on iTunes, but a licensed ringtone for a few dollars.
"I think you should keep looking into digital sales," said Butterworth . ".
"The numbers are not spread across these audiences, and that doesn't mean it still doesn't make sense.
"He suggested experimenting on the terminal's own website instead of waiting for iTunes to solve it.
He suggested that maybe the solution is that there is no digital content on the CD, or that there is a digital pre-release one month before the new CD goes public --
But only for preferred customers
"Your first, the best customer is someone who already likes the band," explains Butterworth . ".
"But I would prefer to sell the market to people who have already recorded and know the label from the end.
"Another lesson of the profession is: ultimately, it should be considered to establish a different partnership with artists in which they can participate in tourism income and goods such as hats, T-shirts, etc.
Shirts and collectibles
Katsambas suddenly thought: "This is what we want to build, too --
Of course, it is the sales part of goods.
"You don't want to get into a bidding battle with established artists for the rights of goods," batworth warned . ".
"It's worse than fighting for music rights.
The risk is greater, and you may fall into inventory that you don't want.
But maybe you can provide
Cooperation agreement
The new band you're developing
They will be ecstatic and you can grow up with them.
"Butterworth would also like to know if there is a way to add some higher --
Profit of mixed products.
"Either re-issue or the biggest --
"Hit or cover records and concept albums," he mused . ".
Katsambas looks suspicious.
Butterworth has a bit of a face.
"I mean, it's all cheesy," he said . "
"It's never going to be a hit and benefit in the same way, but, you know, TVT Records (tvtrecords. com)
It is based on the recording of songs on TV.
They sell at a very high profit every year.
"After lunch, Dan Levy, 48, came as a former management consultant and is now working for including Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Patty Smith and Bruce Springsteen
Before he came, Levy looked at the website and listened to some clips and found at least one band he liked, estradasoft (
"Strange bands, strange names, major musicians," Katsambas said . ")
And ordered a CD.
He said he was impressed by the large number of international bands on the label.
"I was thinking that if you had a map of the world showing where all the bands came from, it would be very neat on the website," he said . ".
Katsambas praised the location head and wrote down the suggestions.
"When I went to the site, I wanted to be able to learn more about the band," Levy said . ".
"If you have really motivated bands, you should have them create more content for your website.
You have the kind of audience you want to know more about.
You can create original content like audio interviews, or just Q & A, or open Q & A to fans.
"Levy wants to know if it has considered other places besides the record store where CDs can be sold.
"You may not bring this music into Starbucks (
Top 500 SBUX in the world)," he allows.
"But will your audience go to other retail environments?
Maybe it's not a skateboard or a surf shop, but it has to be somewhere.
"This is the dilemma I am facing," Katsambas said . ".
"There is no audience for this music.
We created it.
There's nothing like estradasoft before.
"Levy does not buy it.
"Teenagers who like this music now are very similar to teenagers who like it [
1970 progressive rock band
Emerson, Lake & Palmer and
He paused.
"Since then, I have grown into a journalist and consultant.
Have the mentality of enjoying music.
It is impossible for your audience to be so distant that they do not shop in the store or go to the local shopping.
"The last one is Peter Spelman, 49, who is the director of career development at the Berkeley School of Music in Boston and the author of two books, including the self
Promotion of musicians "(
Berklee Press, $2495).
Spelman is wearing a black jumper with a pencil beard and a goat beard.
"I think it's always wise to look at the lows --
He said with exaggeration.
For example, Katsambas can create a neat revenue stream by authorizing the final songs of TV, movies and video games.
He urged: "Just focus on inserting songs and then outsource it to the government for 5% of the cost so you don't have to worry too much about the details.
"I totally agree," Katsambas said . " It doesn't sound very convincing.
"This is something I need to explore.
But you know, with moving to New York. . .
"I totally understand," said Spelman . "
"But you need to know as much as you can about licensing.
You should also come up with as many ways as possible to make the fan common
The creator of the success of these acts.
It allows fans to participate in the selection of what single is pushed to the radio station.
It can decide which of the three graphic images to choose for the CD cover.
Open-minded artists will find that this is the most powerful loyalty solidified ever.
"Keep doing what you're doing," Spellman concluded . ".
Here he is on the same page as Butterworth and Levi.
All three advisers believe that Lodi's signing is a key development, both successful and unsuccessful. "My opinion? Said Spelman.
"See what you have done so far --
The smart decisions that have been made, the infrastructure that you have built, the connections that you have made --
You now have the elements to make great efforts and expand your success in this area.
"A few weeks later, we contacted Katsambas by phone at a music industry trade show in Cannes.
He told us a cash.
He has implemented an idea: publishing a limited company of $40
Book/CD portfolio related to the release of the novella reservoir, the latest album of darkness
Metal band novice doomsday band
Katsambas is also working to expand the international distribution of his mailorder catalog.
Next checkpoint: Lodi was released during the march. Stay tuned.
We promise to keep an eye on the story.
Our consultants recommend everything from selling a cd at a skating store to providing digital previews to loyal fans. Please e-
Mail your idea to the makeup editor of FSB at FSB _ mail @ time inc. com.
Can your business change its face?
Generally speaking, the successful change candidate is a small profitable company with an annual income of at least $1 million.
Submit your company for consideration, e-
Email FSB face-to-face editor
Please briefly describe your business, provide your recent and projected income and explain why you think your company will benefit from the transformation. -------------------------