Horizon Media’s Post

I had a chance last week to join Cara Kneer and her incredible team at Atlanta & Co. to talk about Black Music Month and Atlanta's musical contributions. The conversation around equity has to continue beyond June. Here are my big takeaways on the issues in the industry as it stands for black artists and professionals and my proposed solutions to help make the music industry a more successful industry for all. The Issues:  We have little to no control of how the music comes out and is shared/framed with the public, the labels and system do. This prevents us from moving culture in a positive way. We have little to no control over finances. This creates opportunities where young people and young leaders can be taken advantage and "pimped out" for short-term corporate profits.   We have little to no control of the people. Sure, we are seeing more black executives than in the past, but in the system they are reinforcing the institution. When I was in this system I gave up my freedom to be able to create systemic change and I knew that. That change has to be done by means of getting the full trust that other groups have over their music (Latins running Latin music, Nashville people running country music) I KNOW all of this is because I was in this and lived this and when I tried to change things I got the boot. The Solutions: Grassroots community building - we as a black community need to start investing in each other and passing our knowledge on in an impactful way to the generation behind us. We need to bring awareness to our non-black friends to understand what we are up against and how this is actually preventing moving culture forward for all of us. Real ACTUAL inclusivity, not empty titles/positions where black leaders can't actually lead https://lnkd.in/er-kD3jS #blackmusicmonth #dei #diversity #equity #blackprofessionals #blackbusiness #musicindustry #music #entertainment #entrepreneurship #raydaniels

#BaggiBites Stage 22: Identity Crisis Yesterday my phone was alive with debate about this year’s Glastonbury line up - especially the headline acts. I found myself a little relieved I missed out on a ticket after all! It seems every year, its ethos and identity is questioned. This year, respected music critic Neil McCormick argued “Glastonbury has given up on rock - and turned into a children’s birthday party”. 🎸🧒 🎉 It's easy to think Glastonbury is all about the headline acts. Its difference: staying true to its original purpose and beliefs. There is something for everyone: https://lnkd.in/emwBWTS3 Arguably the lack of rock on its stages is a betrayal of the festival’s roots. And the origins of its existence: https://lnkd.in/eMzhC7K2 The identity of Britain 🇬🇧 itself has been brought into question this week, particularly in attracting the best global talent to the creative sector. I find this alarming. The government takes great pride in promoting the creative industry abroad as a key sector to invest in but post-Brexit, this is yet another example of it shooting itself in the foot: https://lnkd.in/ewWbvnTb This fantastic campaign during Black History Month used Spotify to relay speeches by black leaders - powerful, engaging, and a very strong sense of identity: https://lnkd.in/eA7a23jY On a different note, I love the new identity created for Go.Compare. Am I alone in thinking that on TV, its masot, Gio Compario 🇮🇹 is intensely annoying (but I guess that’s the point in this sector). However in digital, animated form, in combination with the new identity, it’s quite charming. Maybe time to replace the real Gio altogether?! (Remember Halifax’s Howard?) https://lnkd.in/ePekHhap Event: If you’d like to see evidence of a founder and company utterly confident in it’s vision, identity and talent, then I’d recommend you see 100 Years of Disney 🐭 at the ExCel: https://lnkd.in/eKecQ8vx This week’s 'Legend Slot': after HMV picking up ‘Specialist Retailer of the Year’ at last week’s Retail Week Awards, I was thrilled to see vinyl records included in the Office for National Statistics Inflation Index for the first time in 32 years. Quite a turnaround 🎶 https://lnkd.in/eUUvmMFW Quote of the week: Walt Disney telling the story of Mickey’s creation: “He popped into my mind onto a drawing pad…on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.” #identity #branding #storytelling 

#BaggiBites Stage 22: Identity Crisis Yesterday my phone was alive with debate about this year’s Glastonbury line up - especially the headline acts. I found myself a little relieved I missed out on a ticket after all! It seems every year, its ethos and identity is questioned. This year, respected music critic Neil McCormick argued “Glastonbury has given up on rock - and turned into a children’s birthday party”. 🎸🧒 🎉 It's easy to think Glastonbury is all about the headline acts. Its difference: staying true to its original purpose and beliefs. There is something for everyone: https://lnkd.in/emwBWTS3 Arguably the lack of rock on its stages is a betrayal of the festival’s roots. And the origins of its existence: https://lnkd.in/eMzhC7K2 The identity of Britain 🇬🇧 itself has been brought into question this week, particularly in attracting the best global talent to the creative sector. I find this alarming. The government takes great pride in promoting the creative industry abroad as a key sector to invest in but post-Brexit, this is yet another example of it shooting itself in the foot: https://lnkd.in/ewWbvnTb This fantastic campaign during Black History Month used Spotify to relay speeches by black leaders - powerful, engaging, and a very strong sense of identity: https://lnkd.in/eA7a23jY On a different note, I love the new identity created for Go.Compare. Am I alone in thinking that on TV, its masot, Gio Compario 🇮🇹 is intensely annoying (but I guess that’s the point in this sector). However in digital, animated form, in combination with the new identity, it’s quite charming. Maybe time to replace the real Gio altogether?! (Remember Halifax’s Howard?) https://lnkd.in/ePekHhap Event: If you’d like to see evidence of a founder and company utterly confident in it’s vision, identity and talent, then I’d recommend you see 100 Years of Disney 🐭 at the ExCel: https://lnkd.in/eKecQ8vx This week’s 'Legend Slot': after HMV picking up ‘Specialist Retailer of the Year’ at last week’s Retail Week Awards, I was thrilled to see vinyl records included in the Office for National Statistics Inflation Index for the first time in 32 years. Quite a turnaround 🎶 https://lnkd.in/eUUvmMFW Quote of the week: Walt Disney telling the story of Mickey’s creation: “He popped into my mind onto a drawing pad…on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.” #identity #branding #storytelling 

🎶 Reflecting on the 2024 Grammy Performance: Honoring Tradition while Embracing Innovation 🎤 Last night's Grammy performance featuring Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman showcased the beauty of collaboration and the importance of paying homage to musical pioneers while carving out your own unique path. In their performance, we witnessed a seamless fusion of Chapman's timeless classic "Fast Car" with Combs' contemporary sound. It was a reminder that we can learn so much from those who paved the way before us, while still infusing our own style and personality into our craft. As professionals, we can apply this principle to our own careers, whether in music or any other field. By studying the successes and failures of those who came before us, we gain valuable insights and inspiration that can help us navigate our own journey. At the same time, we must never lose sight of our individuality and the unique contributions we can bring to the table. So here's to embracing the wisdom of the past while fearlessly forging ahead with our own creative vision. Let's continue to learn from the legends and legends-in-the-making, honoring their legacy while writing our own chapter in the story of music and innovation. 🌟🎶 #Grammys2024 #MusicalInspiration #Innovation #Legacy #Collaboration P.S. Who else LOL'd at Jay-Z's "When I get nervous I tell the truth" comment?? 😂 P.S.S. 📸 Cred: @NYT

🎤✨ This year's Grammy Awards weren't just a showcase of stellar musical talent; they were also a masterclass in strategic business insights. We've distilled three transformative business lessons from the Grammys that can propel any organisation forward. 🚀 Swipe below to find out our three key takeaways. Let's hit the high notes in business together! #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #Collaboration #Mindset #Grammys2024

The responses to this are alarming but not surprising. Read the article.

“Representation only matters when it’s power to our people. ‘Cause our life is our music, and that’s Power To The People.” It’s our commitment to authenticity, accountability, and generating opportunities for Black artists, providing space for Black storytelling and spotlighting the importance of representation in Production Music. Will you sync with purpose? https://bit.ly/3RsFzMz

One of the great musicians, David Bowie, was known for his constant reinvention, shifting personas and musical styles numerous times. From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, Bowie maintained relevance and pushed artistic boundaries throughout his career. More recently, Prince, Beyonce and Taylor Swift have illustrated the power of reinvention in maintaining relevance, exploring new creative avenues, and connecting with different audiences throughout their careers. In this week's FTI Consulting Strategic Communications IR Monitor, we highlight an interesting article from the FT discussing how technology is reading annual reports and drawing conclusions based on the changes it sees, and the power of consistency. Studies suggest that companies rewriting their descriptions typically are more likely to suffer from future stock declines. https://lnkd.in/eaejUz82

In this exclusive chat with the industry veteran, #NickCannon talks about his new #Tubi show, platforms that embrace Black creators and more with me. Read up! https://lnkd.in/er9JnF_9

5 years, 6 questions (#2) (Special thanks to Julia Crammond for asking me these questions) How would you describe your recent position to your family and friends? I call myself an RTL evangelist. Generally, my job is to promote European media to US companies wanting to advertise overseas. I also sell YouTube inventory for BMG - The New Music Company, Fremantle, and BBTV, with artists like JLo and the Rolling Stones on board, Fremantle US, with shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent, and Oscar-nominated movies like 'Poor Things,' and BBTV with NBA Playmakers, gets everyone excited. Life Lesson: As far as I can remember, television took me away from other types of leisure activities and made me dream of Hollywood. I did not know I could make a living out of it nor that I could live in Los Angeles. françois mariet is the one who taught me all the basics at Université Paris Dauphine - PSL. His teaching has been a life-changer. Just do what you love in life! It's the surest way to be good at it!