Actually, I'm pretty sure the score is more like Music Labels 786, Consumers 1. But either way, chalk one up for the consumers. While speaking at a conference in Asia recently, the head of Warner Music admitted that his company made a mistake in the way it handled evolving technologies, especially file-sharing. He said:
We used to think our content was perfect just exactly as it was. We expected our business would remain blissfully unaffected even as the world of interactivity, constant connection and file sharing was exploding.
I know what you're thinking: He didn't honestly believe that resting on his laurels was a successful way to combat file-sharing, did he?
What you don't know is this: The head of Warners developed his business plan after attending the 17th Annual Conference For Terrible Business Strategies. Check out some of the seminars offered at that conference, and tell me they weren't giving out pretty poor advice...
-"Computer Technology: Don't Worry, Nobody's Going To Try To Hack You"
-"Culinary Arts: Always Remember the 5 Second Rule"
-"Starting Your Own Clothing Line: The Kriss Kross Look is Coming Back in '08!"
-"Gun Manufacturing: Do We Really Need a Safety?"
-"Accounting 101: Just Round Up, Nobody Will Notice"
-"Consulting Ideas: Always Tell the Client What They Want to Hear"
-"Automotive Design: Brakes Are For Pussies"
-"The Music Biz: This File-Sharing Thing Isn't Going Anywhere, Relax"
See what I mean? He was duped!
