Taylor Swift Is Some Serious Business
With a few taps of a keyboard, Taylor Swift once again showed that she is more than a pretty face and a sweet voice, as evidenced by the one-two punch she dealt to Apple this week.
The New York Times has written extensively about Taylor Swift’s business prowess, and on Monday, they wrote once again, impressed by the speed at which she shut the tech and media giant down.
“She is the most powerful person in the music industry,” said David Lowery of the bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, and an advocate for artists’ rights. “She is able to bring the debate to the mainstream.”
Well done @taylorswift13 for standing up for artists – and well done Apple for listening http://t.co/7Y6HejwtSE
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) June 22, 2015
Bring biggest corporation in world to its knees, check. Now, back to my day job! #TaylorSwift on top of the world! pic.twitter.com/h8nMgvfyH7
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) June 24, 2015
Swift reached out to her followers via social media, taking Apple to task for not paying royalties to artists during trial periods of its new music streaming service with a note entitled: “To Apple, Love Taylor.”
“I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music,” Swift explained. “I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.”
Quickly, Apple capitulated, and reached out to Taylor Swift via social media to respond to her message, and letting her know that they’ve heard her, and agree to her terms.
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Taylor Swift is showing that she will not back down on the topic of royalties, as she did when she removed her whole catalog from Spotify. With Apple, she stood firm and it paid off.
“We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.”
It seems that Taylor Swift has humbled Apple and Apple exec Eddy Cue, to the point where he issued a statement that said that they obviously needed to “make a change.”
So now, as Swift touches down on boyfriend Calvin Harris’ home turf of Scotland with her 1989 world tour, she is raising her stock yet again, in the eyes of the world and Harris.
“I just played a gig inside a giant owl and my girl just changed the entire music industry what a day,” Harris tweeted Tuesday.
Well said Mr. Harris, well said.
What will be Taylor Swift’s next move in the business world?
[Photos courtesy of Business Insider]
