Last July, I wrote this commentary on the sensational revelation that big-time payola, not Tommy Mottola (head mogul at Sony), was behind the music success of lip-syncing performers from J.Lo to Jessica Simpson. And, even though pittance compared to how much it profited from this scheme, I thought the $10m fine NY Attorney General Spitzer levied against Sony was very much in the public interest. (Incidentally, if you have no idea what payola is, I invite you to read that commentary.)
Consumers have a right not to be misled about the way in which the music they hear on the radio is broadcast…Pay for play makes a mockery of claims that only the ‘best’ or ‘most popular’ music is broadcast. [New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (below)]
Therefore, I was extremely encouraged by Friday’s New York Times report that Spitzer has now fined Universal, the world’s largest record company, $12m for spending almost as much money to get radio programmers and DJs to play records from its label as it spent to get its artists (including Jessica’s cuckolded ex, Nick Lachey) to record them in the first place. Indeed, as part of its plea agreement, Universal was compelled to admit it had used:
…a broad array of illegal “pay for play” tactics to secure airplay for its
music, including bribing programmers with laptop computers, tickets to sporting events and luxury hotel stays.
NOTE: Not exactly combating insurgents in Iraq or illegal immigrants in the U.S. (about which I shall comment tomorrow), but I’m all for truth in advertising – whether we’re being sold on a war or on some bimbo’s musical talent….
payola music industry, Elliot Spitzer
Anonymous says
I am sure this struck a cord with those who would hear a song being played over and over again on the radio and wonder “How in the hell can that D.J. really believe that song was better than alot of the others you may have heard once for the day or never heard at all”
Ken says
I don’t blame the music companies for this. They only catering to stupid teenagers whose idea of good music is bubble-gum pop by “bimbos” like Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff and Kelly Clarkson. You know something’s wrong when Stevie Wonder has to appear on American Idol to sell his records.
Jim says
i agree that 12 million is nothing. so, what’s to stop them from continuing to do this if the risk is so low and the pay-off so big? it’s a joke…
Chris says
Don’t be naive dude. These payoffs have been going on in the business from the beginning of time. What do you think the casting couch is all about? This Spitzer guy is just grandstanding. A little favor here and there is just the way they do business. And it’s not nearly as bad as the payoffs politicians get everyday, right?