Apple Music Considering a Serious Price Drop, Sources Say

 Paul Resnikoff

What’s the ‘sweet spot’ price that will get streaming music to a billion subscribers? Maybe Apple Music will finally figure that out.

Apple Music may be preparing for a major price drop, according to a pair of sources working closely with the streaming service.  If implemented, the drop could be as much as 20%, which would put the final monthly price below $8.  The change, if implemented, would allow Apple to minimize any damage from a seriously undercutting Amazon Music.

The sources are not inside Apple, but have been working closely with the Apple Music service since its launch.  They also emphasized that the changes are still under discussion, albeit ‘under serious discussion’.  Still, there are valuation debates underway, and the price chop may not be implemented.

But how much are we talkin’ here?

 

Digital Diva Ruth McCartney Talks Big Data

Ruth McCartney, CEO of McCartney Multimedia and stepsister to the famous Beatle, spoke as part of the Paul A. Grosch Lecture Series on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Ruth McCartney shares her expert insights on Big Data and analytics.

Big Data is having a big moment. More than 90% of the data in the world was created in just the last two years. It’s cutting billions in energy costs, decoding DNA to find cures and anticipating hurricanes. Big Data predicted the Zika virus and the Ebola outbreak. It even predicted the winner of the 2012 presidential election.

With the power of massive data sets and advanced analytics, experts say that companies with savvy finance departments will better anticipate customer and supplier demand, predict sales and profits under hundreds of different scenarios, detect fraud and drastically cut the time it takes to close the books at the end of each quarter. Not surprisingly, accounting and finance graduates with data analytics expertise are in high demand.

“There is a new generation of accountants coming up who can be impactful in making sense of all this data that’s being collected,” said Ruth.

Ruth was introduced to data as a young girl in the mid-1960s when the Beatles were first becoming popular. She was essentially managing all of their fan mail by collecting names, addresses, cities and states as a way to keep in touch with them. She remembers John Lennon used to call them “customers” instead of fans.

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Ruth and Angie McCartney present at El Camino College, CA

Ruth and Angie McCartney were invited to present at El Camino College in Los Angeles by Dr. William Doyle. Ruth presented "Art and The Beatles", her in-depth analysis on how the Beatles not only changed the music industry but also their affects on the world of style, fashion and art. The presentation included personal stories by Angie McCartney, giving the class of music students a "close up" look what it was like being around The Beatles when they started having success in the early 1960's. Thanks to Dr. William Doyle and staff for making it happen.

Ruth McCartney, Wendy Doyle, Dr. William Doyle and Dr. Angie McCartney

Ruth McCartney, Wendy Doyle, Dr. William Doyle and Dr. Angie McCartney

Video Production Up Close

Final Cut X session of Nick Marechal's EPK (http://www.nickmarechal.com/media)

Final Cut X session of Nick Marechal's EPK (http://www.nickmarechal.com/media)

A brief look "behind the scenes" of a video timeline in Final Cut X. To my mind, video editors never get enough credit for the work they do. From choosing the right video clips, sound, music, voice over and animation, the actual process of editing all theses materials is extremely complex. The storyline has to work, be correctly "paced" in order not to "bore" the audience and offer "fresh" content all the time throughout the entire movie. At the same time, the overall "message" has to be preserved without losing context. So, when all the scenes are shot, all the audio is selected my formula is this: For every shoot day, you have to allow for 3 days of editing. Then, step back, allow the film to "breathe" and look at it with fresh eyes, do final adjustments and then you're ready to publish.
(Martin Nethercutt)

The Nelson Brothers & Wilson Sisters Team Up!

Billboard Article by: Chris Willman

Billboard Article by: Chris Willman

The legacy of brother acts in popular music is a long and storied one -- and the same goes for sister acts. Brothers teaming up with unrelated sisters? Not so much history there, since the Stanley Brothers never did manage to make a record with the Andrews Sisters. So it’s a unique wrinkle that finds Matthew and Gunnar Nelson -- formerly known as Nelson in their early ‘90s hard-rock heyday -- combining with Carnie and Wendy Wilson, of Wilson Phillips fame, for a new Christmas single that doubles up on blood harmonies.
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Big Data lecture at Loyola Marymount University

Giving a lecture on Big Data at Loyola Marymount University on the night of the final presidential debate is an attendance challenge by itself, but in front of a packed auditorium Ruth McCartney stood her ground. Presenting her findings on the future of data management and analytics in front of a mixed crowd of students, faculty and the public, Ruth inspired young and old minds alike with facts, wit and humor. Thanks to Dr. Mahmoud Nourayi and Nancy E. Donovan and everyone at LMU for making us so welcome.

Nancy E. Donovan, Angie McCartney, Dr. Mahmoud Nourayi, Ruth McCartney

Nancy E. Donovan, Angie McCartney, Dr. Mahmoud Nourayi, Ruth McCartney

"Ruth McCartney’s presentation about the Big Data was an engaging and informative report on several dimensions relevant to the business professionals, faculty and students."
Dr. Mahmoud Nourayi, LMU

"Dear Ruth,
I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your lecture at LMU last evening. As an alumnus I have attended a number of such presentations over the past several years on a variety of topics, but I don’t know that any of them have been more relevant and informative – or as entertaining to listen to – and it was certainly eye-opening to learn how pervasive data analytics have become in every facet of our lives. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with us, and particularly with the LMU students who will soon be managing the Big Data world we now live in."
Jim Belna, LMU ‘79

Steve Tyrell launches brand new McCartney Smart Site

Steve Tyrell launches a new SmartSite® that fits all sizes and devices! From desktop browsers to iPads, Androids and iPhones, SteveTyrell.com is truly the ultimate mobile experience for lovers of Jazz and the Great American Songbook.

Developed by McCartney, the site includes responsive video, a VIP list, and up to date gig list and even includes all his social feeds all in one place! A one-stop-shop for fans of this iconic composer, producer and performer.

www.stevetyrell.com

Just in time for the High Holidays!

McCartney Multimedia, Inc, recently developed a fresh look for "The Children of Freedom"
A new interactive experience lets members ad to event calendars and online content.

The B’nai Horin Story

This Jewish community is for those of us who want to live more spiritually enriching lives, who want to make time more precious, our families, friends and loved ones more precious. It is for those of us who want to make our own lives more precious, to make the lives of all people more precious, to make the life of our planet more precious. It is for those of us who want to make “G-d” more precious. G-d, you who are present everywhere in our world – most of all, deep within each of us.

– Rabbi Stan Levy

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Green Angel Music

A new look and feel for Mary Lou Newmark and her Green Angel Music web site.
Mary Lou Newmark is an electric violinist, composer, and poet living in Los Angeles, California. Her compositions are far from traditional. Ms. Newmark bridges the gap between current trends in electronic music and the virtuosic violin techniques of the past. Her work incorporates live performance, original poetry and electronically generated sounds. The results are unique pieces that inhabit their own sound worlds. As an artist of both music and words, Ms. Newmark continues to expand her creativity to include works for theater that combine the performing arts to explore social issues.
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A rare moment with Bono

A rare moment with Bono.
Leica Gallery Los Angeles, CA September 8, 2016

He was just coming down the stairs of the Leica Gallery in Los Angeles, when the press photographers asked for a pose. While they were in front of him, I was to the side, when he turned to my camera and gave me a smile. It's one of those moments in life you'll never forget.
Being at the right place at the right time.

Martin Nethercutt

Julian Lennon "Cycle" Photo exhibit at Leica Gallery Los Angeles

Julian Lennon and Angie McCartney

Julian Lennon and Angie McCartney

"There’s a Circle in our lives that keeps us going round, and with every revolution, there is something to be found.It’s the essence of the moment, it’s the understanding why, it’s the road to resolution, it’s the journey to the sky….”

Julian Lennon has always felt that he has observed life differently, perhaps because his path through life has been so unusual. Nothing could be more apparent, as he reveals to the viewer his keen eye for composition and his gift for capturing an intimate moment. Julian seeks to depict his personal journey as an artist in the midst of unique life experiences.

 

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