The fact that the new Radiohead album hit number one in sales is worth noting. After all, this is the record that was offered digitally with optional pricing. It turned out that the average price paid by fans was close to what the retail price would have been, anyway.

Okay, maybe a few people downloaded the album and paid nothing, but in the grand scheme of things? The financial picture worked out well and the good will (and, not incidentally, press buzz) created by the optional pricing offer was significant.

There are indeed ways that musicians and fans can find middle ground in the digital age. Are you listening, RIAA and record companies?

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am and is filed under Internet Stuff, Marketing Stuff.