The Licensing Plate

A Genre-Bending Musical Pitch to Ad Agencies

The old joke about asking how to get to Carnegie Hall and being told “practice!” is getting a rewrite by a music licensing company, which is asking how to get to Madison Avenue and answering in an unusual way.

The New York Times (full article)

Coca-Cola Music aims to become “established music brand”

Coca-Cola aims to make its music marketing platform an “established music brand” in its own right, pitching it against companies such as iTunes and MySpace.

The music programme – which forms a part of Coca-Cola’s overall marketing strategy – will target teenagers, through collaborations with artists, record labels and technology companies, as it looks to double the entire company’s revenue to more than $200bn (£122bn) by 2020.

MarketingWeek (full story)

Hilarious/Sad: Rapper Sued by Waffle House Over the Track, “Waffle House”…

If a rapper made a song in honor of your restaurant, would you sue? Even if it had the possibility of making you a mandatory afterparty spot for a generation?  Well, after Florida rapper J.R. Bricks started buzzing with the afterparty track, “Waffle House,” he received a surprising letter from Waffle House, Inc.

digital music news (full story)

Justin Bieber’s perfume rakes in over 3 million

Justin Bieber’s debut perfume looks set to become the top-selling perfume of 2011.

The 17-year-old singer’s women’s scent, Someday, generated more than $3 million in retail sales at Macy’s in New York in under three weeks and experts are already hailing its debut on June 23 as the most successful celebrity fragrance launch in history.

Frost Magazine (full story)

Kanye West and Louise Goldin to set up womenswear label

American musician Kanye West and British fashion designer Louise Goldin are collaborating on a ready-to-wear label.

Professor Louise Wilson, the director of the MA in fashion course at Central Saint Martins, confirmed she had advised West and said he had recently made a donation to the college.

The Guardian (full story)

Taylor Swift Launches New Perfume

There doesn’t seem to be a star in Hollywood who doesn’t have his or her own fragrance, and now Taylor Swift is finally joining the ranks.

The country-singing star, 21, has partnered with Elizabeth Arden to create her first perfume for women, Wonderstruck.

Rolling Stone (full story)

Converse’s Free Recording Studio Rubber Tracks Opens

Today Converse Inc. officially announced the opening of its Brooklyn recording studio, Converse Rubber Tracks, which allows artists to sign up and record songs for free.

Converse announced the studio last fall, and bands were able to apply for studio time on the Converse website until May 31.

Billboard (full story)

Coldplay Launching Samsung AT&T Summer Krush Concert Series

Coldplay will perform in Los Angeles later this summer to help launch the fourth annual Samsung AT&T Summer Krush, a free concert series designed to showcase the capabilities of the newly released Samsung Infuse 4G, available exclusively through AT&T.

Billboard (full story)

Yoko Ono threatens to sue over John Lennon themed pub

Singer accuses Scottish bar of copyright infringement for using her late husband’s image and name.

NME (full story)

Paul Frank brand to launch unsigned artists album

Saban Brands is taking Paul Frank, the cartoon-based apparel and accessories brand, on a summer tour of the US as it rolls out a variety of interactive and creative events, including the chance for unsigned bands to secure a place on a new branded album.

MusicWeek (full story)

Keith Urban Teams With AT&T, Samsung for ‘Get Closer’ Tour

Keith Urban has inked an integrated sponsorship deal with AT&T and Samsung for his upcoming “Get Closer” 2011 World Tour, it was announced today. The agreement includes AT&T/Samsung’s naming rights as presenting sponsor and Urban’s endorsement of the Samsung Infuse 4G2 smartphone, exclusive to AT&T customers.  Samsung/AT&T was also the presenting sponsor of the just-concluded Billboard Country Music Summit in Nashville.

Billboard (full story)

Dr. Dre for Chrysler 300

MSG Builds Bridges With First Marquee Partner, JPMorgan Chase

As MSG begins renovations, now valued above the already estimated cost of $850 million, it has turned to its signature partners, Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola Co. and Anheuser-Bush, to associate their brands with new structures throughout the old stadium.

AdAge (full story)

Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2 sponsors Katy Perry tour

Katy Perry’s North American California Dreams tour is to be sponsored by the popular Nintendo Wii game Just Dance 2, with an additional social media competition element enabling fans to win VIP experiences.

MusicWeek (full story)

Eminem sues Audi over ad’s use of “Lose Yourself” – Audi Responds

Eminem has filed a cease-and-desist order against Audi, alleging the German carmaker illegally used the rapper’s Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself” in a commercial for its new 2012 Audi A6 Avant.

The Hollywood Reporter (full story)

Audi’s response here.

Coca-Cola launches Olympic Torch Relay campaign with Dizzee Rascal

Coca-Cola launched its London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay nomination campaign to find the UK’s ‘Future Flames’ yesterday, with a live music event at Westfield shopping centre in West London.

MusicWeek (full story)

Led Zeppelin, KISS, Paris Hilton: Licensing International Expo Preview

John Wayne has been dead since 1979 and Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, yet both hope to find new life in Las Vegas beginning June 14.

That’s when the actor and the legendary band will be packaged and promoted with new product offerings, fresh merchandise and line extensions as part of the 31st Licensing International Expo, presented by Advanstar and the trade group LIMA.

Billboard (full story)

GaGa’s FarmVille crop was rich but temporary

The recent Lady GaGa promotion with FarmVille drove traffic to the online game up by over 30% at its peak – but its impact was short-lived.

MusicWeek (full story)

Universal Music partners with Tommy Hilfiger

The record label of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and the Black Eyed Peas strikes a deal with the fashion designer to create rock-’n'-roll-inspired clothing for high-end boutiques and department stores.

Los Angeles Times (full story)

Lady Google: Is Gaga About To Sign A $10 Million Google Laptop Endorsement Deal?

Maybe it’s just the easy way that the phrase “Gaga and Google” slips off the tongue, but there’s no shortage of  rumors about how the megastar and megacompany may be working together going forward.

Billboard (full story)