With recorded music sales still declining and attention the new currency, the artist-fan relationship is increasingly where the music industry's true value lies. Record companies are no longer CD-sellers but managers of the entire experience between their artists - now brands - and their public, whatever the product, service or platform.
This issue will be at the centre of two days of debate come January 17 & 18 in Cannes. But in the meantime, what do you think? Is it now all about the fans, or was it ever thus? Will fans continue to pay for music products or services they perceive as truly valuable, or will they focus on whatever's free? Have your say; please comment away!
MIDEM's own conference programme - which notably looks at talent discovery, brands, publishing, management, law and more - is also available here.
