That headline was just begging to be written wasn’t it?
“I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company,” Taylor observed to her 50m + Twitter followers.
In a nutshell, Apple Music, which launches on 30th June, had planned to not pay artists during the three month trial period offered to subscribers. “Taytay” described this as “unfair” and announced she way refusing to allow Apple Music to stream her album “1989”.
“We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.”
Fair point well made Taylor.
However, fast-forward 24 hours and the man at the top of this particular Apple food chain, one Eddy Cue, tweeted that the decision had been reversed.
“We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love Apple.”
Now, whether one believes this is a change of heart and the respect for the creative process (ahem) or mind, is up for debate (ish) but what it does emphatically show is the power that Taylor Swift commands.
Speaking to Associated Press, Cue said;“When I woke up this morning and I saw Taylor’s note that she had written, it really solidified that we needed to make a change.”
I bet it did Eddy.
Taylor herself tweeted that she was “elated and relieved…they listed to us.”
They did indeed, although “us” might be a stretch but again, great PR from Taylor to not try and claim all the glory.
Credit also to Apple Music and Eddy Cue, they did listen but that negative stain on their reputation won’t shift with a quick wash in Taylor’s Twitter tide.
However…if you didn’t know about Apple Music’s launch before…you sure do now.
No such thing as bad publicity? Standby for my thoughts on that later this week.