While the Internet has provided vast opportunities for sharing digital media, some are concerned that this technology is harming long standing industries. The main industries in question are film and music. With the ease of online downloading, many changes are occurring in the world of film and music. Despite the concerns over these changes, many are adopting a more positive outlook on the digital media revolution. A few of these beneficial outlooks are described below.
Free Marketing
Film and music professionals have long relied on word of mouth marketing to increase their popularity. The Internet has simplified the word of mouth opportunities and often, greatly increased the popularity of many songs and movies.
Online social media networks and video sharing websites allow consumers to express their opinions on popular movies and albums. When these opinions are positive, the result is free marketing for the creators of the films and music and, ultimately, an increase in profits.
Easy Access
Many consumers who previously wouldn’t have purchased a certain song or movie are now becoming regular purchasers because of how easy it is to download products online. By offering their songs and films in various online outlets, creators gain access to more consumers and can increase profits. Additionally, by allowing consumers to purchase individual songs rather than entire albums, creators are more effectively meeting consumer demands.
Free Downloads
A main concern in the film and music industries is the loss of income due to free downloads of their products being offered through illegal online outlets. However, recent technological advances have simplified the process of locating and shutting down these illegal ventures.
Product misuse has existed throughout history and continues to be a problem with each new technological advance – which is what is currently happening. Despite the loss of profits caused by these illegal downloads, the benefits of online digital media sales far outweigh the issues.