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And one more via the Marginal Revolution

Michael considered fate at 19:08   |   Permalink   |   Post a Comment

An Article at the Guardian claims Ten percent of the world's music market is cell phone ringtones.

Apparently ringtones are generating a "staggering" $3 billion.

Yes, that is staggering. WTF people?

A reply to the Marginal Revolution post over at a little ludwig goes a long way makes the conclusion:

• 1. People want their music mobile. Fixed location music is worth a lot less than mobile music.


• 2. People love to express themselves thru customization -- ringtones, custom engraving on ipods, faceplates, themes for blogs, etc. Never underestimate the demand for this.

To which I would reply with some amendments:

• 1. People want their music mobile, sure, but not necessarily for the most obvious reasons. I would venture that kids buying ringtones at $3.99 a pop or what have you has a lot more to do with bling bling than it does with actually listening to the music. At 30 seconds, are you really getting any entertainment out of it? But out in public 30 seconds of music coming from your back pocket goes a long way in social advertising towards your peers. Look at me, I'm cool, I like the new 50-cent song. This is the same reason half of the population of my state (Maine) drives brand new jacked-up 4x4 pickups while they live in trailers: People at work don't see your house in the woods, they see the vehicle you show up in. People at the bar don't see your house, they see the wheels you roll up in. Humans do as much social advertising as corporate america does product advertising.


• 2. People love to express themselves specifically because of point #1, it's all about the image baby.