Find listed below a selection of digitalmusic.org commissioned research reports and white papers ranging in topic from digital music to music discovery to the demographics of the music buyer. To request access to report, please complete the Report Request Form at the bottom of the page. Reports are free to members.
For questions, please contact Nicole Hennessey, NARM’s Director Of Communications, at hennessey@narm.com, or 856.596.1803.
Consumer Discovery And Purchasing Behaviors (11.10.11)
NARM and The NPD Group released findings of a joint study that examined the ways consumers discover new music. (For the press release, click here.) The report indicates that while music discovery is still vital to the industry, it applies differently to various consumer groups, and it has changed significantly since the organizations last studied the topic in 2007, as television and social media and other digital services have emerged as major influencers. Take a look at some of the key stats:
- More than 80% of all respondents were interested in learning about new music from artists they were already fans of, and 60% were interested in learning about unfamiliar artists in genres that they usually buy.
- AM/FM radio and family/friends/coworkers are the most common avenues for discovery, and discovery via online radio and Web videos were also important for the most active music fans. Television has emerged as the second-most influential tool for music discovery, with 49% of musically active consumers citing it as a top influence.
- Most of those who cited radio also reported they would wait to hear a new song again, rather than purchase the track.
- Shazam and other song-ID apps, as well as other mobile/tablet apps, are most likely to lead to high-value actions, like paying for a CD or digital download. Free online radio, video sites like YouTube and Vevo, and other emerging forms of influence are more likely to cause listeners to continue to stream songs, rather than buy them.
- People that shop for music at retail stores are more likely to buy the music they discover there than from other sources.
- An important segment of music customers are ultra consumers who are influenced by a variety of sources and will embrace new methods of engagement and learning, including the cloud, streaming and social networks.
The Music Industry & The Wider Context (5.11.11)
During the 2011 NARM Convention, Futuresource Consulting presented this update on some of the key trends in the global music markets, highlighting revenue opportunities and market drivers across multiple platforms, business models and countries. Within this, hardware and mobile trends are discussed, with a particular focus on key companies driving change.
2011 Music Update (5.11.11)
During the 2011 NARM Convention, Gartner Research VP Michael McGuire discussed the key technology-driven business changes facing the music industry and business. From the re-emergence of online music subscriptions, driven in large part to the consume lust for smartphones and media tablets such as the iPad, to the potential for in-car and connected TV-based music experiences, consumers more than ever have the ability to discover, acquire and consume music. However, there remain significant obstacles to the full exploitation of the opportunity for labels, publishers and retailers. In this report, Gartner addresses these challenges and opportunities, giving retailers, service providers and device manufacturers some insight into how things will continue to change in the coming months and years.
White Paper: Digital Supply Chain & Operations (3.17.10)
The NARM Digital Think Tank White Paper, “Digital Supply Chain & Operations – A Music Industry Initiative,” identifies a priority list of digital operations issues facing the music industry today, along with the initial actions the DTT’s Digital Supply Chain & Operations Work Group will undertake to begin addressing these issues. The White Paper details historical information on standardization both within the music industry and in other industries, along with member-identified and prioritized issues surrounding identification and communications standards for music release metadata. It is intended to provide an understanding of the core issues currently undermining accurate and efficient delivery of music information and music. It also features recommendations regarding how NARM will work strategically address these topics.
Deluxe Products Survey Yields Important Insights (10.20.09)
In exploring a possible promotional effort around deluxe physical product, the New Formats Committee and NARM staff conducted a survey of member retailers around key questions regarding deluxe product. The results of the survey validated the importance of deluxe product at retail outlets: A little more than 60% of respondents believe that consumers are “more likely” to purchase deluxe product over the standard CD once they are aware of it. The survey also yielded a number of key insights that may prove useful for all members, so we’re sharing the results with you.
Report Of Findings From The NARM College-Aged Consumer Panel (07.19.09)
As part of the recent NARM conference in San Diego, CA (June 7-10, 2009), Colen Research & Consulting conducted a live panel discussion among college-aged music consumers. This serves as a report of the key findings from the panel. The two-part objective of the panel was to: A) Better understand how college-aged consumers are currently discovering, managing and listening to music; B) Obtain feedback on various new business models – both physical and digital.
Worlds Apart: Diversity of Home Entertainment In The International Markets (06.09.09)
Presented as part of the recent NARM conference in San Diego, CA (June 7-10, 2009) by Alison Casey, Futuresource Consulting.
Cyber Census 2009: A Coast-to-Coast Study of American Music Reality (06.08.09)
Presented as part of the recent NARM conference in San Diego, CA (June 7-10, 2009) by Maren Elwood & Rebecca Roth, On-Site Research Associates.
Nielsen: Measuring Music Consumption (06.08.09)
Presented as part of the recent NARM conference in San Diego, CA (June 7-10, 2009) by Chris Muratore, Nielsen SoundScan.
Boometrics: Baby Boomers & The Music Marketplace (09.05.07)
Commissioned by NARM and co-sponsored by AARP, this report reveals: Boomers represent considerable buying power, comprising 76 million consumers, 70% of whom buy music, mostly in the form of CDs; Digital music is growing in importance to this segment; Baby Bomers now account for a third of all CD sales; and there is $700M in potential incremental revenue among Boomer music buyers.
Consumers & Music Discovery (04.30.07)
This reported, authored by The NPD Group, includes a more detailed analysis of the three key messages in the report:
1) “Digital” has created new opportunities for discovery and commerce, but it may have a dark side; 2) Consumer rejection of the CD is not the cause of the current accelerated sales decline; and
3) Creating additional ROI within the physical retail store.
Digital Landscape (05.25.06)
Authored by The NPD Group, the key point from this report include: Digital acquisition of music is growing; Death of physical is greatly exaggerated; and In-store options present an opportunity to drive revenue.