The commercialization of music is a subject of much debate. When an artist's songs are used to sell a product, it makes you wonder if the intent of the song is being compromised, and just how using the song is helping sell said product. In an era when hard CD sales are at an all time low and record shops are closing their doors because of the rise of sites like iTunes and Rhapsody, many artists are turning to commercial placement as a way to turn a profit. Among the artists whose music has shown up in TV ads for products ranging from shoes (Puma, Nike) to cars (Volkswagen, Subaru, Cadillac) to restaurants (Outback Steakhouse) are the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Magnetic Fields, of Montreal, Nick Drake, Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, and M.Ward. One of the earlier, better-known cases of popular music liscensed for commercial use was in a 1987 Nike ad featuring "Revolution" by The Beatles. [Commercial still pictured at right.] Michael Jackson purchased the publishing rights to more than 100 Beatles songs in 1985 and had sanctioned its use in the ad. A lawsuit followed and while the outcome remains a secret to this day, we do know Yoko Ono approved of its use while the three surviving members of the band did not. The incident also ended the long-standing friendship between Jackson and Paul McCartney.
I spoke with several music industry people about the matter, from musicians to managers, and they all had something different to say. Cally (full name Cound Martindt Cally Von Callomon) manages Nick Drake as if he were a living person. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Lyle Hysen, who owns Bank Robber Music (BRM for short) and works with Merge Records directly in regards to licensing and commercial placement for many Merge artists. I also talked to Deon Rexroat, bass player for Anberlin, and Adam Lowenberg at Primary Wave Music. Primary Wave deals with publishing for Anberlin, as well Kurt Cobain, Hall And Oates, Daniel Johnston, and Bo Diddley, to name a few.