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Marketing Music Through Movies

Jenny Kim |
August 2, 2015 | 8:30 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

An ad for The Beatles, circa 1965 (via WikiCommons)
An ad for The Beatles, circa 1965 (via WikiCommons)
Often the entertainment industry, namely Hollywood, is divided into sectors of music and film. There are superstars on the stage like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, but then there are A-listers on the carpet like Brangelina and Clooney. So when the two come together and merge in one medium — the results are ***Flawless. 

50 years ago, The Beatles promoted their album “Help” through a movie-musical of the same name. Seems a bit backwards, doesn’t it? Well, it works.

Since then, we’ve seen this done and replicated time and time again through movies like "The Graduate," and more recently "The Fault In Our Stars," "Begin Again," and "Fifty Shades of Grey," along with the upcoming Eminem-produced "Southpaw." The theory behind this is that the film — most likely known to be a commercial success —will influence the desirability and appeal of the soundtrack, which would drive it in the public eye. 

READ MORESoundtrack Review: 'Begin Again'

Just like you associate “Mrs. Robinson” with "The Graduate," songs like “Boom Clap” from "The Fault In Our Stars" and “Lost Stars” from "Begin Again" are embedded into films to not only market the song itself, but also the film. Essentially, It works either way. 

The collaboration between music and movie has created a symbiotic relationship, both fiscally and aesthetically, which will drive fans to the theater, and likewise, a catchy song in a film will drive fans to iTunes…or Spotify….or Tidal. 

READ MORE: Apple Music And What It Means For The Industry

If you think about Christian Grey every time you hear “Earned It” on the radio, don't worry. It’s not your fault — it’s the nature of the business. 

Reach Staff Reporter Jenny Kim here



 

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