How do I want to be remembered......(An ongoing blog....)

"And whatever you got to do, to make sure you chase your legacy every second of your life.

Will you be remembered, how would you be remembered, why wouldn’t u fight for the greatest achievement ever?

Leave…Your…Mark…"

-Ray Lewis, Rise, from Madden '13

"I (work) prepare so no one can take what is mine, no one can replace my mind, my heart."

Ray Lewis

The last quote is why I wake up and push myself the way I have pushed myself over the last fifteen years.

"How will I be remembered....."

This is the question that defines the vision and mission for my life....

Ever since I earned my MBA and now my 2nd Masters degree, this question has been on my mind.  It represents the 3rd chapter of my life.  It drives my quest for a wife and kids and for something greater than what I have now.  This does not diminish the blessings I have currently, but there is something more out there that I can contribute.

Why Havent I Gotten Married As Of Yet?

Simply put, I havent found the right woman for me! I have found a few good women, but it can be hard when you work as much as I do!

Payola in the Music Business

The professional career of Malcolm Freeney has maintained two tracks from its inception: one of an IT professional and the other of a budding music entrepreneur of a company called Park Place Record Corporation. This is important to note because one financed the other. The proceeds from the IT employment became the seed capital for his company, Park Place Record Corporation. As Mr. Freeney worked his way up the ranks from desktop support professional to network administrator towards management, he used the proceeds to fund his entertainment company.

Park Place Record Corporation consists of several interrelated branches: an artist management wing, independent record label, and a music production company. The goal was to be a stop shop, where an artist would come in, get groomed, and subsequently introduced into the marketplace with great fanfare and success. It was an ambitious venture, but the vision was to become the next Motown, where the company would make history that would transcend generations. This is important to note because Mr. Freeney would soon come across a situation where there would be a conflict between his financial/economic responsibilities and social/ethical responsibilities. An ethical analysis of the situation facing Park Place reveals a major conflict facing the organization: whether to engage in payola with its debut R&B artist, Ricco.

II. Description of Ethical Situation

The situation in question involves Park Place’s debut artist, an R&B male singer named Ricco. He was signed to the organization’s management arm, but he required additional development to introduce him to the marketplace. So the production and record label arms went into full motion to develop a set of material that would be conducive to his image. The intent here was to develop a situation where Park Place would be presented in the best possible light in order to develop a brand that would last a lifetime. The record label went even further and began strategizing and developing a means for the product to be released to the public. This brings us to the situation in question:

Payola is a common practice in the music industry, where record labels pay the radio stations to have their music played. It has always been illegal, but each time the law has been updated or changed, the record labels found a way around the situation. The latest workaround was for the record labels and other entities to pay “independent promoters” and the independent promoters would pay the record labels. These payments would be legal and could be found as line items on the balance sheets for every radio station. In addition, artists for the record labels would perform for record labels for free

So, Park Place was faced with the debut product from Ricco, which was to be introduced to the local market in Washington, D.C. Should Park Place reinforce the servicing of the record to radio stations and local deejays with payola in order to have the material played on the air? The menu of possible actions was to: 1.) not engage in the act of payola under any particular situation or circumstance, 2.) engage in limited forms of payola where the nightclub deejays would be paid off to play the record, 3.) engage in another limited form of payola where radio is paid off (legally or otherwise) for radio play, or 4.) Engage in any and all forms of payola as a means to introduce the record to the marketplace.

This situation presented both financial/economic implications and ethical social implications. To develop the record from a creative perspective had already cost Park Place approximately $20,000 in studio time and deferred labor expenses. The production expenditures were mandatory because the product had to be on the level of the major labels to be able to compete. On a shoestring budget that was dependent of one IT salary, a marketing and promotion budget that included payola would double that amount, and perhaps triple it. However, the question remains as to how could revenue be generated without the exposure?

III. The Ethical Decision that was made

Park Place decided not to engage in any form of payola. Mr. Freeney was willing to forge partnerships with the radio stations in order to move the organization forward. However, Mr. Freeney felt that the records should be able to stand on their merits. He also felt that radio should have a vested interest in building the local music scene from the Washington, D.C. area.

The full scope of the “managerial agency” was not considered at the time these decisions were being made. Other than the fact that the Park Place Record Corporation had not heard of the term “managerial agency,” economic implications were the primary consideration in the decision. Park Place had already spent a considerable amount of capital on the production of the material in order to get it to broadcast quality. Broadcast quality was important for the recorded material to be able to compete with the major record labels. As a result, this left a limited amount of capital for marketing and promotions which was a concern for the organization. So Park Place was limited in its economic options because of its limited track record as an organization. In addition, Ricco was not developed to the point where he could enter into a relationship with a major record label.

The legal ramifications of the decision were not considered extensively even though Park Place was aware of their potential. Its historical significance hovered over the organization dating back to the 1950’s when Alan Freed was paying disc jockey’s to have his records played. However, it would not be a major factor due to the fact that the economic situation dominated the calculus of the decision at the time. The legal ramifications would become significant however, because in 2007, the FCC would conclude an investigation of four of the six major radio corporations. The investigation would result in a 12.5 million fine for Clear Channel Communications Inc., CBS Radio, Entercom Communications Corp. and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. In addition, some of the record labels (such as Sony/BMG) had to pay a separate settlement investigated and negotiated by the state of New York.
The ethical ramifications of the decision made by Park Place were not considered at the time. The principles of Park Place acknowledged that it had ethical responsibilities as well as economic and legal responsibilities. But those responsibilities were not the foremost priority of the organization as it was seeking to establish itself in the marketplace. There was some thought given as to Park Place’s ability to choose and change the values and practices of their environment in Washington, D.C. area. Dreams and visions of being a catalyst for change in the music industry were developed in meetings within the staff of Park Place. In this case, “voice” was considered as a viable option to voice ethical concerns and to potentially organize concerted action. But it was crushed by the realities of the business and thus not fully acknowledged by the principles of Park Place and thus was not carried out.

The result of the ethical decision was that Ricco did not gain any airplay from within the Washington, D.C. area for the first CD release. Some of the radio jocks gave favorable impressions of the material, but could not go out on the limb to start playing the music. Light radio play came from the release of a second CD, but this was based on the relationships that were cultivated from the first CD. In addition, the musical direction of the music on the second CD release changed so that there was some material that was more conducive for radio to support.

IV. Ethical Analysis of the Situation
The ethical decision that was made in this particular situation did not ascribe to a sole ethical theory. The thought process behind this decision combined several ethical theories to form the decision that was made. Portions of the Libertarianism and the Rawls theories apply directly to the ethical decision made by the principals of Park Place Record Corporation.

Mr. Freeney stressed independence as a principle component of the vision behind Park Place. He valued alliances and partnerships but did not wish to become overly dependent anyone or any external entities. This way the organization could control its own destiny and fulfill its enormous growth potential. The ethical components of the libertarianism theory that stresses individual freedom, independence, and ownership are components that directly apply to this situation. More specifically any law that would be considered to be moral or expressed any form of moral conviction by the majority . The act of payola may be morally wrong to some, but it does not implicitly harm anyone, so it is up to the individual or the corporation to make a decision on whether they choose to engage in such a practice.

Mr. Freeney thought as a viable local music organization, that the market would be fair in providing his material a viable introduction to the marketplace. Especially since he possessed quality material that was worthy of radio play, he felt that it was only fair and in everyone’s best interest to play the material. Representing the views of Park Place as the organization, they felt that the radio stations should make an exception in how they normally do business and operate on some form of a social contract. This contract would stipulate what they advertise on the air that they support local artists and thus provide them with a shot at regular rotation. It would be similar to Rawls’ ethical theory which calls for a “hypothetical agreement in an original position of equality.” Radio stations in the Washington, D.C. area spoke of nurturing local artists as part of their marketing slogans. Park Place simply felt that an agreement was implied that would promote equality amongst all of the local artists getting a chance at radio play.
However, If Park Place did not feel that an agreement was implied and thus, engaged in the practice of payola; it would have been the perfect example of utilitarianism. The reason being is that the monies would have caused the greater good for all of the parties involved. The radio stations would receive additional revenues, Ricco would have experienced his records in regular rotation at radio, and Park Place would have experienced increased sales and exposure as a result of the radio play.

Payola and radio would not qualify as a human right worthy of respect. So Kant’s theory does not have a direct application in this instance. However, there are some indirect applications when examining some of Kant’s categorical imperatives. Radio deejays making false promises of radio knowing full well that they cannot deliver on these promises would qualify as a violation of Kant’s Categorical imperative I: Universalize your maxim.

Aristotle’s theory of ethics applies in this situation, when you ask a basic question, “Does Park Place have a right to have their records played?” Would it be an injustice if their records were not played? In this given situation, Park Place does not have a right to have their records played if the people do not wish to hear it upon an initial listen. However, it would be an injustice if Park Place was competing against another independent record label and Park Place was disqualified based on the fact that the other record was backed with payola. Park Place did not deserve radio play just because it was a Washington, DC organization, but it did deserve a level playing field to operate on.

V. Conclusion

An ethical analysis of the situation facing Park Place reveals a major conflict facing the organization: whether to engage in payola with its debut R&B artist, Ricco. The conflict was ultimately between Park Place’s financial/economic responsibilities and its social responsibilities. Originally, the decision was to not engage in payola of any kind and given the same set of circumstances, the same decision would have been made again. However, with hindsight being 20/20, a different business decision should have been made to reduce expenditures within the production process.

Daily Dose

I am ready to start my album.................

Through all of the schoolwork and work work, along with life, I remember that I miss recording! Music is my first love and I have some unfinished business with it. It's time to start the album...........

Congratulations and How to get Inauguration Tickets

Intro to M. Blog

Welcome to the Video Blog

Must See!

Words To Live By

1. It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

Batman has won more fights at the last minute than we can count. The singing, the lady — it's a good metaphor. But we actually mean this one literally. Leave an opera before the fat lady sings, and you know what is over? Your life as anything other than an orphan, that's what. Learn to appreciate a little culture every once in a while — it just might save your parents' lives.

2. Never trust a man who smiles all the time.

He is either trying to sell you something or trying to kill you.

3. There are two faces to every friend ... and enemy.

Good and evil, friend and foe, life and death — there are two sides to every action, two aspects to every personality. Believe in original sin, but also in original virtue. And remember, most of all, that everybody has the capacity for both.

4. Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb.

A group of nuns, a flock of ducks, even a marching band — on a pier for crying out loud! Some days it's as if the whole world is conspiring against you. Keep trying: The solution to your problem may be right around the next corner.

5. Anatomically correct isn't always actually correct.

The fewer articles of clothing you have with built-in nipples, the better.

6. Always announce your presence.

"I am Batman." "I am Batman." "I am Batman." Let the world know your name ... and tremble.

7. Don't make promises you can't keep.

Batman's graveside vow? "I will rid the city of the evil that took your lives." Way to make sure you never have a day off, dummy. If you live to be a million, it's a promise you could never keep, a thought that becomes an action, an action that becomes an obsession, an obsession that becomes a lifetime, a lifetime that becomes a Sisyphusian endeavor. Next time, aim a little lower.

8. Learn to trust.

But don't just give it away for free. Be somebody's father, be somebody's son. Learn to trust at least two people with your life. Bonus points if these people actually depend on your survival for their livelihoods like, say, a butler and a ward. That said ...

9. Be self-reliant.

Your ward, your surrogate son, your — excuse us as we strain credulity — Boy Wonder you keep going on and on about? Dude's got a habit of disappearing when the stakes are highest, sometimes for decades at a time (and when he does show up, he's Chris O'Donnell). And those girls you keep romancing? Let's just say it's probably best that you don't get too attached.

10. When the Bat's away, the Cat will play.

Turn your back for one second, and the whole city suddenly needs your help ... again! The price of safety is nothing short of constant vigilance.

11. Always have a good alibi.

Strange bruises, a nonexistent social life — these things raise the question: What does Bruce Wayne do with his free time? So always have a good excuse. Note: Playboy Playmates or a boat filled with Russian ballerinas will not work for everybody.

12. Be smarter than your opponent.

Everybody's got a weakness, even the seemingly unbeatable Man of Steel. Learn your opponents', and you can be the most feared man on the planet. Also, always carry kryptonite.

13. Make your own luck.

Head's, I win. Tails, you lose. Life can sure seem like a 50/50 proposition every now and then. Don't like what you got when you flipped a coin? Flip it again.

14. Remember: The joke's on you.

That guy with the cackle, the makeup, the cockeyed walk and sideways glance? He wouldn't have to point out life's absurdities so much if you would just crack a smile every once in a while. You're a man in a Batsuit! Even a psychotic, homicidal, nihilistic, anarchistic clown has it right every once in a while: Life is an absurd joke that will knock you dead. Why so serious?

15. Be prepared ... for anything.

You never know when you're going to be dangling from a helicopter as a shark bites your leg. Do you really want to be the one to tell the Dark Knight that you left the Anti-Shark Batspray at home? A utility belt: Learn it, live it, love it.

16. Look to the skies.

Someone, somewhere might be trying to signal you. Be on the lookout for his signs.

17. Embrace your fear.

Monsters are real, evil exists and, at every turn, there really are creepy little nasties ready to go bump in the night. At its best, life is still a terrifying journey. It's OK to be scared. Face your fears and project them outward. You'll be surprised at how many things are frightened by us right back.

18. Forgive, but don't forget.

We're all products of our environment. What leads one to seek vengeance leads another to seek destruction. The villains we face in life really aren't that different from us after all, give or take a lucky break here or a tragedy there. Have pity. Let them live. Don't become what you seek to end. But, by the same token, never forget who they are — and what they've done to you.

19. The greatest enemy you face is yourself.

Stare into the abyss long enough, and the abyss stares right back. The Joker? The Penguin? Two-Face? Catwoman? The horrors of the outside world can never hurt you as much as you can hurt yourself; a pain that can lead to self-destruction if you let it. Cultivate an inner-strength.

20. The night is darkest before the dawn.

The universe can be pretty brutal — a collection of accidents in a very busy place. But out of the greatest tragedies can come the greatest beauties. Without the night, there'd be no sunrise. Without bad things, there'd be no reason for hope. Without death, there can be no rebirth. Seek to bring the dawn.

My New Motto

Pain is simply weakness leaving the body.

Tiger Woods Is The Truth!

Quote

Do what you got to do so that you can do what you want to do. And fail big.

Would You...

Blow up your house just to kill a roach?

One of my favorite Boondocks episodes.....

My First Home....

You know the purchase of my first home was controversial on a number of fronts. There are a lot of misconceptions about the purchase, so I figured it was time to tell my story.

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The most complex purchase decision that I have made to date is the purchase of my first home. So for this exercise, it is only fitting that I trace this complex purchase from inception to today. The reason being is that the process completely changed my life in a multitude of ways. Through the process of this complex purchase, I became a better businessperson, a better man, and developed a larger understanding of personal and business relationships. (This was the first time that I understood that achieving your dreams can make other people feel uncomfortable. I guess it would have helped if I would have purchased a typical starter home. Oops! Yes, I do tend to think and act big!) Purchasing a home was daunting enough without the extra variables that are inevitable when dealing with a purchase of this magnitude. It became infinitely more complex because what started as a decision that I need more space turned into a project that consumed most of my time in 2005, as the opportunity presented itself for me to build my own home.

There were several levels of need recognition that facilitated the first steps in purchasing my first home. The first was obviously a need for additional space. I was living in a one bedroom apartment that did not have central air conditioning or central heat. I had lived there for seven years and had outgrown the apartment in terms of space. So more space became imperative as I felt cramped and very uncomfortable. It was costing me extra money to rent storage space and to keep belongings in other locations. Another level of need recognition was to do something that was solely for myself. I needed to make a decision that was solely based on what I wanted, not what my parents thought, or anyone else for that matter.

The process of the information search started with a letter that I received from a mortgage broker advertising his services. I called him and we had a conversation about the overall process and I got pre-qualified for a specific dollar amount. He referred me to a real estate agent that could guide me through the process and we set up a meeting to discuss my requirements for a home. The real estate agent that I was referred to had 20 years of experience selling real estate. This was essential because as a first time home buyer, I needed guidance to successfully navigate the overall process. So in our initial meeting, I articulated my basic requirements which were additional space and a house that was not a fixer upper. Other requirements were that I wanted room to grow and that I wanted a newer house with more of a modern architecture. Personally, I have a thing for uniqueness as I like to be different from everyone else in my approach to life. I also had a vision of building my own home, but I did not think that it would be feasible because of the time and cost factors associated with building a home.

So we moved to the evaluation of alternatives, where my real estate agent and I started to look at houses. The problem that we encountered during this process was that it was a seller's market. Which meant I did not have a lot of leverage in negotiating the terms that I needed for my purchase. In addition, there was a bidding war for most of these houses that were on the market. My real estate agent was helpful in this case, by leveraging her extensive relationships to establish viable housing alternatives. However, the houses that were acquirable were not kept up and posed additional problems that were hidden in nature. One of the major problems that I faced during this process is that I did not have the money for closing costs. This is where my real estate agent got creative in presenting a solution that would meet everyone's requirements. (Probably, because she wanted the sale, and I was threatening to buy in Atlanta, where I could purchase my home for a significant cost savings.)

Hence, I was presented with the option of partnering with a local builder to build my first home. My real estate agent had a relationship with the builder's real estate agent which made the deal possible. The builder took care of the zoning approvals and the land. In turn, I secured the financing and provided the specifications of what I wanted. This made the purchase decision a virtual no-brainer. The contracts were drawn up and executed on both sides with the earnest deposit being provided by myself. This facilitated the building process which took six months to complete the house. Until closing there was not much in the way of purchase decisions.

There was significant postpurchase behavior decisions that had to be made. The builder offered a one year warranty to fix any defects in the house. So, I worked with the builder for that year to fix defects in the house. Most were natural as the house needed to settle before any of the defects could be fixed. Such defects included nail pops, sewer backup, minor dishwasher issues, etc. Overall, I was satisfied with my purchase, but I understood that there was a lot of work that needed to be done to turn the house into a home.

Did I experience cognitive dissonance? Yes! Assuming that we defining the term as buyer discomfort caused by postpurchase conflict. (There is also the psychological definition which is a psychological state that describes the uncomfortable feeling between what one holds to be true and what one knows to be true.) Personally, I experienced both when making this purchase. Currently, there are houses that I past each day while driving that I think that are architecturally better. I have to remind myself that my house is beautiful and that I need to work diligently in order to make that house my home. In addition, there are drawbacks to the builder that utilized and building in Maryland in general. I had not anticipated purchasing my own washer and dryer after closing was completed. I wanted to finish the basement, but did not have the funds to finish the basement the way that I envisioned. So those were compromises that I had to make in order to move forward. Plus as I the house continues to "settle" I see decisions that I want to make in terms of decorating and future remodeling. That does not include the fact that the house was a daunting purchase, that I was not sure that I could maintain on my own. Psychologically, this is where I experienced that form of cognitive dissonance. Especially, when it came to the terms of my loan and other features of the house. I had a feeling that everyone could do better than what they were doing. But as I hard as I pushed, I could not reconcile the two. So I conceded. Now I am refinancing and preparing to make changes in my house to my house to get it more to my liking. Then again, I figured that I was up for a challenge. The saga continues...

Another Banned BET Episode Clip

The Boondocks: "Hunger Strike" clip(from banned episod

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Another Banned BET Episode Clip

Boondocks - Hunger Strike (Banned) | Videos > HipHopDX.com

Boondocks "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show" preview

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Marketing Treatise for Park Place/Gameofficial.com

The small business that we are going to analyze for this exercise is Park Place Studios. Park Place Studios is a private recording and audio production facility that specializes in Rap, Rhythm and Blues (R&B), Jazz, and Soul music. There have been projects that venture outside of their primary concentration, but the aforementioned genres are their principal focus. Park Place Studios has been in business since 1999, where it was founded in a small apartment in Riverdale, Maryland. The business has recently completed the first phase of its expansion into a larger studio space. It is now located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland in a private facility that exemplifies the comforts of home while recording. The vision of this facility is to provide a comfortable place for artists to be creative to express themselves in order to change the world with their works of art.

Arrangements were made to interview the owner, Samson Dixon, during the month of February. Samson Dixon also serves as the chief engineer, musician, and producer within the Park Place organization. The opportunity was granted to observe the physical environment of the studio on several occasions in order to complete this analysis. On the first occasion, an actual studio session was observed as part of the interview process. Several notes were taken as to the progress of the session and the business that took place. The client for the session was Avail, an up and coming urban clothing company. They were completing a recording with an independent rap artist who is based out of the Washington, D.C. area. This artist was contributing a song as part of the launch of their inaugural clothing line. During the recording session, interactions between Park Place staff and the client were observed carefully. Notes were taken to determine the approach utilized for client relations and overall customer treatment.

There were two other occasions in the physical environment of the studio was observed. These were the occasions in which multiple interviews of the owner Samson Dixon were conducted. During these interviews a complete picture of the organization was provided that included the organization’s history and its success and failures. The physical recording facility is comprised of three rooms: Studio A, Studio B, and a vocal room to record vocals and other instrumental overdubs. Studio A is utilized primarily for all of the recording sessions and Studio B is used for pre-production and for BCDR (Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery) services. The advent of technology in the recording process makes BCDR an important of studio operations. It was pointed out during the interview process that equipment often malfunctions for various reasons. These malfunctions can occur during crucial junctures of recording sessions and workarounds must be figured out instantaneously in order to maintain the continuity of the session. BCDR services are crucial to this operation because if a particular piece of equipment is malfunctioning then it often has to be switched out at a moment’s notice. In addition to the physical recording facility, there is a separate space for the corporate office. The corporate office contains the business records and other pertinent marketing materials (business cards, pamphlets, etc.) required to advance the business of the organization.

Park Place Studios is incorporated as a limited liability company in the state of Maryland. The incorporation serves as the foundation of the organization’s business structure in which other elements are built upon. This includes the organization's internal environment, which is a small but efficient environment in order minimize expenses and maximize profitability. It is composed of two salaried employees, numerous interns that are critical to relieve excess workload requirements, and contractors that provide the critical advertising, marketing, legal, business, and other outside musician and engineering requirements necessary to achieve success and maintain viability. These elements within the organization are organized in a top-down approach to establish a positive corporate culture, which is conducive to proper employee behavior. The management style exhibited is a progressive one, empowering employees to make many of their own decisions within established guidance and direction. Changes in philosophy and/or leadership style are under the control of the owner.

Park Place Studios has expanded to become an organization with a diverse product offering. They currently provide the following distinct services:

1. Recording Studio Services - Use of the studio complete with a highly skilled audio engineer. The base price of the studio rental is $40 per hour. Equipment rentals and musician services are available to the client at an additional cost.

2. Music Production Services – This includes the services of Park Place’s music production team, which is inclusive of music composition and programming. The base price of a Park Place production is $1500 per song. Upon completion of the said tasks, the artist is presented with the finalized music track.

3. Artist Management and Development – Inclusive of comprehensive career planning services, handling of complex contract negotiations. Park Place Studios is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the artist portfolio including voice sessions, training, scheduling and travel for appearances, choreography, music development, artist short tern and strategic financial planning. The cost for these services is presented as two options: 1.) 20 percent is taken from the artists’ earnings or 2.) A consulting fee of $70 per hour for services rendered.

4. Gameofficial.com – This sector of the company is the distribution arm in charge of managing music releases and go-to-market items via online music vendors and traditional retail outlets. Gameofficial.com takes 50 percent of revenues generated and passes the other 50 percent to the artist, making the situation a joint venture.
Park Place Studios differentiates itself from its competitors by providing all services in one physical location, with quality-trained staff at an economical price for both the company and artist clientele. Its competition is defined as any recording studio or urban production company independent or major that provides audio production services. The customer population that Park Place Studios markets its services is the up and coming recording artist who has a vision of establishing a recording career. This population segment is not limited to a particular age demographic. However, there is some market analysis required for Park Place’s services where payment is not an upfront fee, but a percentage of earned revenue. In these situations, it is important for Park Place to conduct a market analysis and a feasibility study to determine whether a particular situation is viable for investment. The reason being is that as a small business, there are time constraints for Park Place resources. These constraints make it imperative for Park Place to be prudent in participating in any artist situations that prevent Park Place Studio from maintaining profitability. Park Place’s prudence allows it to maintain flexibility combined with the required attention to detail that is paramount to positioning itself to meet, beat, and exceed the competition.

The primary marketing strategy utilized to appeal to the desired customer population is strategic ad placements in prominent publications on the street and the Internet. Example websites and publications include the Washington City Paper, Yellow Pages, and Craigslist but are not simply limited to these outlets. These are outlets that allow Park Place Studios to develop a consumer base from scratch without a track record to fall back on. However, the most successful forms of marketing for Park Place Studios has been word of mouth from successful clients and strategic product placement. Successful projects such as the recently released album from L!ssen on a prominent independent record label have made a significant contribution to the consumer base of Park Place Studios. The use of social networking sites such as Myspace.com and Blackplanet.com have been instrumental in providing a repository for prospective clients to preview sample works before establishing a business relationship. Future marketing strategies to be employed are participation in key tastemaker events for our customer population. These events include the Dynamic Producer Conference, NBA All-Star Weekend, The Grammy Awards, and the Winter Music Conference. Participation is critical because it affords Park Place Studios with the opportunity to interact with prospective clients from all parts of the world. These clients have the resources to facilitate recording project on both the independent and major record label level that is crucial for record label growth. Another future marketing strategy is product name branding on Park Place recording productions and at shows which some aspect of Park Place is an active participant. This strategy is critical because marketing is a reinforcement exercise in order to stay on the mind of the customer population. Continual reinforcement is required to maintain a competitive edge over the competition.

Park Place Studios employs the number one rule in customer service, “The customer is always right!” in developing and maintaining good customer relations. As part of the interview process, it was observed that the session was structured for complete catering to the client. This does mean that the engineer was completely subservient, but if there was a case where constructive criticism needed to be levied or boundaries needed to be enforced, then the resolution was performed in a manner where complete respect and session integrity was maintained. It was observed that control of the recording session and expert knowledge is required as part of the customer relations process’ for the client to be comfortable with the overall result of the recording session. Maintaining quality customer relations is critical for Park Place Studios to maintain a competitive edge over the competition that has grown to be vast in today’s marketplace.

During our interview we had an opportunity to discuss the various publics that affect Park Place’s ability to achieve its objectives. It was acknowledged that although financial publics were not involved in the inception of the organization, it would be required to facilitate future growth. The reason being that increased competition has cut into revenues that come from the studio operations. This competition comes the development of technology that has reduced the entry cost of developing a recording studio and establishing recording projects. As a result, artists are feeling empowered to develop their own studios to save money and maximize time and convenience. These challenges have forced Park Place to establish a diverse product offering in order to maintain a consistent stream of revenue. But the diversification comes with a significant cost to Park Place Studios. Which is why the greatest marketing challenge as seen from the owner’s perspective is establishing value in the eyes of the financial publics in order to acquire the necessary funds in order to complete expansion. This involves translating the creative endeavors of Park Place Studios into documented financial statements that can be effectively communicated to the financial institutions in order sustain funding.

In conclusion, the key thing that I learned from my visit to Park Place Studios is that Park Place Studios is an organization that successful, but still has room for tremendous growth. There are strengths and weaknesses were observed in Park Place’s operations that pose a direct challenge to the organization’s growth. How this organization facilitates this growth will ultimately determine whether it elevates itself into an American institution or succumbs under the pressure of immense competition. It should be an interesting journey to watch, observe, and document for the future.