Music Video Purposes Analysis Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA

Comment on the following aspects in relation to PURPOSES and BENIFITS for artist/band and target audience

Megan Hughes Provide an explanation in relation to benefits (promotion, extension of income & outlets, synergy opportunities and strategies used by producers to benefit label and artist)

Provide any research evidence you can find that supports explanations of benefits for artist, record label and audience

Promotional There are two different record labels for this song, both are American, called: Asylum and Atlantic. Ed Sheeran seems to use both these record labels for all his songs which proves they’re good within the money making industry. Producers used their promoting skills to advertise and raise awareness about Ed’s song ‘Thinking Out Loud’ which makes more money for the team as various businesses will be promoting it globally increasing the amount of fans. Not only does it benefit Ed but it also benefits the record labels Asylum and Atlantic for signing the album by giving them a higher demand and income rate.

The ‘Thinking Out Loud’ single hit the top of iTunes chart almost immediately.

Extension of income The rate of income received from the music video ‘Thinking Out Loud’ after the costs of actually producing and distributing it were said to be ‘sky high’. The video itself builds an audience via viewers that have heard about it from: ads, radio and social media – therefore, this increases the amount of money being made. The song was released on 24th September and still, now on the 10th February – many radio stations such as Capital FM play it

Music Video Purposes Analysis Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

each day without fail because it’s still in the top 40 UK charts showing the amount of attention and fans the single gets. To extend on income further… Items such as merchandise, films and books have been made on behalf of this album which increases the income even more because fans who want to be involved with everything related to the album will purchase it all to show their loyalty and interest. Overall this benefits the artist (Ed Sheeran) because he’s not only getting a great deal of financial income, he’s also developing a large fan base which gives him lots of attention and publicity.

Extension of outlets Outlets are extensive for the popular song artist Ed Sheeran. Not only does he keep his fans on their toes with his Facebook updates, Twitter updates, Instagram updates, YouTube updates and more within the social media… He has also released many albums, books and is promoting lots of book signings and concerts and appearances at festivals to keep his fans updated on what’s next on his journey. It was said on the news that his gig at Wembley Stadium, London sold out in under half an hour which shows the popularity in the music industry. Ed’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ single was

Music Video Purposes Analysis Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

launched and made number 1 on the ITunes top hits in the same day. Personally, I don’t think there’s anything that Ed Sheeran hasn’t done to try and maximize his popularity and make his fans happy… He shows that he genuinely wants to please people so he goes to such long lengths to release enough for his fans to indulge themselves with.

Music Video Purposes Analysis Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Synergy Ed benefits from the financial and the public side of things, he wins no matter what. Due to this, his producers and directors, etc., are also in a comfortable position financially because they’re the reason Ed’s being shared with everyone else – Ed makes the music and they show it to the world… So they’re appreciated a great deal and rake in a large amount of supporters because fans love what they’re seeing. Overall it’s safe to say that each of the companies working alongside Ed in the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ music video will develop a good reputation as it turned out so good and got all positive feedback from other artists, fans and the media. Following on from this, the company that distributed the music video could end up in contact with other famous artists because they love the way Ed’s song turned out and they want there’s to be just as good so everybody benefits.

Behind the scenes with production:

Producers strategies Online I read ‘When he’s not recording his own songs, Ed is busy writing for other people, most famously Taylor Swift and One Direction - and now the red-haired crooner reckons he’s in a ‘fortunate position’ to help new musicians.’ ... Ed Sheeran wants to be his own record label! He is promoted thoroughly through social media, his music is magic and he doesn’t most things alone in his head (he’s that good) so why not be your own record label as well. Ed is a natural talent, he taught himself how to sing and play the guitar and now he has the determination to teach others as well.

Music Video Purposes Analysis Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Producers and directors are all part of the process, so with them advertising Ed’s own record label… They’re bound to make a massive wedge of money. The structure of it would be easier for Ed, he would only have to please himself and live up to his own expectations. I think Ed over the years has proved how independent he can be, he doesn’t need lots of people doing things for him because he can make it happen himself.