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Simone Pierce-Harding
Market Research Director
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) became the only stand-alone music company to be publicly traded in the United States in May 2005. With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Lava, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros., and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire, operates through numerous international affiliates and licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.
Warner Music Group Market Research Director Simone Pierce-Harding finds NPD data to be an extremely valuable resource to have in her intelligence arsenal. “We’re living in a time and space where the traditional music business model is being flipped on its head, and there are new consumer behaviors, outlets, and business models popping up almost everyday. While our industry has always prided itself on its savvy, NPD’s market information gives us the empirical data to inform our decisions,” said Pierce-Harding. "I consider it to be an investment in our company’s future.”
Pierce-Harding notes NPD’s ability to evolve its products and services to meet music industry clients’ changing needs. “The emergence of new product categories, such as digital downloads, streaming/social media, and ringtones, has in many ways redefined our business over the last few years, and NPD has adapted its music-related offerings accordingly. The information that we receive from NPD has helped us gain valuable insights into the ever-changing landscape – a huge benefit in terms of identifying and capitalizing on the various opportunities that this dynamic marketplace presents.” Additionally, Pierce-Harding commented, “WMG really values NPD’s integrity, sound methodologies, transparency, and above-the-board answers with respect to any concerns that may arise.”
In this time of sweeping change in the music industry, client service has been an important component of the WMG-NPD relationship. “The level of attention we receive is like what one might expect from a small shop, not from such a large, internationally-renowned company. Even in today’s digital world, this is an intangible not to be taken lightly. Combine this with NPD’s research expertise and dedication to the highest research standards, and you’ve got a great company to work with,” she said.
For more information about how NPD information and insight can help you build your business, contact Charlie Camaroto at 866-444-1411 (contactnpd@npd.com).