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'The Man' - Media Industries

Taylor Swift’s career illustrates power struggles between artists and record labels, the importance of branding, and how artists influence industry standards and marketing strategies.

Taylor Swift and the industry

Taylor Swift and the industry

  • Swift signed a songwriting deal with Sony in 2004.
  • She then signed a recording contract with Big Machine Records in 2005.
  • She moved to Republic Records in 2018.
  • 'The Man' comes from the Lover (2019) album, released under Republic Records.
  • After her dispute with Big Machine Records, Swift began re-recording her first six albums (“Taylor’s Version”).
    • This demonstrates issues of ownership, copyright, and artist autonomy in the music industry.
Promotion & media convergence

Promotion & media convergence

  • Swift’s website links directly to her social media, creating a convergent promotional system.
  • Website advertises:
    • New releases (e.g. Speak Now (Taylor’s Version))
    • Merchandise for global audiences
    • Tour dates, including The Eras Tour (2023)
  • 'The Man' video teaser, fan Q&A, and hashtag campaigns show cross-platform promotion.
Production techniques & creative control

Production techniques & creative control

  • 'The Man' showcases high-budget production values.
  • Swift was transformed using:
    • Prosthetic make-up
    • A muscle suit
    • Facial sculptures (applied for 4–6 hours per filming day)
  • Behind-the-scenes footage reveals:
    • The labour behind her transformation
    • Swift’s dual role as writer and director
  • This highlights Swift as a multi-hyphenate artist with significant creative control.
Branding and industry recognition

Branding and industry recognition

  • In 2019, Swift became the first-ever recipient of Billboard’s “Woman of the Decade” Award.
  • This reinforces her brand as:
    • A successful female artist
    • A powerful figure in the music industry
    • An advocate for women’s rights and artist ownership
Media convergence: Miss Americana

Media convergence: Miss Americana

  • Miss Americana (2020), released on Netflix, is a career-spanning documentary.
  • It allows Swift to reach:
    • Global streaming audiences
    • Viewers who may not listen to her music
  • It promotes her image, values, and albums.
  • The documentary illustrates synergy and media convergence between music, film, and streaming platforms.
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Overview

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Component 1: Section A

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Component 1: Section B

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Component 2: Section A

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Component 2: Section B

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