Leslie M. Meier is Lecturer in Media and Communication at the University of Leeds. Her research examines the music and cultural industries, advertising, marketing and promotional culture, and consumer culture inside contemporary capitalism.
This is a truly excellent book. Based on a wealth of original research, including interviews with music and brand personnel, plus analysis of trade magazines and conventions, it makes a powerful argument about the way popular music has become subsumed under branding and advertising. Important. Jason Toynbee, formerly of The Open University Leslie Meier asks hard questions about what music is for, at a time when corporate brands own, produce and distribute what we listen to. Her analysis of contemporary licensing, digital marketing and artist-brands brings new depth and subtlety to the ongoing tensions between art and commerce. Popular Music as Promotion makes a valuable contribution to critical scholarship on our thoroughly promotional culture. Melissa Aronczyk, Rutgers University