The Beatles:
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Ringo Starr had a little help from his friends as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The mop-topped drummer who kept the beat for The Beatles humbly received the award from his band mate, Paul McCartney. When asked about Starr McCartney replied: “ It's great. It's the completion. Now the four of us are in as a band, and as individuals. It would have been a shame if he hadn't been in, right?"
Ringo Starr has finally earned his rightful place in rock ‘n’ roll immortality. On Saturday, April 18, the former Beatles drummer was inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Ringo is the last member of the Beatles to be inducted as a solo member. The Beatles drummer was recognized as “one of the greatest and most creative drummers” in the music history. Though the Hall of Fame previously recognized him with his band mates when the Beatles were inducted in 1988, this marked his much-awaited accreditation as a solo artist. Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow was also in attendance for the event. She said that Ringo had the nicest personality out of the Fab Four, and he is the most influential member of the group. Ringo Starr was always the fourth Beatle, but now he’s been commemorated as the man who held the band together. |
The Beatles’ One Million-Member PR Team
By Endya Watson
I’m willing to take a bet that no Beatles fan in this world has ever said the words “yeah, the Beatles are pretty good.”
Why?
Because Beatles fans live and die by the Beatles. They are listeners, they are experts, they are promoters, they are advocates, and ultimately, they are the public relations representatives for their favorite band.
Today, the Beatles’ public relations strategy still reins as the band has more than one million pr representatives across the world: the network that makes up their fan base. These brand ambassadors, or, people that promote the messages and images of a particular brand, have kept the Beatles pr strategy alive.
One example is the variety of Beatles memorabilia museums, shops and stores around the world that commemorate the band.
One of these museums is The Beatles Story located in Liverpool, UK. I had the opportunity to speak with Dave Milner, Sales and Administrative Assistant at The Beatles Story about how the band has stayed relevant for so long.
“The attraction is interesting to people because it is more than just a museum,” Milner said. “It is the story about how the Beatles rose to fame to become the greatest band of all time – from their Liverpool childhood, through the early days of the band, to world domination and on to their solo careers.”
The element of storytelling is what public relations is all about. Today’s Beatles pr reps are those that work in museums like The Beatles Story and display images, messages and props about their best client.
According to Milner, various owners from across the world had donated many of the memorabilia items at The Beatles Story. These people, whether directly associated with the Beatles or not, act as brand ambassadors for the band. They have created a network of people who own and exchange Beatles items to advocate for the band, and energize a nation that still holds on to their music.
And, speaking of nation, it is even possible for fans to be further ambassadors with “Beatles Nation,” a worldwide fan base celebrating “the greatest band of all time.”
It is a strong public relations strategy to begin with that led the Beatles to this point. Creating a strategy that has been carried on for decades is a pr move as legendary as the band.
By Endya Watson
I’m willing to take a bet that no Beatles fan in this world has ever said the words “yeah, the Beatles are pretty good.”
Why?
Because Beatles fans live and die by the Beatles. They are listeners, they are experts, they are promoters, they are advocates, and ultimately, they are the public relations representatives for their favorite band.
Today, the Beatles’ public relations strategy still reins as the band has more than one million pr representatives across the world: the network that makes up their fan base. These brand ambassadors, or, people that promote the messages and images of a particular brand, have kept the Beatles pr strategy alive.
One example is the variety of Beatles memorabilia museums, shops and stores around the world that commemorate the band.
One of these museums is The Beatles Story located in Liverpool, UK. I had the opportunity to speak with Dave Milner, Sales and Administrative Assistant at The Beatles Story about how the band has stayed relevant for so long.
“The attraction is interesting to people because it is more than just a museum,” Milner said. “It is the story about how the Beatles rose to fame to become the greatest band of all time – from their Liverpool childhood, through the early days of the band, to world domination and on to their solo careers.”
The element of storytelling is what public relations is all about. Today’s Beatles pr reps are those that work in museums like The Beatles Story and display images, messages and props about their best client.
According to Milner, various owners from across the world had donated many of the memorabilia items at The Beatles Story. These people, whether directly associated with the Beatles or not, act as brand ambassadors for the band. They have created a network of people who own and exchange Beatles items to advocate for the band, and energize a nation that still holds on to their music.
And, speaking of nation, it is even possible for fans to be further ambassadors with “Beatles Nation,” a worldwide fan base celebrating “the greatest band of all time.”
It is a strong public relations strategy to begin with that led the Beatles to this point. Creating a strategy that has been carried on for decades is a pr move as legendary as the band.
Advertising for Music Now and Then
By Maysson Smith
The Beatles didn’t necessarily rely on advertising to get their music out there. Word of mouth was a key player in their popularity here in the United States. Here for an interview on the advertising techniques of the music industry now and in the 60s with Wendy Wardell, an advertising professor at Kent State University.
What would you say the best tactics are for branding in the music industry?
“It’s not so different from brand advertising. Bands are like brands—they want to try to reach as many people as possible. Bands and artists are more viral, so once they have a following they try to expand it with word of mouth.“
Is word of mouth more effective than advertising?
“Probably, considering music is so personal. It is an adoption curve. Starting with trendsetters, it just grows into a groundswell of popularity where the laggards are coming on strong and it becomes the “in” thing to do. Today, social media is a huge player in the popularity of bands and musicians.”
What would you say are the major differences in advertising from the UK to US in the music industry?
“The major difference is regulations around what you can and can’t say or show. Stereotypical language is a big one. What could be considered offensive in the United States could be accepted in the UK. The UK is more diverse. Running the same thing in both places is very difficult considering that nudity, language, and sexual reference all range with the cultures.”
Do you believe advertising was a major contributor for the Beatles when they came to the US?
“I don’t believe they were doing a lot of advertising in music at that point. It was basically relying on the radio stations to play their music. Most of what was happening in the 1960s was that the music was played on the radio and then people listened and got excited. It was a different time back then so you needed to go to the radio station and sell your music. The more times it was played, the more people heard it and the bigger outreach you had.”
Today, it is much easier to get the word out about music. We have the Internet and of course social media. With everything pretty much in your face, there’s no avoiding it when a song or video goes viral. The Beatles had none of this and they became one of the most recognized bands worldwide! The Beatles created an insane following with only their good music word of mouth. There is something special to be said for a band who can make that happen.
By Maysson Smith
The Beatles didn’t necessarily rely on advertising to get their music out there. Word of mouth was a key player in their popularity here in the United States. Here for an interview on the advertising techniques of the music industry now and in the 60s with Wendy Wardell, an advertising professor at Kent State University.
What would you say the best tactics are for branding in the music industry?
“It’s not so different from brand advertising. Bands are like brands—they want to try to reach as many people as possible. Bands and artists are more viral, so once they have a following they try to expand it with word of mouth.“
Is word of mouth more effective than advertising?
“Probably, considering music is so personal. It is an adoption curve. Starting with trendsetters, it just grows into a groundswell of popularity where the laggards are coming on strong and it becomes the “in” thing to do. Today, social media is a huge player in the popularity of bands and musicians.”
What would you say are the major differences in advertising from the UK to US in the music industry?
“The major difference is regulations around what you can and can’t say or show. Stereotypical language is a big one. What could be considered offensive in the United States could be accepted in the UK. The UK is more diverse. Running the same thing in both places is very difficult considering that nudity, language, and sexual reference all range with the cultures.”
Do you believe advertising was a major contributor for the Beatles when they came to the US?
“I don’t believe they were doing a lot of advertising in music at that point. It was basically relying on the radio stations to play their music. Most of what was happening in the 1960s was that the music was played on the radio and then people listened and got excited. It was a different time back then so you needed to go to the radio station and sell your music. The more times it was played, the more people heard it and the bigger outreach you had.”
Today, it is much easier to get the word out about music. We have the Internet and of course social media. With everything pretty much in your face, there’s no avoiding it when a song or video goes viral. The Beatles had none of this and they became one of the most recognized bands worldwide! The Beatles created an insane following with only their good music word of mouth. There is something special to be said for a band who can make that happen.
Culture Counts: How The Beatles’ Advertisements Reflect 1960s Culture in the United States and England
By Endya Watson
With The Beatle’s transition from England to the United States in the 1960s, there were surly adjustments to the way the band advertised its concerts to the new audience. As with advertising today, the cultural and social atmosphere in the time period for England and the US undoubtedly influenced public attitude, and, therefore, would have an impact on best practices for advertising. So, what about the 60s may have influenced how advertisements were designed? We took a look at Beatles concert posters from England and the US in the era to compare.
England
The culture of England in the 60s can be described in four words: happy happy joy joy. A phenomena know as “Swinging Sixties” hit the country in the wake of the post World War II era. “Swinging Sixties” was a youth-oriented cultural revolution characterized by everything new, everything modern and everything optimistic. The Beatles’ sound was popular in the atmosphere, and their advertisement’s reflected the exciting shift in culture. Ads were flooded with a mix of vibrant colors and distinct, eye-catching text.
Specifically, color and text emulated a movement we know quite well. In the later part of the 60s, England saw a rise in hippie lifestyle. This lifestyle had been run by a generation not plagued by war, and enthused by the thrill of protest and the pleasure of personal freedom. Beatles advertisements in the city spoke to this culture, with use contrasting colors that, in a structured design, don’t necessarily match; and varying fonts that “break the rules” in terms of clean design.
By Endya Watson
With The Beatle’s transition from England to the United States in the 1960s, there were surly adjustments to the way the band advertised its concerts to the new audience. As with advertising today, the cultural and social atmosphere in the time period for England and the US undoubtedly influenced public attitude, and, therefore, would have an impact on best practices for advertising. So, what about the 60s may have influenced how advertisements were designed? We took a look at Beatles concert posters from England and the US in the era to compare.
England
The culture of England in the 60s can be described in four words: happy happy joy joy. A phenomena know as “Swinging Sixties” hit the country in the wake of the post World War II era. “Swinging Sixties” was a youth-oriented cultural revolution characterized by everything new, everything modern and everything optimistic. The Beatles’ sound was popular in the atmosphere, and their advertisement’s reflected the exciting shift in culture. Ads were flooded with a mix of vibrant colors and distinct, eye-catching text.
Specifically, color and text emulated a movement we know quite well. In the later part of the 60s, England saw a rise in hippie lifestyle. This lifestyle had been run by a generation not plagued by war, and enthused by the thrill of protest and the pleasure of personal freedom. Beatles advertisements in the city spoke to this culture, with use contrasting colors that, in a structured design, don’t necessarily match; and varying fonts that “break the rules” in terms of clean design.
The United States
The first US concert posters for the Beatles were three things: crisp, simple and structured. The 60s in the US was a time period reminiscent of this design—it was the rise of Cold War politics, the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. All of these significantly affected American society and culture. Perhaps the simplicity of the advertisement echoed the somber environment Americans were facing.
It is also significant to note the use of color in the advertisement: red and white. Even the photo of the Beatles is in a red tint. At a time where pride and investment in the country were particularly important, it seems to be no surprise that the advertisement uses signature colors of the U S of A.
One key thing that changed in The Beatles’ concert advertisements from England to the US was the use of photos. Because the band was just being introduced to the country, the use of their picture was an important marketing tactic. Conversely, using the text “The Beatles” without a photo of the band was consistent among advertisements in England where the band already had a following.
The first US concert posters for the Beatles were three things: crisp, simple and structured. The 60s in the US was a time period reminiscent of this design—it was the rise of Cold War politics, the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. All of these significantly affected American society and culture. Perhaps the simplicity of the advertisement echoed the somber environment Americans were facing.
It is also significant to note the use of color in the advertisement: red and white. Even the photo of the Beatles is in a red tint. At a time where pride and investment in the country were particularly important, it seems to be no surprise that the advertisement uses signature colors of the U S of A.
One key thing that changed in The Beatles’ concert advertisements from England to the US was the use of photos. Because the band was just being introduced to the country, the use of their picture was an important marketing tactic. Conversely, using the text “The Beatles” without a photo of the band was consistent among advertisements in England where the band already had a following.
For A Little History...
Check out our YouTube video on our See and Hear page!
And for more info check out our Prezi!
Check out our YouTube video on our See and Hear page!
And for more info check out our Prezi!
Quotes to hang on to:
"In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make."
- Paul McCartney
"You have to be a bastard to make it, and that's a fact."
- John Lennon
" A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality"
- John Lennon
"When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there"
- George Harrison
“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”
- John Lennon
"I think people who truly can live a life in music are telling the world, 'You can have my love, you can have my smiles. Forget the bad parts, you don't need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it's the very best, and it's the part I give most willingly'"
-George Harrison
"The things is, we're all really the same person. We're just four parts of the one."
-Paul McCartney
“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.”
- John Lennon
"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."
- George Harrison
"In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make."
- Paul McCartney
"You have to be a bastard to make it, and that's a fact."
- John Lennon
" A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality"
- John Lennon
"When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there"
- George Harrison
“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”
- John Lennon
"I think people who truly can live a life in music are telling the world, 'You can have my love, you can have my smiles. Forget the bad parts, you don't need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it's the very best, and it's the part I give most willingly'"
-George Harrison
"The things is, we're all really the same person. We're just four parts of the one."
-Paul McCartney
“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.”
- John Lennon
"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."
- George Harrison