The Long Game

Thank you to Slash and Betty White for reminding us to be cool and play the long game!

By now everyone has seen last week’s earnings highlights. The one that really caught my attention read “Goldman Pays Up for Talent, Sending Profits Down”. Huh? In 2021, Goldman reported record net earnings of $21.6 billion, more than double 2020 results of $9.5 billion, and more than double results in recent history, $8.5 billion in 2019, and $10.5 billion in 2018.

JP Morgan was hit with a similar headline, “Wells Fargo Up, JP Morgan Down”. This on 2021 net earnings of $48.3 billion, which soared 66% to 2020 results.

These onerous headlines were referring to quarterly changes. Goldman Q4 net earnings of $3.9 billion fell (27%) to Q3, and (13%) year over year. JP Morgan Q4 results of $10.4 billion fell (11%) to Q3 and (14%) year over year. This is important because long term capital appreciation demands a long term growth strategy. The problem is short-termism. CEO’s are under enormous pressure to deliver strong quarterly earnings reports and to distribute wealth rather than reinvest. Investors responded this time by sending shares of Goldman and JP Morgan down.

In a 2015 article I wrote, McKinsey’s Dominic Barton, BlackRock’s Laurence Fink, and Rodel CEO Bill Budinger intensified the debate on the short term approach, challenging leaders to play the long game.

I think Jamie Dimon got it right in his response to investors, “We will be competitive in pay. If that squeezes margins a little bit for shareholders, so be it.” Further, Mr. Dimon asserted that JP Morgan wouldn’t meet its longer-term target returns this year and maybe next year. I’d say that qualifies as playing the long game, as Laurence Fink’s 2015 letter to Fortune 500 CEOs urged.

While Wells Fargo is cutting costs, other banks with bigger Wall Street operations reported higher expenses, largely because investment banking and trading results have soared, with the demand for talent high. It has taken more than ten years for global markets volume to rebound since the near collapse of the world financial system in 2008 and 2009. This is welcome news not only for an industry forever changed by these events, but for New York City and State tax coffers. This will also help small business in the New York metro area, COVID notwithstanding, in a city metropolis plagued by increasing income disparity.

What else are the big banks investing in? The answer is technology. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) factor squarely in post trade settlement. Ongoing transformation in cloud operations, interconnection, communication services, payments, and enhanced data security are also garnering noteworthy investment.

Technology spend worldwide is projected to grow 5.5% in 2022 to $4.5 trillion. This follows a robust level of investment in 2021. As one example, investments in European tech firms soared to $93.3 billion last year, a record, and a 142% increase over the year before, according to CB Insights.

U.S. Banks are very focused on this. JP Morgan has instituted a technology in residence program and recruited McKinsey Partner Neha Gargi as their new Head of Global Technology Strategy.

Goldman is leaning forward as well with deep talent search. In Spring 2021, they reached out to me, having identified my trading technology FP&A background. I interviewed with a veteran new hire leading their technology efforts in their Americas Operations group. This person had an engineering and product background outside capital markets, most recently within the APAC region. I didn’t land the role but it really caught my attention, revealing the intensity of their strategic focus.

Where is this all leading? Utilizing the long game, I’m bullish on America and believe we can transform the U.S. economy and regain the top spot from China. But we need to get going on this.

In some related good news, mountains have moved on Capitol Hill with groundbreaking bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, with passage of the $250 billion U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, also known as the Endless Frontier Act. This week the U.S. House takes up this effort, largely seen as a critical and effective means to counter China’s technological ambitions.

So let’s get moving! What are your thoughts on this? I’d love to hear!

As always I’m reminded that nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain. Hmm, sounds like song lyrics. Enjoy!

Guns N’ Roses November Rain

Feature Photo courtesy of the IMGUR platform and the L.A. Zoo, on whose Board Slash sits, along with Betty White when she was still with us.

Please note Addendum links below to supporting articles.

Goldman Sachs Sees Profits Slips

Wells Fargo Up, JP Morgan Down

Cynthia 201 5 Article Long Term Capital Appreciation

Banks like JP Mo rgan: Inflation Is A Double Edged Sword

Gartner projecting $4.5 trillion Tech Spend

European Tech Scene

JP Morg an Technology In Residence

JP Mor gan hires new Head of Global Technology Strategy

Bipartisan Senat e Passes Bill To Boost China Competitiveness

U.S. House Take s Up China Competitiveness Bill

January 31, 2022 By Cynthia Drew In Economic Trends /

#NotInThisLifetime

If you had asked me this time a year ago, if Guns N’ Roses would ever get back together, I would have answered, “Not in this lifetime.” Perhaps I should have been playing closer attention. There were definite signs, but I just didn’t believe it. In a Renaissance period of my life, fueled by my passion for epic Rock&Roll, I am simply grateful they made this choice and I had the opportunity to immerse myself in all of it! Following the memorable debut Arena performance Friday night April 8, 2016 at Las Vegas’ brand new T Mobile Arena, Masterpiece Guns N’ Roses historic reunion. my insatiable appetite for this band, no pun intended, demanded two more performances at hometown New York City area 82,500 seat capacity Met Life Stadium on July 23rd and 24th, and finally on August 12th to the magnificent city of Seattle, Washington, nestled between a thriving sea port and the majestic domes of Mount Rainier, a metropolis steeped in rich music history, and the hometown of GN’R Bass Player Duff McKagan. I have never attended more than one live concert event in one single tour, not even for the Stones, Led Zeppelin, or Aerosmith. Perhaps the twenty year void of the iconic live trio ensemble of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan tugged at my heart strings. Perhaps the opportunity to experience the only true Rock&Roll band of my generation tugged even greater. Yes that sounds right. What about the fans? WOW! I have never seen such devotion from a fan base that spans continents. The final hook was the ensemble of new and old with the very athletic and masterful Rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus, the very cool and accessible Frank Ferrer, whose mastery of the drum kit keeps this band in precision timing, and the creative and melodic sound rising from the keyboards with long time member Dizzy Reed and GN’R’s newest member, the brilliantly coiffed Melissa Reese. As a pianist myself, inspired recently to make a new keyboard purchase, I love that this classic Rock&Roll band has evolved and strengthened the mastery of the musical experience beyond the beloved and traditional electric guitar.

Take me down to the Paradise City, where the grass is green and the rockers are gritty! In my Smartphone Blog post this month, I wrap up with a mesmerizing performance of Civil War, that opens with a young and very athletic Axl Rose adorned in a patriotic leather jacket with the words “REBEL” on the back. I am very purposeful in every media choice I make for my Blogs. Very athletic still at 54 years of age, young at heart, passionate, and completely on top of his game, Axl Rose personifies the Rock&Roll rebel heart that brings legions of fans around the world to blockbuster stadium performances, standing for hours in the pit, waving and swaying to the music .. “yeah yeauh “.

Slash, our beloved and very humble Top Hatted Rocker, face buried by a mass of gorgeous rocker curls, whose message to the world doesn’t come from his lips or face, but rather from epic Rock&Roll riffs that send fan emotions into the stratosphere, is simply the greatest guitar player ever to grace a musical stage!

Bass Player Duff McKagan’s first encounter with his friend Slash, took place at Canter’s Deli on North Fairfax in Los Angeles in 1983. A 19 year old Duff had just moved from Seattle and answered an ad Slash had placed looking for a bass player. The conversation logically flowed for more than two hours, simply talking about music. Ultimately they would go on to form the original lineup of Guns N’ Roses in 1985, then releasing their epic debut album Appetite for Destruction in 1987. In Seattle, Duff had been playing with bands since he was 14 years old. A versatile rocker who also played lead guitar and drums, he finally settled in with the Bass. In recent years, he has fronted as lead singer for the various projects he has led since the breakup of the original GN’R lineup. In this tour, he performed lead vocals duty with a gritty rendition of “New Rose”. Also a songwriter, the band opened this tour with “It’s So Easy” GN’R’s first single release from “Appetite For Destruction” in June 1987 in the UK, written by Duff and Wes Arkeen.

So of course, the July 23^rd and 24^th NYC area performances couldn’t come soon enough, following the April 8th performance in Vegas. A Kick A** Rock&Roll weekend start to finish, with my longtime best friend since the 8^th grade, the brilliant Robyn Bryson and her boyfriend Ron, the very cool David Paul, an innovative educator in the New York City school system, who hails from southern California, and a lovely new group of devoted GN’R fan friends Monni, Joe, Nevy, Joseph, Nir, Nick, and Margott. We kicked things off with a tailgate party in the parking lot before heading inside. This would be my first experience of an athletic and mobile Axl Rose since his seated and “throned” performance in Vegas, with his foot healed and free of the huge plaster cast! Live Nation delivered a terrific and well organized “Paradise City VIP” experience and my beloved rockers reinforced their commitment to their craft, this long awaited reunion tour, and their devoted followers. A very fit and athletic Lenny Kravitz opened the night and we never looked back! A month into their U.S. stadium tour, all the worry was gone, and we were all back in the groove of epic Rock&Roll masterpiece by this band of ferocious and legendary Rock talent!

Axl Rose and Duff McKagan Met Life Stadium July 23, 2016 photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Axl Rose July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Slash July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo Taken by Cynthia Drew

Duff McKagan July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Lenny Kravitz July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

In August 2015, I traveled to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market for a very unique concert experience and musical fundraiser. Seattle’s public radio station KEXP had managed to raise a whopping $12 million to build new studios at the Seattle Center, studios specifically designed to elevate the musical fan experience with live participation. WOW! I am so impressed by that. They held a free outdoor concert “Raw Power” on the roof, on a gorgeous summer evening overlooking the harbor, in a musical tribute to Iggy Pop, with four legendary Seattle rockers. Yes you guessed it, Duff McKagan on Bass, his “Walking Papers” band member Barrett Martin on Drums, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on the electric guitar, and singer Mark Arm from Mudhoney. Following the free concert, there was a VIP after party with these iconic rockers, KEXP management, and some influential local businessmen and women at top floor restaurant Matt’s In The Market. They ultimately reached their goal of $15 million and I am so proud to have played a small role in that. In keeping with the tradition of cool fan engagement this band promotes, I met a new Rock&Roll soul sister Jenn Iverson who, a year later, invited me to her lovely home on Lake Washington she shares with her husband Evan and their precious 3 year old daughter Edie, for the Guns N’ Roses August 12, 2016 Friday night performance at the 69,000 capacity Century Link Field. Life is an adventure and I plan to make the most of it! We began this adventure Thursday night at the iconic grunge bar “Linda’s Tavern”, the public place where Kurt Cobain was last seen alive, with yet another GN’R fan group pre party that brought in fans from across the U.S., Canada, and South America. The day of the concert, I decided to stroll around the Lake and amazingly I believe I caught a glimpse of Duff McKagan whizzing by on his bicycle in the early afternoon. An avid bicyclist, I’m guessing he was thrilled to be back at his hometown Lake home following two months of being on the road. Did I mention eldest daughter Grace, 19 years old in her sophomore year at Seattle U, and very talented lead singer of the Pink Slips, was set to open the night, along with Alice In Chains. Yes an unforgettable night steeped in rich Seattle music history!

Jill, Cynthia, Evan, and Jenn August 12, 2016 Century Link Field Seattle, Washington

My GN’R 2016 adventure continued with a terrific set by The Dead Daisies on September 8th at Webster Hall with appearances by Rhythm Guitarist Richard Fortus and Drummer Frank Ferrer. Both mingled in the club briefly following their performances, graciously giving their devoted fans exclusive access to rock royalty! I even met a couple from the south of France, who were doing an Air BNB in Tribeca and who graciously took this lovely photo of me with Frank Ferrer. Yes the FB fan group #GnFnR Fanspot #NotInThisLifetime group is continually growing!

Richard Fortus Webster Hall September 8, 2016 Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Frank Ferrer Webster Hall September 8, 2016 Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Frank Ferrer & Cynthia Drew Webster Hall September 8, 2016

The pace continued with a scintillating performance Wednesday September 14, 2016 at Madison Square Garden! Our beloved Axl Rose, in commanding high power lead vocal force, substituted for an ill Brian Johnson with legendary Rock&Roll band ACDC! Founder and lead guitarist Angus Young, not a young man at 61, delivered an incredibly physical and impressive performance on the electric guitar! Yes another new GN’R Rock&Roll sister Tammy Michaud from Los Angeles, who I met in June at Slash’s Conjuring 2 movie screening, flew out for the event and we had a terrific time! The concert was book ended by fan before and after parties with good friends Tammy, Monni, Nir, Joseph, and Avi.

Angus Young AC/DC Madison Square Garden September 14, 2016 Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Axl Rose lead singer with AC/DC September 14, 2016 at Madison Square Garden Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

I would be remiss if I did not mention the terrific surprise guest Drum performances by original GN’R drummer Steven Adler. I’m sorry that I missed them and understand it was much appreciated by the fans. I see Steven Adler’s tremendous enthusiasm for this reunion tour and I hope his recovery from back surgery continues in good fashion. Please know that I have equal appreciation for Frank Ferrer and would love for both of them to perform together. Why not? GN’R is a clear driving force in Rock&Roll trend! Where does it say you can’t have two drummers? Like many, I did miss seeing Izzy Stradlin on the Rhythm Guitar and am hopeful that each member of the original lineup can reach a happy accord. Again, like Adler and Ferrer, I hold the same feelings on Stradlin and Fortus.

Sadly I have to wrap up, but I am joyful to end on a very poignant and emotional note. After a record 23 years of not speaking with each other, following a roughly 10 year span of extraordinary Rock&Roll brotherhood that created some of this genre’s greatest classics, I was delighted to see this tweet this morning, with Slash and girlfriend Meegan Hodges in attendance Tuesday night September 20 at AC/DC’s final 2016 tour performance at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, cheering on his legendary rocker brother Axl Rose. Yes this is how it should be! Thank you Axl, Slash, Duff, Richard, Dizzy, Frank, and Melissa for re-energizing a global Rock&Roll audience and delivering some of the best damn music in the history of modern music!

Will sign off with this epic classic … Nothing lasts forever, even cold November Rain. Official November Rain Video

Cynthia Front Row July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium

Cynthia, Robyn, and Ron in the Paradise City VIP Lounge July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium

Slash July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Axl on the Piano November Rain July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Epic November Rain finale July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Axl Rose Century Link Field Seattle, Washington August 12, 2016 Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Axl Rose July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Duff McKagan July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Melissa Reese July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

Richard Fortus July 23, 2016 Met Life Stadium Photo taken by Cynthia Drew

September 21, 2016 By Cynthia Drew In Rock&Roll / 1 Comment

“10 Cloverfield Lane” Advanced Screening with Slash

Written for Myles Kennedy World by International Correspondent Cynthia Drew

If you love Rock & Roll, have social media savvy, and are determined to network with some legendary music and film types, then Guns and Roses Hall of Fame guitarist Slash has your golden ticket! For the second time in a 30 day period, I had the incredible honor to see yet another advanced screening of a very well made suspense thriller, and hang with one of the greatest guitar legends of all time; this time courtesy of Paramount Studios and legendary film producer J.J. Abrams!

I first learned about Slash’s latest fan contest Friday night March 4 on Twitter, to win tickets to an advanced screening of J.J. Abram’s new film, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Thursday night March 10, 2016, in the Theatre at Paramount Studios in Hollywood!

How could I pull that off, less than a week away, clear across the country, during a work week, with a gymnastics judging assignment Saturday morning? First things first, you’ve got to seize opportunity when it presents, and you’ve got to be in it, to win it! Having already satisfied the FB, Instagram, and Twitter “follow” requirements from my incredible February 13 experience The Witch Advanced Screening With Slash , I simply had to send the requisite RSVP email to the lovely team at Slashfiction Films. Done. I spoke to an actor friend of mine who told me everybody wants to be in J.J. Abrams’ orbit. Got it. Hotel points, airline miles, Super Shuttle, Uber, and my laptop with 6 uninterrupted hours of work each way sealed the deal. So I was all set to spring into action when the “Winner” email flew Tuesday night March 8. My carefully crafted travel plan worked seamlessly, the first time in a long while I can say that. Thank you American Airlines ! Yes, Guns and Roses fans are serious people who travel the globe for a chance to be with their Rockers. One of the winners flew in from Japan!

10 Cloverfield Lane, the second in the Cloverfield franchise, which opened nationally Friday March 11, 2016, is an American science fiction psychological thriller produced by the very talented and versatile J. J. Abrams and his production company Bad Robot Productions, distributed by Paramount Pictures Studio. If you’re a fan of the Emmy Award winning television series Lost, or blockbuster movie franchises like Armageddon, Mission Impossible, and Star Wars, then you certainly know Mr. Abrams. As an Actor, Screenwriter, Director, and Producer, he has earned multiple Emmy, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, BAFTA, and Saturn Awards for his work in Film and Television. Dan Trachtenberg knocked it out of the park in his directorial debut! Three words. Go see it! 10 Cloverfield Lane’s success at the box office results from a brilliantly crafted suspenseful story line, written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stucken and Damien Chazelle, that sends your expectations in one clear direction, then completely surprises you and delivers a 180 twist; not just once, but consistently throughout the movie! A small, yet powerful ensemble cast, brought it to life and made it real. John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. delivered very unique and credible performances that brought the audience’s emotion and fear right on to the set. John Goodman in fact, delivered a stunning performance, the best of his career, in my humble opinion. It was a terrific film experience loaded with Oscar worthy talent! I hope the Academy is paying attention. I’ll say it again. Go see it! 10 Cloverfield Lane Tickets

And so it goes for lucky Slash fans, another Bucket List evening for the memory books! We were instructed to enter through the Bronson Gate on Melrose, beginning at 6:45 PM with the film airing at 8:00. We were greeted by the lovely Slashfiction Films team, and of course Bad Robot! I entered the theatre and quickly claimed a strategically placed seat near the Paramount Pictures and Slashfiction Films reserved seating in the back of the theatre. And what do you know, in walked legendary GNR Bass player Dufff McKagan, his supermodel wife Sue Holmes McKagan, and Slash’s lovely girlfriend Meegan Hodges! I had a feeling they would be there. These very talented and humble celebs casually moved about the theatre, hugging friends and saying hi to fans. It was quite the cool rock & roll scene! As the movie time approached, Duff, Sue, and Meegan settled into their seats in the very last row, and all eyes were now on the front of the theatre, as we awaited the arrival of our legendary host.

Slash appeared to thunderous applause, and joined Bad Robot to welcome all of us! A consummate and humble professional, highly committed to his craft and the fan experience, he delivered some brief remarks in praise of the film. As promised, a studio photographer took a wide angle group photo with Slash, Bad Robot, and all of us very lucky fans seated throughout this majestic theatre!

With rock & roll cool, Slash strolled down the aisle to take his seat at the back of the theatre, giving his adoring fans an up close and personal view of music royalty. Of course Slash’s personal post on the Slashfiction Films Facebook page a few days later, wrapped up the fan experience in signature style,

“Thanks to everybody for coming down to Paramount for the 10 Cloverfield Lane screening. It was a great turnout. & a great night. We’ll screen another cool movie soon enough. In the meantime, thanks again. ‪#‎CloverfieldLaneMovie Rock N’ Fuckin’ Roll! iiii]; )”

Again, I simply must say, how appreciative I am for the very unique relationship this superstar seeks to build with his fans. As a veteran Rock & Roll fan, for which music fills my soul, simply listening to the intense emotion filled riffs this genius mind pens, would be enough! With keen intellect and vision, Slash’s thoughtful and creative energy builds upon this, creating a very special fan engagement. It’s exciting to be in the wake of it! Yes of course it benefits his career and wealth, as it should! I also think it serves as a model for all the struggling talented artists who are trying to make a living in today’s technology music age.

I am an early proud investor in Slashfiction Films. You see, Slash’s incredible portfolio of projects continues to expand, this time drawing on his love of the horror film genre, as he launches his own film company. I am quite excited to be involved in the production of their debut film effort, “The Hell Within”, which follows a woman from New York on a quest into the heart of the Brazilian jungle to save a missing girl, only to discover that the child was just the beginning! As a discerning analyst, this was an easy investment decision. Slash’s track record of success speaks for itself. As the iconic Top Hat guitar persona in Guns and Roses, to the critically acclaimed Velvet Revolver, to the exquisite collaboration with the amazing Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, and now to the successful launch of this fledgling film company that attracts legendary award winning film industry talent, thank you Slash for taking us on this great ride! Yes, you have brought us to the Paradise City !

FB Slashfiction Films

April 1, 2016 By Cynthia Drew In Myles Kennedy World /

Technology To The Top!

Technology has certainly transformed our lives, but can you take it to the top? As Mick Jagger and Keith Richards penned in the sleeper ballad “Tops” from the Rolling Stones 1981 “Tattoo You” album, “… I’ll make you a star…I’ll be your partner, show you the steps, with me behind you, you’ll taste the sweet wine of success…” Well, if you work in Capital Markets, the sweet wine of P&L success today depends upon innovation, collaboration, efficiency, and government regulation. Innovation ideally adds compelling functionality. Collaboration can mitigate risk and enhance solutions. The two combined have the potential to increase efficiency. Then there’s government regulation, a complex nut to crack that certainly requires both innovation and collaboration for all to succeed.

In the electronic trading industry, innovation has lowered trading costs for the investing consumer; has made the markets more efficient and transparent; and has shifted real estate from exchange floors to fortressed data centers. Exchanges, data center providers, and electronic trading support firms collaborate to support the trading needs of large sellside banks, buyside asset managers & hedge funds, and new proprietary trading firms spun off from sellside banks in the first round of Dodd Frank reform. As the next wave of Dodd Frank reform implementation is upon us, specifically risk compliance, technology innovation will again play a key role in managing the P&L of all the firms on this food chain. The bottom line? Adding another layer of cost to the already razor thin margins that exist today, simply demands a solution!

A promising new technology that likely holds a piece of the long term solution for the trading P&L is Block Chain technology. A highly secure and encrypted database architecture that creates a distributed ledger, one set of records created at the beginning of the trade life cycle where all market participants have open access to the same copy, the Block Chain contains a high degree of trust, and can ultimately lead to more efficient and transparent same day settlement, and of course lower operational cost. The technology has the ability to process both trading settlement and loan transactions and there are implications for Big Data as well, solving the dilemma of “garbage in, garbage out”. Blythe Masters, CEO of Digital Assets Holding, whose firm has received a Series A $60 million investment led by JP Morgan, to develop this disruptive technology, maintains ‘These systems will tackle settlement latency in mainstream financial markets and will change the way our financial markets operate.’ Blythe Masters on Blockchain. See more on JP Morgan Blockchain testing.

Of course this is a huge undertaking, the transformation of multi asset class transaction settlement across a complex and fragmented global market, so it will not happen overnight. At the same time though, as the global capital markets’ P&L has gone through transformative change since the near collapse in 2008, financial institutions are under incredible pressure to improve margins. One way or the other, they will. Block chain could be one avenue to help achieve this goal. Interestingly, JP Morgan has been testing the technology over the past year and plans for live “applications” later in 2016. Stay tuned.

As a veteran analyst, passionate about financial analysis driving P&L growth, and always determined to increase operational efficiency in support of compelling analytics, this subject matter really speaks to my heart! In addition to the obvious operational “value add” Block Chain technology can add in transaction settlement, I see great potential for all of us who have labored over the years in calculating trading p&l’s and discerning key business trends.

Further, as a passionate Rock&Roll fan, I am completely delighted at the intersection with the music world, a subject I touched upon briefly in my September 2015 post “The Musical Artist P&L in Today’s Digital Streaming World”! A very strong potential use case for Block Chain technology is in the recorded music industry. Similar to Capital Markets, the Artist P&L has been transformed dramatically by technology in an evolving and fragmented digital market. Professional Music Advocacy groups, including the newly created Grammy Creator’s Alliance, have been out in force on Capitol Hill urging legislators to adopt new legislation and create mechanisms, using technology, to help Artists earn well deserved and transparent royalties for the music they create, in essence “to make a living”, and to promote and support an enduring legacy of musical creativity. Referencing the U.S. Copyright Office’s “Copyright and the Music Marketplace Report” released early in 2015, one of the recommendations reads “Encouraging the private sector to create a comprehensive database of music-rights ownership information with unique universal identifiers and messaging standards.”

On a lighter note, to round out the Technology to the Top discussion, how would you like to be on Jimmy Kimmel Live? You can be, using new video wall technology that Cisco has built exclusively for the show! Learn more here. Simply sign up at the website and hopefully you will receive an email from a very nice producer named Jamie. You will be sent a link to download the “Cisco Jabber” to schedule a live test with the production team, to make sure you have a solid internet connection. For wireless users, Verizon Fios works very well. Also, lighting is very important. You will then have a chat with the producer, so he can get a sense of your background. If the test is a go, you will then be placed on the priority list to appear on the show, when a particular subject pertinent to your background, is set to air. I am told you will then do a second test before appearing the following night. Very exciting and what a brilliant use of technology to engage the entertainment audience! Jimmy Kimmel Wall of America segment.

So to wrap up in signature concert footage style, I leave you with this incredible live 1993 Argentina performance, a technically brilliant & masterful combination of emotion filled voice & electric guitar by two Rock legends, amid a creative backdrop of carefully choreographed colors, lights, and video sequences. Enjoy!

February 26, 2016 By Cynthia Drew In Technology /

Slash

The Long Game

#NotInThisLifetime

“10 Cloverfield Lane” Advanced Screening with Slash

Technology To The Top!

ABOUT EAST 84 ANALYTIC$

CONTACT

RECENT POSTS

MOST RECENT POST