A very interesting article in NY Times, couple of days ago, on how (co) branding and nowadays marketing strategies had changed the way music industry is running its business. It is focused especially on names and bands “whose generation embraced the anti-big-business motto “never trust anyone over 30” in the 1960s, toots the corporate horn” nowadays.

Band branding appears to know no bounds. The Black Crowes market rolling papers, Bon Jovi offers $1,000 signed canvas art prints and Mötley Crüe peddled Mötley Brüe, a carbonated drink. Celebration Cellars, a California winemaker, teamed up with several rockers, including Bon Jovi, Kiss, Madonna and the Rolling Stones, to issue special-edition wines that feature band logos and sell for $100 or more a bottle.

branding lucre rolling in for those who do choose to indulge, some record labels are pressuring artists to share their promotional and merchandising income as a condition of getting record contracts — so-called 360 deals.

Read full If It’s Retail, Is It Still Rock?