While you and I were enjoying time with friends and family yesterday, a soap opera played out between superstar artist Taylor Swift and technology juggernaut Apple regarding the company's new music streaming service, Apple Music.
Here's how Swift got the most valuable company in the world to bend:
In introducing the new streaming service, Apple is offering a free three-month trial to new users. The company had originally planned to not pay royalties to artists during the three-month period. In response, Swift (who famously pulled her music from popular streaming service Spotify last fall) announced via Tumblr Sunday morning that she wouldn't allow Apple Music to access her super-hit album 1989.
In an open letter entitled "To Apple, Love Taylor," the singer criticized the company for its refusal to compensate artists, writers, and producers. She writes:
"I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free three month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."
Swift concluded powerfully:
"We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."
(You can read the letter in its entirety here.)
In an astonishing turn of events, Apple then performed a complete 180, with Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue breaking the news on Twitter: