The latest Taylor Swift video for Me! is a mini-million dollar movie. Insiders claim Swift’s latest video cost over a million. Is it worth to spend a million dollars on a music video today? For Swift, sure. She has the money to spend, but for other artists?

It’s hard to make money off videos in the digital age because of streaming. Unlike 20 years ago, at least today, videos can generate ad revenue whereas MTV paid nothing to artists and labels. Regardless, big budget videos were always a risky bet even in the MTV era because it’s never a surefire bet that the masses would embrace the song. In many cases, artists would come out with the song first, and if the song did well, then shoot a video.

YouTube pays out approximately $1.50 for every 1,000 views, therefor, music videos should be viewed as a promotional item, not as a profit center, especially for a new artist.

The Economics of Taylor Swift’s ‘ME!’ and Music Videos In the Digital Age

Music-video costs range from $2,500 (for an indie-label project) to $700,000 or more (for a pop superstar like Swift, Grande or Drake). Vince Staples’ 2018 video for “FUN!” cost roughly $200,000, says his manager, Corey Smyth, although it has just 3.7 million YouTube views. “It’s worth it,” he says. “They’re all calling cards. You don’t know what’s going to hit and what’s going to go viral.” Country stars spend $30,000 to $250,000 per video, according to Erica Rosa, royalties director for Nashville business-management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy. “I saw one in the pop world that was around $850,000,” she says. “I almost fell out of my chair.”

“Videos are as important as they’ve ever been,” says McLynn, who manages Sia and Fall Out Boy and has made videos from $10,000 to $200,000. “When you’re rolling out a bigger artist, you want to double down — you want to make sure you have everything you need, so you up the budget.”

Big budget videos are reserved for a few artists a year that can generate hundreds of millions of streams. Since the cost of making music videos have gone down, it makes sense for most artists to release videos in the digital age. In fact, music videos and visuals are more important than ever.

Demi Lovato signs with Scooter Braun. The powerhouse manager says, “She is a special person and a special talent. I’m… we.. are honored. Welcome to the family Demi.”

Demi Lovato notes, “GUYS!!!!!!! Dreams came true today for me. I officially have a NEW MANAGER!!! And not just any new manager but the one and only @scooterbraun!!!! Couldn’t be happier, inspired and excited to begin this next chapter with you Scooter!!! Thank you for believing in me and for being apart of this new journey. Let’s DO THIS!!!!!

Braun’s SB Projects houses Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Dan + Shay, Zac Brown Band and Tori Kelly.

Lovato split from her longtime manager Phil McIntyre last year.

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi will release his debut album via Capitol Records on May 17th. Capaldi got his start uploading recordings in his bedroom. His first release “Bruises” amassed close to 28 million plays on Spotify.

Media darlings Vampire Weekend scored another #1 debut with ‘Father of the Bride’ via Columbia.

Still trying to break in the U.S. actress Pia Mia gives it another go with the release of the new track Do It Again via Interscope.

The Head and the Heart will release their 4th album ‘Living Mirage’ on Warner Bros. while pop artist Carly Rae Jepsen will release ‘Dedicated’ via 604/School Boy/Interscope Records.

Notable Spotify New Music Friday Releases: Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, Logic, Avicii, blink-182, and LIVVIA….

If it’s any act that has GOD’s anointing it is Hillsong United. The christian act won their first #1 album outpacing P!nk. Without any top 40 radio support and marketing, the latest effort is a LIVE album, not a big budget studio album. The album features 12 live tracks which was recorded in Sydney, Australia.

Joel Houston says “The hope for the project is simply understanding the power of music as a means of bringing people together, and letting it serve as a reminder that in our culture––the call to love our neighbour is a revolutionary act that perhaps rings louder now than ever.”

Now that the christian act scored their first album, is this a once in a lifetime event? Definitely not. With 5 studio albums and 14 Live Albums, the band has been growing in popularity for years. What I do know is that P!nk won’t be releasing her next album during the same week as Hillsong United, that’s of course if she wants a #1 album.

Taylor Swift returns with a new playful pop song ME! that features Panic’s Brendon Urie. The new single marks her first release on Republic (UMG). It should come to no surprise that she teamed up with Brendon considering he has a chart topping smash with ‘High Hopes’. Not that Taylor needs Brendon, but two big names coming together nearly guarantees strong airplay and placement.

Columbia Records struck gold with Lil Nas X ‘Old Town Road’ has topped Spotify’s daily U.S. Streaming Songs chart. As we mentioned earlier, it will be the memorable marketing campaign of the year.

In streaming news, Spotify hit 100 million paid subscribers. It was only a month ago that Apple said it overtook Spotify in paid subscribers but Spotify has turned the tables and is now claiming it has twice the number of subscribers as Apple. The streaming wars continue….

The biggest shocker this week is the cancellation of Woodstock 50. There is too much behind-the-scenes drama to draw any speculation.