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.

Fresh-on-the-scene Laur Elle hails from Alberta and releases the new synth-electro track Just So You Know. Her debut track “Leave This Town” has clocked over 140,000 streams on Spotify landing #23 on the Canada Viral 50 charts.
Playlists: New Music Friday Canada, Indie Pop Chillout and New Music Now.
Press: Gems & Secrets, B-Sides & Badlands, Music Injection.
Radio: Medicine Hat’s MY96 FM station Fresh Five #1 Single.
Socials: Instagram 100k
iamlaur.elle.music@gmail.com

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….

Look out for the club-dance track Play by Betta Lemme released via Ultra Music. This time she enlisted co-writers Jesse Saint John (Britney Spears, Charli XCX) and Danny L Harle (Carly Rae Jepsen). Press includes: Nylon, Paper, L’Officiel. Her debut track “Bambola” charted worldwide and has amassed over 50 million views on YouTube. Having performed popular Italian festivals Wind Summer Festival and Battiti Live, she’s active on the live circuit. Check out the official video.