The Revolution will be televised – Pt 2

If you are unfamiliar with how powerful a medium, TV dramas are for the music industry let me just give you an example.

Most people who live in the western world are familiar with ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. However, before 2006, very few knew of the band “The Fray”. They have actually been around since 2002. In 2005 they released their album ‘How to Save a life’ to modest reviews. Their song ‘How to Save a life’ was not a single, and rarely received radio airplay until March 2006 when it was featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and then used in the new season promo for the show.

Since it’s TV drama debut The Fray has developed international fame. The song, ‘How to Save a Life’ became a major international hit, topping singles charts in Canada, and Ireland, and making top 5 on several US charts. Less than a year later, that virtually unknown band, sold 1.2 million digital tracks for that one song that was played during Grey’s Anatomy.

Yes, Primetime TV is the new radio as far as most artists are concerned. Instead of trying to pay some DJ to play your track, artists are pimping out their songs to Music coordinators. No doubt, Alexandra Patsavas (music supervisor for Grey’s Anatomy) is one of the most whispered names among artist managers, and Lindsay Wolfington (music coordinator for One Tree Hill ) has admitted to receiving too many packages to sort through.

What does it all mean for me, an aspiring PR practitioner? It means that the most unlikely places can often be the best places to communicate your product/client/event to your audience, especially if you can get there at the right time with the right message like The Fray managed to do. It also means that I can be assured that some good music will be another benefit of my TV addiction.

Just in case you missed it…