It’s interesting to hear the views of 1960s pop star Sandie Shaw, who this week told a government committee that it’s easier for musicians from privileged backgrounds to prosper in today’s music industry.

Of course there are many cases of working-class musicians who have made it (and continue to make it) in the competitive world of pop. Adele and Dizzee Rascal, for example, show us that great talent knows no barriers.

But it’s certainly true that launching a successful music career now requires a great deal of marketing, PR and funding.

The Lance Armstrong doping scandal has been massive news in sport – one of the biggest global stars confessing to being a drugs cheat was depressing, if unsurprising, for cycling and its fans.

But for most who watched the Oprah Winfrey interview, the overriding impression was that it was all a little contrived, lacking in sincerity and with an agenda behind it.

So what was that agenda? Why did Armstrong choose now to confess?

Arguably, it was damage limitation. With the doping authorities circling above Armstrong and with the truth inevitably coming out, the damage to his global brand threatened to be crippling.

There’s more at stake here than the reputation of Armstrong the cyclist – after all most people have suspected his guilt for a while now.

There’s his Livestrong Foundation, which has generated more than $500 million of funds to support cancer sufferers … Read More »

Swiss watch company Rado must have been counting their blessings after Andy Murray won the US Open the other night. Not only had their man won the final – thereby guaranteeing them exposure as his Rado-embraced wrist lifted the trophy aloft – but Murray was caught on camera talking to his team over doubts whether he had remembered to pack the watch in his racquet bag.

It was an unintentional mishap but one that has received widespread news coverage and has given Rado considerably more publicity than they would otherwise have expected.

News sources including the BBC and the Guardian have written articles about Murray’s expected commercial earnings from his first Grand Slam triumph – estimates suggest he will be in line for an additional £15 million in sponsorships and endorsements this year on the back of his victory.

It’s quite a remarkable … Read More »