Los Angeles, CA (Recording Academy) – The What's The Download
Interactive Advisory Board, comprised of 12 young music fans that are dedicated to creating a dialogue between music fans and music makers, has announced its 2006 Honorary Board Members. The WTD
Interactive Advisory Board Honorary Members include multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated pop star
Kelly Clarkson, GRAMMY-nominated rapper/actor Common, and producer/hip-hop artist SWAY. The entire Board will participate in the 'WTD Rap Session' with hundreds of teens taking place during GRAMMY Week leading up to the 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February 2006.
'Sparking discussion about digital music issues has always been one of the objectives of the What's The Download campaign and the Board,' said Ron Roecker, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations, The Recording Academy. 'We are thrilled that these well-known music makers are joining our Board to help make sure the education process is a two-way street. Since The Academy launched WTD, we've all learned a lot from each other. At the end of the day, we know we're all trying to make sure that music remains an important and vibrant part of everyone's life.'
Clarkson, Common and SWAY join the list of previous Honorary Members, which includes rapper/producer Kanye West, legendary funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, Sugar Ray front man and co-host of "Extra" Mark McGrath and newcomer, singer/songwriter/rocker JD Natasha. These members conducted a roundtable with the Board during the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards, in which they debated controversial digital music topics such as downloading, peer-to-peer and subscription services, CD burning, artist rights and consumer trends in digital music.
Since the WTDIAB launched last February, members have been active contributors to the Web site (www.WhatsTheDownload.com), regular participants in local Recording Academy Chapter activities and on university campuses, and have attended several industry conferences such as NARM and DEMXPO, during which they provided their insights to music retailers and label executives. The WTDIAB is working toward the creation of a final report to be presented to members of Congress and music industry thought leaders. The report will outline their experiences, collective findings and ideas determined during the past year as the Board has researched and examined issues plaguing the music industry.
About the Selection Process for the WTDIAB Because What's The Download believes this board is important to the future of music, the application process was rigorous and thorough. After an online application was submitted, judges, including industry insiders, music-makers, and Academy members, selected nearly 70 semifinalists to participate in the video portion of the process. Upon receipt of the video entries, the judges narrowed the search even further by having the last finalists participate in phone interviews. In the end, 12 final applicants have a seat on the Board and two alternates have been selected to fill the role if an original member cannot fulfill his/her obligations. To find out more about the WTD Interactive Advisory Board log onto www.WhatsTheDownload.com.
More about What's The Download: What's The Download is a comprehensive, research-based public education campaign designed by The Recording Academy to spur dialogue and to address the value of paying for music. Designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions regarding how they get their music, the campaign focuses on offering comprehensive and understandable information about intellectual property and downloading issues. Additionally, the campaign encourages the use of legal options for obtaining digital music and ultimately serves as a key source of information for music lovers. The research-based campaign, designed to complement other current industry campaigns, includes an educational Web site, public service announcements, local market activities and the What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board.
About The Recording Academy Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. The Recording Academy is internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human services programs - including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
