Hot Seat: Mark Dalgleish – CEO The Entertainment Media Group

The Music Network has been undergoing a quiet transformation in recent months and it’s time to spill the beans. Firstly, we’re under new management – the business is now owned by digital media entrepreneur, Mark Dalgleish and published by The Entertainment Media Group. Editor Nathan Jolly talks to the boss about his plans for the publication. 

Mark, what’s your background, and why get involved with TMN? 

I’ve built and managed several digital media businesses in the UK and Australia, after starting out as a TV reporter with Channel 7 and Channel 9. I’m still a journo at heart, so I was looking to combine my passion for digital content with an interesting publishing opportunity. TMN is a great brand with a great team, that hasn’t had enough support in recent years, and I believe that with a new focus and a smarter digital strategy it can be an even better product for the industry.

What are your music credentials, and do you have fingers in any other pies? 

Apart from a love of music, I don’t have any history in the industry – I’m simply a businessman and publisher. I own The Entertainment Media Group, which publishes eventfinder.com.au, Australia’s leading events directory and e-ticketing website. 

What’s your vision for TMN?

I’m a great believer in identifying your niche and being the absolute best at it. TMN is returning to its roots, which is a B2B publication, aimed squarely at the music business. The team is savvy and passionate about working in and supporting the Australian music industry, so that’s what we’re focusing on. There are more than a dozen websites and street press aimed at young music and lifestyle consumers, and I reckon they all offer up pretty much the same fare. I don’t want to go there – we’re here to serve the music industry, plain and simple.

What’s your main focus right now? 

Data, data and more data! We already have a unique charts service that is mission critical for subscribers who need to track artists and singles. We’re currently expanding the service to include all the new digital players, industry bodies, and additional music genres. Most importantly, we’re building a sophisticated online portal that will enable our subscribers to search and compare any song, artist, genre, media or publisher, across any time frame. These metrics can help music businesses gain a competitive edge, by predicting trends and shaping strategy. In my view, this is how we can really add value to the industry. The first online iteration will be launched in October. 

What else are you planning for TMN?

As you know, I want to push insightful business journalism that focuses on major industry issues and innovations. In the past month we’ve started a weekly column on streaming and digital, as well as radio, and we’re planning regular features on music marketing, entertainment law and education, so watch this space! We’re also upgrading the subscription service to provide more options at different levels to encourage greater participation, and we’ll be launching a newly designed website before Christmas.

You decided to kill the weekly printed magazine – why? 

I still enjoy reading newspapers and mags, but it was wrong for TMN. Like the music industry, things had moved digital and our subscribers wanted their information online and on mobile. By the time we designed, printed and distributed the magazine, most of the news and chart data was already out of date. Online allows for real-time data, richer content, information sharing, better engagement and reporting. Print isn’t completely dead though – we’re planning to publish a quarterly white paper and an annual coffee table book, charting the year’s movers and shakers and big stories.

What would you say is unique about TMN? 

Well, apart from the charts data and insights we provide on a daily basis, we have about 10,000 individual subscribers working in all the labels, radio stations, media and touring companies, along with every music executive and promoter worth talking to. So, we provide an important forum for music professionals and brands to connect with each other and show their wares. No other publication has this reach and credibility. That said, I wouldn’t be involved if I didn’t think we could do it better, which is why we’ve moved it online and are rebuilding the product.

What’s your commercial model – does it make money? 

TMN doesn’t get any funding from government or industry and the business has relied on subscriptions and last minute advertising. In today’s media world this model doesn’t work anymore, so we need to change it.

We’ll continue to develop the product, build the database, and provide free daily emails to industry, but I’ll be looking to forge closer commercial relationships and work more strategically with key partners in the industry who believe in what we do and can see the value of trade marketing. A good example is a partnership agreement we recently signed with streaming service Rdio, along with a deal with Sydney TAFE to provide content for their music business degree.

The other service we’re developing is data reporting, surveys and consultancy, where we work in conjunction with music brands and professionals to help them track and understand key trends, opinions and tipping points in their business. 

Do you have any message for the industry?

Yes, TMN is back with a vengeance. We’re open for business, we can add real value to the industry, but we can’t do it without their support. So, get on board and come and talk to us!

It all sounds pretty promising – so, can I have a pay rise?

No.