How Do You Want It?

Well, we’re at it again – scrapping and clawing in the struggle for choice and openness. While it may seem a bit odd to view anything the size of Yahoo! as a scrappy underdog, it can sometimes feel that way when going up against some of the larger forces in the universe.In this case, our small victory comes in the form of the new album from fresh-faced Jesse McCartney — and the fact that you can buy it from Yahoo! Music in your choice of WMA format, or the classic MP3 format that we’ve all come to know and love. (Or you can get both, for you Jesse McCartney completeists) Sure, we made a splash when we offered Jessica as an MP3, and this is another step in that direction.

Check it out: http://music.yahoo.com/jesseright

But, a step in what direction? It has to do with this radical concept: Consumer choice.

Now, I caution anyone reading this to resist the urge to see the future of digital content as a war between DRM and an MP3 free-for-all. The prediction of some that all major labels will teeter and crumble is a bit premature – and probably not in anyone’s ultimate best interest. Some say all DRM is evil and a complete hindrance to any innovation. I happen to disagree. I believe that when executed well, rights management can open up a lot of doors that would be otherwise locked – portable all-you-can-eat subscriptions being one notable example. Nobody has all the answers yet. Some say revolution, but I see an evolution coming, and I like it.

I’m not really here to debate DRM, though. What I really wanted to do is give a shout out to Jesse McCartney and Hollywood Records. The real point here is that there may be a better way to do this business down the road. Maybe what’s important isn’t picking one or the other, but offering real choice to music lovers out there. More folks are starting to understand that. Today, you can buy Right Where You Want Me in a format that suits you. We hope that in the near future, you’ll have the choice buy all your music that way.

Mick O.
Yahoo! Music