PowerPoint Presentation

SBA 120: Media and Society Week 1: Wednesday, October 15.

Agenda. Welcome Ch. 5 - From Phonograph to Spotify: How Sound Became Global. How technology, business, and law changed the way the world listens Ch. 10: Advertising Global Leadership.

What’s Going on in the World of Business?. A newspaper with a picture of a building Description automatically generated.

[Audio] "Today we will learn how people started to record sound and listen to music. We will see how music changed — from old records to phones and the internet. We will talk about rock and roll and how new technology made music popular. You will also learn how the music business works — how singers and bands make money today. And last, we will talk about why copyright and streaming are important now.".

[Audio] "In the year 1877, Thomas Edison made the first machine that could record and play sound. It was called the phonograph. Ten years later, another inventor, Emile Berliner, made a new kind of record — a flat disc. Together with his partner Eldridge Johnson, he started a company called Victor Talking Machine. Later, it became RCA Victor. A man named Joseph Maxfield made the sound clearer, not so noisy. These first records played at 78 rounds per minute — we call it '78 rpm.'".

[Audio] "In 1948, Peter Goldmark worked for CBS, a big American company. He made a new type of record — the long-playing record, or LP. It could play for 23 minutes on one side. That was much longer than the old 78s. Now people could listen to more music, like a full concert or album, without changing the record. This made music easier to enjoy at home with family and friends." Prompt: What kind of music do your parents listen to at home?.

[Audio] "Not everyone liked the same kind of record. CBS and RCA were two big companies, and they competed. RCA made small 45 rpm records. CBS used large 33⅓ rpm records. People didn't want to choose between them, so soon, record players could play all three types — 33⅓, 45, and 78. Competition helped new technology grow faster." Prompt: What kind of music do your parents listen to at home?.

[Audio] "When sound became clearer — what we call Hi-Fi and stereo — people started to love music even more. Rock and roll came. It was new, loud, and full of energy. Famous singers like Elvis Presley and groups like The Supremes made young people feel powerful and free. Music became part of youth culture around the world.".

[Audio] "In the 1960s, people could listen to music anywhere. Small transistor radios let people hear songs outside — on the street, in the park, or at school. In the 1970s, the Walkman arrived. It was a small player with headphones. For the first time, each person could listen to their own music privately. Music became part of daily life — on the move, in the bus, or while walking.".

[Audio] "Later, music became digital. People started using CDs — small discs with very clear sound. Some CDs, called CD-RWs, could record music too. In 2001, Apple made the iPod. It could keep thousands of songs in one small device. People no longer needed to carry many discs — just one pocket-sized player.".

[Audio] "In 2003, Apple made iTunes, an online store for music. People could buy one song for 99 cents — and it was legal. In 2007, Apple made the iPhone. It mixed phone, music, and internet together. Today, Apple is one of the biggest places where people buy or stream music." 💬 Prompt for students: "Do you still buy songs, or do you just listen for free online?".

[Audio] "Let's see how a recording company is organized. There are five main departments. Artists and Repertoire — or A&R — finds and trains new singers or bands. Operations — makes the music ready for release. Marketing and Promotion — tells the world about new songs or albums. Distribution — sends the music to stores or streaming sites. Administration — handles money, contracts, and legal things. All these parts must work together for a hit song to succeed.".

[Audio] "Selling music alone is not enough for most singers and bands today. A song on the radio or Spotify gives only a small payment. To earn more, artists need to perform live — concerts, tours, and music festivals. Streaming and social media also help them reach fans around the world. In short — concerts and online streaming help artists survive." 💬 Prompt: "Do you know any Ukrainian artists who became famous through YouTube or TikTok?".

[Audio] "Concerts are not only for fun — they are big business. Modern shows use large screens, special lights, and sound systems. Tickets can be very expensive, but people still go because they want to see their favorite artists live. In Ukraine, big festivals like Atlas Weekend also help promote local musicians.".

[Audio] Today, three big companies control most of the world's music. They are Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music. These companies work with famous artists, produce albums, and control music on radio and streaming apps. Radio needs their songs, and singers need radio to promote their music. So, both sides depend on each other..

[Audio] "Let's look at how money moves in the music business. There are three main ways: Physical sales — CDs, vinyl, or other items people buy. Licensing — when songs are used in movies, ads, or on the radio. Streaming — when you listen online through apps like Spotify or Apple Music. Two big organizations — ASCAP and BMI — help collect payments for the artists. They make sure musicians get money when their songs are played on the radio or in public.".

[Audio] Starting in the 1980s, the music industry had new problems. First, people said some songs had bad or violent words. So, record companies made their own warning labels for parents. Second, music was copied illegally in other countries — this is called piracy. Third, the internet made it easy to share songs for free. The industry began fighting to protect artists and their work..

[Audio] In 1999, a new technology called MP3 made it easy to download music from the internet. A program called Napster let people share songs for free. Millions of users joined. But this was illegal — the songs were protected by copyright. In 1999, a group called RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) sued Napster. Napster closed in 2001, but other programs like Kazaa and Grokster continued. In 2003, RIAA even sued 261 people who downloaded music from home." 💬 Prompt: "Do you think downloading one song for free is really a big crime? Why or why not?".

[Audio] "In 2005, a big court case happened — MGM Studios v. Grokster. The U.S. Supreme Court said that companies that let people copy songs could be sued. Two years later, in 2007, a woman named Jammie Thomas was fined $222,000 for sharing songs. The case continued for years, but in 2013, the Supreme Court agreed with the punishment. This showed that the music industry was serious about protecting copyright." 💬 Prompt: "Would you pay for music if free downloads were still easy to find?".

[Audio] After many lawsuits, the industry tried a new way — to make legal online music easy to get. Companies like Apple iTunes and Spotify let people listen legally for a small fee. These services work with artists and record labels, so everyone gets paid. Now, instead of owning music, people just access it — they pay to listen anytime. This new model helped stop a lot of piracy..

[Audio] In 2018, the U.S. made a new law called the Music Modernization Act, or MMA. This law helps musicians get paid when their songs are used online. It created a group called the Mechanical Licensing Collective, or MLC. The MLC keeps a big list of all songs and who owns them. When a song is played or streamed, this group makes sure the right people get their money. The law also helps older artists — people who made songs before 1972 — to receive royalties too." 💬 Prompt: "Do you think Ukrainian artists today get fair payment when their songs play online?".

[Audio] Today, anyone can make music and share it on the internet. You don't need a big company — you can post a song on YouTube, TikTok, or Spotify. But the internet also makes it easy to steal music. Many people think, 'It's only one song — it's free.' Still, this hurts musicians because they lose income. At the same time, streaming gives artists a chance to reach the whole world — even from Ukraine. So, the internet brings both big problems and big chances." 💬 Prompt: "Do you know any Ukrainian musicians who became popular on YouTube or TikTok?".

[Audio] Let's remember what we learned today. First, sound recording began with Edison's phonograph in 1877. Then, we saw new record formats — 78s, LPs, 45s — and later CDs, iPods, and streaming. Second, we learned that technology always changes how we listen to music. Third, we talked about the music business — how artists earn money from concerts, streaming, and licensing. And finally, we saw how copyright and new laws try to protect musicians in the digital world. Now I want to hear from you: Do you think music is more free today — or more controlled by companies? Why?" 💬 Follow-up Option: Ask for short answers in pairs or groups — each student gives one reason..

[Audio] We're now at a point where using AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or translation apps is common — even expected. But what matters is how you use them and whether you're transparent about it. When you answer questions in online assignments or quizzes, I expect you to cite your use of AI. Write something like: 'Draft reviewed with ChatGPT for grammar and structure' or 'Idea clarified using Gemini'. That's not weakness — that's integrity. It shows you're being honest about your process. If I ask you to explain your answer in class and you can't talk me through how you reached it, then the work isn't really yours. AI can support your writing, but it cannot replace your thinking. You must be able to defend, discuss, and stand by your work. The NPR clip you'll hear in a moment talks about how California law enforcement officers are now allowed to use AI in drafting their reports. But even then — the responsibility for what's written is still theirs. The officer, not the AI, signs off on it. That's exactly how I want you to approach your work here. Use technology wisely, disclose it openly, and own your ideas. Transparency builds trust — and in today's world, accountability is as important as accuracy..