HN Theater @HNTheaterMonth

If you want academic work, look at anything by Merry White about Japanese children -- she covers the phenomenon of how Japanese record companies do it, and why, in detail. (Short version: the fantasy that you are just like this pop star and that they are part of your life sells records.)

If you want more informal analysis, look at anything in the press about Disney Music in the last 10+ years. It is crazy how much of American pop has come out of The Mouse -- not because they have superior access to talented teenagers but because they know what to do to craft, develop, launch and manage a brand which just happens to center around an actual human being. (They're seriously ambivalent about that, actually -- if they could do it without the human they would.)

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1564394,00.html

I also love the Onion's take on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZgXg_7kVI8&feature=playe...

⬐ jamesbritt

Thanks for the links.

I've gotten the impression that creating hits is a complete black art, whihc is one reason companies are so keen on blatant copies and minor variations.

It was also my understanding that most acts fails, even those pushed by major media; people are fickle about what's trend-worthy.