How music is used by industry to create demand

Music has a defining role in influencing and manipulating human behavior. There is scientific data and also numerous instances in our daily lives as proof. You see music being used in a number of activities and businesses, be it physical exercise, the movies, at work (through piped music) or in the retail industry. Three industries that have actually used music successfully to drive business are the movies, the retail industry and the casino industry. 

Music in the Movie Industry

Right from the early days, music has been an integral part of the movie industry. Music has the ability to manipulate human emotion. Some music and songs make you happy, some make you sad, some of them make you angry and some increase energy while some others cause anxiety and even fear. And these are all emotions that actors need to convey to the audience through their acting; so, what better way than to use one of the most effective ways of manipulating emotion - music - as the grade one prop? 

The Importance of the Soundtrack in Movies 

For all the above reasons, the soundtrack plays a critical role in the success or failure of a movie. The right music used the right way can elevate a movie from average to cult classic. Of course, the core of the movie is the story; but the beauty of it all is that good music can change the fortunes of even a movie with a mediocre storyline. 

Music has been part of the movie industry even during the times of the silent movie. It was fascinating, possibly: in the early days when the technology to incorporate music into the film had not evolved, silent movies would play out on big screens, with a live band accompanying it with the musical score. And the music was not scored; it was mostly improvisation! Charlie Chaplin falling, for instance, would elicit a certain kind of music, while a wild comedic brawl would elicit another kind of music altogether!

There are other ways too in which the soundtrack delivers the goods for a movie. For instance, a particular kind of music can provide the audience with a direct connect to the geographical location where the movie is based in. That is how themed music became a part of the movie world. For instance, a movie about the Arabian Nights would have a distinctly Middle Eastern track, while a movie about Romanian gypsies would have a soundtrack to suit the musical and cultural ethos of that country.

Music in the Retail Industry

Music has played an important role in attracting and retaining customers in the retail industry. The experience of being in a store with no music is very different from that of being in a store with music playing as you shop. We don't think much about it, but the role of music is very important for enhancing a customer's shopping experience. 

Why Music is Important for the Retail Industry 

Music becomes important for a land-based store given the huge swathes of the consumer segment that e-tail stores are swallowing up. When purchasing can get as easy as just sitting at home and getting whatever, you want directly from your phone, a customer needs incentive to get to a physical store and shop. That is where music can play an important role. 

The key of course is to have the right kind of music in the right volume. Shopping in a store with loud music playing can be a disruptive and disturbing experience to most of us. The right music has the ability to put us in the right mood and shop in a free and relaxed manner, which usually translates into good business for the store you are at.

What Music Does in a Retail Store

There are many things that music does for a retail store. 

1. The kind of music a store plays can easily become the store's brand signature and help boost visibility, sales and customer acquisition. There is proven data that shows the impact music has on customers and the store environment: it can have a positive impact on the customer's state of mind and also provide the right ambience for shopping.

2. Music also helps block out other ambient sounds that a store without music could have. This is important because it creates a personal space for the customer to be in. Shops with music in them are considered more contemporary than shops that don't have it, and this is the opinion not just of shoppers but also staff working in stores without music.

3. Another important role that music in a retail store plays is in changing a customer's perception of time itself. The right kind of music can make something as tedious as waiting in a long queue an actually enjoyable experience. 

4. Music has a positive impact not just on the shopper but also the staff as well. Good music can be a great contributor to increasing the staff's productivity.

Music in the Casino Industry

Music has been an integral part of the casino industry for decades now. Demand is the driver for all businesses and the casino industry has used music as a tool to drive demand. They introduced the concept of live music shows to attract not just individual gamblers but also entire families, and thereby transform a mere gambling joint into a place where the family could hang out, and have fun while the adults indulge in some fun gambling. The correlation between music and casino gambling has been proved repeatedly through numerous studies.

Music in the Casino Industry: From the Early Days till Now

Las Vegas is what it is today because casino owners realized that their offering had to be more than just games. That is how the concept of the casino resort evolved, and today Vegas casinos, e.g. the ones run by MGM Resorts International, offer not just gambling but also a whole lot of other activities and entertainment avenues, with music being one of the core offerings. In the early days there were shows by musicians of the reputation of Frank Sinatra and James Dean and today you have contemporary greats gracing the stage at the casinos there.

The arrival of the online casino has changed the musical soundscape that has so far been associated with the industry. You get different kinds of music, depending on the provider behind the game and the game itself.

Types of Music at Casinos - Land-based and Online

The type of music you get at casinos today varies depending on whether it is a land-based casino or an online casino. There is a reason for this - the difference in setting. A land-based casino offers a number of different games in one physical location. You can play only one game at a time; that is why the general music across a casino is of one kind. Of course, individual games, e.g. the slot machines, will have their own tracks for different scenarios, like when a game is in progress or when you hit a jackpot.

The music that you get to hear at a land-based casino by day is mostly lounge music, music that is easy on the ears and puts you in a calm and relaxed state. Other kinds of music that you get include jazz, piano and others. In the evenings, the music gets faster as the attempt is to create a fun and party atmosphere. The kind of music in the evenings is mostly techno and electronica, though there are casinos where you will find pop music and rock and roll as well.

At an online casino you get music for individual games. Depending on the game that you are playing, the music could be fast and upswing or slow and relaxed. This is especially true of slots, as sound plays an important role in any slot, creating the atmosphere and giving cues to what is happening. 

To Sum Up...

One thing is certain: music does influence behavior, and that is why you find it being used so effectively in numerous industries, including the ones discussed here. The kind of music used shows a wide variance in impact depending on the scenario and context. For instance, the music that you hear in a suspense thriller out of Hollywood would be very different from what you hear while playing an online slot or when you are shopping at your favorite retail store.