Corporate and Business Strategy: businesses operating at the intersection of audio and/or music and tech are in a technological and cultural environment undergoing change at breakneck speeds. It is hard for leadership to have the breathing space to assess a firm’s optimal medium and long term moves. This advisory service provides that perspective; the practice will work with senior leaders to help answer questions that can set the right course for the business over the long term. What is the organisation’s vision? What are its goals? Is the portfolio of businesses, products and services correctly balanced? Is the business investing in the right areas and is it taking enough risks? Does the business and/or its different units have the right people in the right roles and is there a management structure and the measurement framework to drive success? Are the structure and mechanisms nimble enough to cope with change?

Market Analysis: Clifton Consults delivers MBA level, tech-firm-quality analysis. This ranges from deep-dives of quantitative datasets to strategic overviews of specific market segments. For the latter, we help firms understand the value chain and the competitive landscape; incumbent market leaders and new market entrants; and considerations of customer needs, business capabilities and risks/opportunities. The practice can also develop this into business plans and go-to-market strategies, develop financial forecasts and models, or otherwise advise on markets and market entries.

Music Ecosystem Design: the value chain that exposes and connects artists to potential fans has completely changed in the last five years.  Old certainties and ways of working are no longer effective.  Clifton Consults works with management companies, record labels and other music firms to develop ecosystems that connect artist and their music to fans. We advise and implement strategies for fan valuation, fan engagement, physical music and merchandise, direct-to-fan, subscription, distribution, e-commerce and retail, as well as a full streaming strategy, performance and analysis service. As well as developing strategy, we will introduce you to potential partners that can help build this infrastructure, assist with implementation and help with financial modelling, budgeting, inventory, terms reviews, etc. The practice also helps optimise label catalogues for streaming and for re-monetisation through e-commerce and D2C.

Audio & Entertainment Technology Advisory: founder and principal Patrick Clifton led the launch and growth of a number of tech products for Amazon in the UK, including the various tiers of Amazon Music, the algorithmically-drive Stations playback vehicle, Amazon’s HD audio tier and Livestreams on Amazon Video and Twitch. As well as deep experience with factors intrinsic to building tech products, from payment and compliance considerations to Machine Learning and A.I, he is highly experienced at bridging the worlds of music and tech. He therefore brings expert knowledge in developing and executing music and artist strategies for tech firms, from content and licensing considerations to when and how to partner with artists. His experience also means he can help with foundational strategies for B2B and B2C start-up and early-stage companies, where he can advise on product, funding, go-to-market, growth, business development, etc.