#97: Ted Cohen, Lessons from the Godfather of Digital Music
Ted Cohen: Lessons from the Godfather of Digital Music
In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny welcomes Ted Cohen, the “Godfather of Digital Music”, for a masterclass in how technology, culture, and creativity have shaped the modern music industry. From backstage with the Rolling Stones before their Ed Sullivan debut to pioneering digital deals at EMI, Ted’s career is a living history of music’s transformation.
Together, Oisin and Ted trace the arc from analog to digital, exploring how serendipity, artist development, and a relentless curiosity led Ted to work with legends like Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Prince, and The Who. Ted shares candid stories from the road, the boardroom, and the cutting edge of innovation—whether sneaking Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker into the Grammys, navigating the Napster wars, or helping to launch Amazon Music before streaming was mainstream.
The conversation dives into the evolution from distribution to the attention economy, the rise of AI and creative tools, and the shifting boundaries between consumption and experience. Ted reflects on the lessons learned (and missed) by the industry, the importance of building your “village,” and why kindness is the ultimate long game.
More useful links and information:
Learn more about TAG Strategic here: https://tagstrategic.com/
Check out Bootleg Live here: https://www.instagram.com/bootleg.live/?hl=en
Our Audio Talks Playlist: https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/6d14f4ad-f1c7-404d-ba82-fe8d0a320b93
Make sure to follow HARMAN on Social Media and visit our Art of Listening website to get a full view on how HARMAN helps people get the most out of each moment they spend listening:
Instagram @audiotalkspodcast
Instagram @HARMAN_intl
Facebook @HARMANint
LinkedIn @HARMAN International
https://artoflistening.harman.com/
Audio Podcast
Video Podcast
About TAG Strategic
TAG Strategic is a digital entertainment consulting firm focused on leveraging our collective experience and expertise in building relationships, identifying market opportunities, growing brands, and defining best practices for the entertainment, technology and mobile industries.
We provide expert strategy, guidance, market intelligence, product ideation, business modeling and business development services to multinational companies and select emerging businesses. TAG delivers market leadership and sustainable, defensible advantage in the dynamic and rapidly evolving global marketplace.
TAG Strategic has over 30 years of experience with the New Media and Entertainment space. Every year, we attend every major Digital Entertainment event around the world, in the capacity of either Chairperson, Keynote speaker, Panelist or Delegate.
TAG Strategic is a combination Swiss Army knife and pocket field guide to the digital and mobile industries. We provide expert consulting services to established and emerging companies operating at the intersection of technology and entertainment.
More info: tagstrategic.com
About HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things.
With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world.
More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems.
Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile.
HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
More info: HARMAN.com
Audio Talks
A podcast on all things audio presented to you by HARMAN and our family of audio brands including JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG. Host Oisin Lunny, music journalist and audio enthusiast, will interview expert guests, legends of the music industry, and audio scientists to discuss the power of music and audio in all its facets.
Audio Talks is presented by Harman.
To view all of the Audio Talks podcast episodes click here.
For more podcasts click here.
