Nothing Succeeds like Success, and other WOM truths

Interesting article today on the popularity of music. The results of a new study showed that, when people are aware of what others consider to be good, cool or interesting, it propels that thing to popularity. The experiment was around 'hit' songs. A group of teens were given access to a music download site with a selection of songs from unknown bands.

The group was split in two: one group could see the choices made by others, the other group could not. The song that ranked number one on the communal site came in a dismal 40th on the individual site.

Amazing, the power of influence. It's been said that some products are hits because of the marketing. That may be a thing of the past. The next wave will that things are hits because of their public endorsements.