Never underestimate the power of Taylor Swift.
Less than 24 hours after Taylor roasted Apple in an open letter for not paying artists during a three month trial, Apple have agreed to pay artists.
Taylor wrote an open letter complaining of the company’s policy regarding not paying artists during their three month free trial period for their new Apple Music service.
In the letter the artist wrote about her respect for Apple and all it does, but cited her annoyance at the new policy that would leave struggling artists out of pocket. Taylor also outlined her intentions to withhold her album 1989 from the service.
Following the letter, which was widely published, Apple’s Senior Vice President of internet software and services Eddy Cue tweeted this morning:
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period — Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
His tweets were retweeted by Apple Music and Itunes ensuring the message got across to its fans. Taylor might get a few open letters of her own, thanks to her defiant stance, we’re sure there are a lot of grateful indie artists out there today.
I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015
And Taylor’s powers of persuasion are apparently in hot demand since her recent success.
Sorry @taylorswift13 – Greece won’t pay their bit and are in danger of collapsing the Eurozone. Could you write them a letter & sort please?
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) June 22, 2015
Hat-tip to recode