Reviews, Interviews, and Commentaries

“A riveting and vital expose of the transformation of female artists into pop stars and brands. With expert research, dramatic examples, and powerful writing, Kristin Lieb pulls back the curtain of the music industry and reveals the damage done to all women by the exploitation and objectification of a few.”

Jean Kilbourne, Senior Scholar, Wellesley Center for Women, and creator of the film series Killing Us Softly

“In 2013, Gender, Branding, and the Modern Music Industry immersed us in a pop music Slough of Despond, a place populated by branders, packagers, and synergists who exploit talented female musicians by swaddling them in the industrial norms of gender and sexuality in the pursuit of profit. A lot has happened since then, and Kristin Lieb describes it in this new edition with her usual scholarly sophistication and unpretentious readability. This remains the most complete and insightful treatment of the subject.”

Robert Thompson, Syracuse University, Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, Director

“A lucid and energetic writer, skillful in synthesizing theory with interviews, Lieb delivers an acute study on the development of female pop stars. The book will resonate with both scholars and students.”

Dr. Thomas M. Kitts, Professor of English and Speech, St. John’s University, reviewing for Rock Music Studies

“Gender, Branding, and the Modern Music Industry offers timely, relevant means for students to engage with issues of gender, sexualization, exploitation and more. Lieb successfully juxtaposes lyrics and imagery with theoretical concepts from branding, mass communications, and sociology, all while tracing the lifecycle of female pop stars. Replete with good girls, temptresses, and whores, this book will resonate with students.”

Carol M. Liebler, Communication, Syracuse University

“Mixing insightful marketing communication and astute cultural analysis, Kristin Lieb’s tracing out of the lifecycle of female artists within the contemporary music industry will be of much interest to fans and scholars alike. Using interviews with industry insiders, the book reveals the careful work and positioning that lies behind the creation of the public persona of the female musician—and how negotiating culturally dominant notions of sexuality is key to understanding who gets to have a marketplace presence, and thus, literally, a voice in our cultural lives. Theoretically sophisticated and readable, this is a fine work of synthesis and originality.”

Sut Jhally, Communication, University of Massachusetts and Executive Director of the Media Education Foundation

“Gender, Branding, and The Modern Music Industry is the first text to demonstrate the impact of branding and packaging on the career trajectories and possibilities for female pop artists. I can’t wait to bring Kristin Lieb’s industry experience, insider access, lucid analysis, and well-chosen examples into my classes on gender and popular music.”

Norma Coates, Music and Information & Media Studies, University of Western Ontario

“The integration of marketing theory and communication theory is a significant contribution that will benefit students in both fields. Lieb’s approach results in a text useful for courses in a range of departments, whether it is communication, business, or gender studies. Although not specifically mentioned, an additional audience for this text may be principles of advertising classes. This book will challenge some of the assumptions that may guide such curriculum, but nevertheless are important for students to consider as they prepare to enter the advertising profession.”

Barbara A. Pickering, University of Nebraska at Omaha