Uh oh. Looks like Google Music showed up to the party wearing the same outfit as iTunes. Unfortunately for Google, the outfit looks better on iTunes. Not to mention Google brought the less attractive date (Google+).

For anyone who isn’t aware, Google recently launched its much anticipated digital music application, Google Music (original name, I know). Finally another music marketplace to rival iTunes – sounds great. But what makes Google Music different? Well, song costs are comparable to iTunes and the layout isn’t anything new. And unfortunately Google wasn’t able to get Warner Music Group to sign on the dotted line, which leaves a huge hole in their music offering (Cher, Cee Lo, Diddy, Green Day, Van Halen, to name a few). But Google knew all of this before launch, so I was curious to see how it would position itself in order to get consumers excited.

So what does make Google Music stand out? The short answer is:  Nothing. After taking a look around the application, Google Music seems to be positioning itself as the “instant-anywhere, shareable music place.” It sounds accurate, but is it unique? Let’s take a look.

1. Instant-anywhere – This is no longer ownable. Although it’s extremely important, the ability to download songs and instantly listen on any device has become an expected feature. As a player 8 years late to the game, it’s unrealistic for Google Music to position itself around this idea.
2. Shareable – This is a more interesting approach. iTunes is not known for being a social proponent, so there is some opportunity here. Google Music does have some cool share features; however, everything links to Google+, which has been a social wasteland since its launch. It also doesn’t help that Facebook’s strong partnership with Spotify seems to be changing the way people share and discover music.

All in all, Google Music isn’t giving consumers a strong enough reason to switch to their services –  just an eerily similar alternative. They have a foundation, now they just need to find their niche and own it.

My mother is obsessed with her iPhone. While she taps away on her touchscreen all day, she asks me why I don’t trade in my “clearly less superior” iPod nano (5th generation) for Apple’s newer flagship device. My typical response is that my iPod is my music device and nothing more, and that’s the way I like it, thank you very much.

But then people started using Facebook from their iPhones. Then Angry Birds became popular to play on-the-go. Now, all of my friends have started playing Words with Friends (appropriately).

But me? I’m still here with my iPod. And I’m starting to think my mom has a point.

We are approaching an age of the all-or-nothing device. Phones aren’t appealing to consumers unless they can offer Internet access, Skype capabilities, a slew of apps, e-mail, a GPS, video players, and music, just to name a few features. The basic iPod, which is only a music (and sometimes video) player, simply can’t compete anymore, and so its brand is suffering a slow demise.

The iPhone, on the other hand, is so adept at meeting every technological need that Apple is willing to let the iPod brand be exceedingly eclipsed by the iPhone brand. Why would Apple invest time and money to revive an increasingly irrelevant iPod brand, when it can minimally advertise the lucrative iPhone and garner massive earnings?

By choosing to essentially leave its iPod brand strategy alone, Apple’s sales are starting to reflect iPhone domination. Where iPod sales superseded those of iPhones by $13 million in 2010, that amount shrunk to only a $3 million difference in the first quarter of 2011. If the sales gap diminished that much in just one year, the outlook seems very favorable for iPhones.

The iPod brand’s last saving grace could be its highly established brand image. Like it or not, iPhones will always have their roots from the iPod brand, both in name and in likeness – and many people will always refer collectively to the products as “iPod” devices. Even so, it will be difficult for iPods to hold their own in the coming years against their all-encompassing, digital successors.

Contributed by Allison Meeks

Though she’s been topping the charts with hits like “Bad Romance” and “Born this Way,” Lady Gaga has claimed the #1 spot on a new list: The Forbes Celebrity 100. The 25-year-old pop sensation pushed Oprah to the #2 spot after earning $90 million in the last year. Oprah has been ranked No. 1 four times over the past seven years.

Whether you think she’s a musical genius or a Madonna rip-off, you must admit that Lady Gaga has a strong personal brand. The mere mention of her name is instantly recognized by fans and critics alike. Lady Gaga has managed to be so successful and stand out from a slew of artists and singers by creating a personal brand that resonates with consumers. She embraces her strangest qualities and presents herself as the “Mother Monster” who is too fierce to let criticism bring her down.

And her numbers reflect this. Lady Gaga’s concerts grossed $170 million and she sold an estimated 15 million albums worldwide. Her new album Born This Way hits stores later this month, but the title track is already the fastest-selling song in iTunes history, hitting one million downloads in just five days. And her “Little Monsters” (Lady Gaga fans) aren’t the only ones with deep pockets. Lady Gaga’s endorsement deals include Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable, Viva Glam, PlentyOfFish.com and a recent partnership with Starbucks.

Lady Gaga’s brand is about embracing the outcasts who are teased, just like she was. Anyone who doesn’t belong has a safe haven in Lady Gaga. She sings her personal story on stage, giving a voice to the socially disenfranchised. Lady Gaga knows her core values and plays to her strengths. She has created a unique personal brand that sets her apart from others in the music industry.

Lady Gaga made $200 million less than Oprah last year. What put her on the top was something money can’t buy: 32 million Facebook fans and over 10 million Twitter followers. Her social-media savvy is key to her success and building brand loyalty. Lady Gaga connects with her fans by tweeting all the time. It’s an important part of who she is and why she’s so famous. In the social media space, Lady Gaga trumps all celebrities, even Oprah with nearly 5.9 million Twitter followers.

With a strong personal brand, loyal fanbase and chart-topping social media presence, this monstrous brand is here to stay.

On Saturday, a Charlotte icon returned to the city’s skyline and marked the beginning of Charlotte’s Historic Preservation Month.

The JFG Special Coffee shines brightly again, now atop the VBGB Beer Hall & Garden at the North Carolina Music Factory.

The NC Music Factory was a natural fit for the 40-year-old sign because the area is made up of historic buildings that have been converted into venues for producing and enjoying music.

The JFG Coffee sign used to perch along I-277, near Bank of America Stadium. It was removed in 2009 with the hope of finding a new home and funding for its restoration. The mission to save the sign helped to spark a new campaign called Save Our Signs, which aims to preserve other vintage signs around the Queen City.

Another historic landmark benefiting from the emphasis on preservation is Reid’s Fine Foods. It’s sign at the Myers Park location was also relit over the weekend.