Expert Advisory: The Orchard CEO on Innovative Album Release Strategies

Topic: Why artists choose to make surprise album releases; what benefits do this and other innovative release strategies offer; will we continue to see more of this trend?

Commentator/Guest: Brad Navin, CEO, The Orchard (NYC-based). Navin heads the 250 person international music, film and TV distribution company and has a 20-year history of leadership in the entertainment distribution world.

Context: Two of 2015's biggest albums so far were surprise releases from Drake and Kendrick Lamar. And they aren't alone; albums from A-list artists including Thom Yorke, U2 and Beyonce, among others, have all arrived with little notice over the past few years, and as the number of outlets to consume music grows exponentially and release days shift to Fridays, we're seeing many innovative approaches to the traditional album release -- from digital-only, to windowing, to lavish box sets. Is it as simple as just making the music available or is there more to it?

Read more about Brad Navin and The Orchard in Billboard's Corner Office.