'- The right music, in the right place, at the right time. That's the formula for success, says "Entertainment manager" at Color Line, Roger Eilertsen.
/ 04/11/2013 / codex– And if one of the three fails, it cuts, he adds, as if to emphasize the point. Eilertsen knows what he's talking about. He has chosen the right music for the right time and place for decades, both as a musician, a zealot in local radio and local TV, and not least as entertainment manager in Norway's largest cruise line for almost 23 years.
When you are on board one of Color Line's 6 ships, the music should be as important a part of the overall experience as the level of service, interior, lighting, cleaning and food.
– We use music to create an environment. If we want to lift the mood, we might use music with 130 beats per minute, and if we want to lower the heart rate, 80-90 beats per minute is more appropriate. It depends on what you want to achieve, he states. Those who want to enjoy the archipelago with a resting heart rate in the “Observation lounge” do so to the sound of pleasant entertainment music. In the evening, the pace and intensity are higher: – Then we like to use bands that play dance music at a fairly pleasant sound level. Especially in the middle of the week, we have many adult passengers who are not so fond of loud noise. You should be able to sit and listen, but also dance if that is what you want. When hard-working musicians take breaks, music in the same genre is played, often interspersed with Latin American rhythms. The shipping company uses a good mix of recorded and live music, based on what comes naturally in the different departments on the ships.
All the music on board Color Line is carefully selected, based on the season and guest mix, among other things. – We have a base on a music server with hand-picked music that is distributed to the different areas on the ships. We have 8 channels with different vibes. You get rock or Irish music in the pub and more calm, sophisticated music for the “a la carte”, he says. A deliberate and pleasant effect of the carefully thought-out “right” music at the right time and place is that it is noticeable in the turnover: – Good pianists make people stay longer. Then they also tend to order more good drinks. Good music creates a sense of well-being and contributes to increased turnover, there is no doubt about that, he emphasizes.
A songwriter's copyright ensures that he or she has the exclusive right to perform his or her music. If others are to use it, the copyright holder must have given permission. This is resolved through an agreement with TONO, and contact with TONO is a natural part of Eilertsen's job.
– I have had a lot of contact with TONO over the years. The dialogue has been good, but we have also had some discussions! Color Line is in a unique position, because we use music in so many different ways, and fall within both TONO tariffs. I am therefore pleased that we have come to an agreement that is very simple and straightforward for everyone to deal with, he concludes.