The news of the Miles Davis Movie starring and directed by Don Cheadle finally getting the green light – after years and years of development hell – is a few months old. And yet, this news, big news in the world of Miles Davis, is not mentioned anywhere on the official Miles Davis website.
This strikes me as odd.
If one is to believe MilesDavis.com is the online hub for the brand, then it would seem that the official site should be exploding with excitement that the film project is moving forward.
A project, let’s not forget, with the full backing from the Miles Davis Estate – more specifically, Davis’ three heirs who oversee all business matters related to the jazz legend: his son Erin, his daughter, Cheryl, and their cousin Vince Wilburn Jr.
So why the disconnect? Not even a link to a news story – and there were plenty of news stories about the Miles Davis Movie, known as “Kill the Trumpet Player”, finally getting the go-ahead.
Even if the official website is managed by Sony, why not have info posted on the homepage?
The truth is that while MilesDavis.com is a serviceable official website, it’s really not that good – or particularly useful. It’s greatest attribute is that it features the most desirable of the Miles Davis web domain names. It ranks #1 on Google for ‘Miles Davis’, and that’s nothing to sneeze at.
But it is not an all-encompassing online hub, which is something we try to be around here at Miles Davis Online. But MilesDavis.com has the estate support, and Sony and the vaults and lord knows what else, so it’s upsetting to think how mediocre the website is when it could be something terrific.
Kobalt Music Group just signed a huge deal with the estate to administer the entire catalog of the late jazz icon.
Key line: “Kobalt… aims to “develop new creative opportunities” as well as tap Davis’ works for use in films, television, advertising and other media.”
One can only hope “other media” includes the world wide web.
I have gone on ad neaseum about all the cool entertainment and business opportunities that can be built for a robust official website. (A Miles Davis iPhone App Would Be Nice)
There is terrific opportunity to be creative and produce engaging content, while generating revenue. It could be a win-win for all.
But for some reason the ‘Internet’ side of the Miles Davis Business is shoved off to the side – at least right now.
I have zero info as to what is really going on behind the scenes, but the official website has not been good for a long long time, so it’s not as if this is a new issue. Becasue I want it to be so good, so much a true portal for ‘All Things Miles Davis’, that I get over-excited about the situation.
Miles Davis Online has been around for a lot of years now, and I have worked hard to create a smart, creative web endeavor focused on Miles Davis.
I can only dream about the possibilities if I had the incredible resources of the Miles Davis Estate, along with the music labels, to produce a truly spectacular ‘official’ website.
Becasue the official website resides with Sony, there is no ‘voice’ associated with the product. It is merely an adequate, corporate website for Miles Davis. There’s no passion baked in. It’s just a basic set-up that’s been outdated for years now. They have produced some cool design contests and other interactive projects – but the website overall (usability, design, functionality) is just not where it needs to be.
I don’t think that’s good enough, not with an iconic, worldwide brand such as Miles Davis.
It does not need to be something extravagant. No one expects the Wall Street Journal of official websites, but there is most definitely a better strategy for building a solid brand online for Miles Davis.
Onward and upward.
miles davis online 
It is a very poor site – has been from the beginning – at least you can buy a t shirt or a baseball cap.
Miles would be proud