Why Taylor Swift succeeded where so many failed

Taylor Swift’s lightning-quick victory over Apple demonstrates how high-profile artists can use public shaming to shape the music business when even major record labels haggling behind the scenes can’t.

The biggest music companies, after months of negotiations, couldn’t convince Apple to pay royalties during a three-month trial period. Before Swift spoke up, other major artists privately threatened to pull their albums from Apple’s new service.

Armed with a best-selling album and a Tumblr account, Swift got the job done in 17 hours. Artists of a certain magnitude, such as Swift or Kanye West, can employ the universal tools of music and social media to greater effect.