His Master's Voice
Published on 29. June 2023
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-915635-19-8 (ISBN)
Description
His Master's Voice is the inspiring true story of Brian McLaughlin's 38-year career rising through the ranks at iconic record store HMV, and the personal journey that saw him become one of the most successful business leaders in the UK.
With no topic off the table, Brian intimately details his turbulent childhood and the journey that took him from a shop floor assistant with a passion for music, to the MD of a brand that redefined the high street and revolutionised the way millions experienced music.
During his time as MD, HMV became the most profitable and most successful music retailer in the world, with over one million customers visiting an HMV store each week during its peak. The chain of stores defined multiple decades of music exploration, rewrote the rulebook for retail and changed the record industry forever, turning the once humble record store into a cultural phenomenon.
Throughout His Master's Voice, Brian speaks openly and honestly about his life, career and success - providing a refreshing tell-all account of how he built up a business in the face of adversity, the role luck has played in his life, and the work that went into the brand's unforgettable ascent to the top.
There are tales of loss and broken family ties, industry-changing moments, boardroom showdowns, big brand rivalries, and battles against all odds, with the books' pages packed full of incomparable life lessons and insider secrets that are being shared for the very first time.
With no topic off the table, Brian intimately details his turbulent childhood and the journey that took him from a shop floor assistant with a passion for music, to the MD of a brand that redefined the high street and revolutionised the way millions experienced music.
During his time as MD, HMV became the most profitable and most successful music retailer in the world, with over one million customers visiting an HMV store each week during its peak. The chain of stores defined multiple decades of music exploration, rewrote the rulebook for retail and changed the record industry forever, turning the once humble record store into a cultural phenomenon.
Throughout His Master's Voice, Brian speaks openly and honestly about his life, career and success - providing a refreshing tell-all account of how he built up a business in the face of adversity, the role luck has played in his life, and the work that went into the brand's unforgettable ascent to the top.
There are tales of loss and broken family ties, industry-changing moments, boardroom showdowns, big brand rivalries, and battles against all odds, with the books' pages packed full of incomparable life lessons and insider secrets that are being shared for the very first time.
Reviews / Votes
'A natural leader and a huge inspiration' -- Eric Nicoli, former EMI Group ChairmanMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-915635-19-8 (9781915635198)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Brian McLaughlin (b. 1949) is a British businessman who served as MD of HMV during the peak of the chain's success. Born in Portsmouth and sent away to a Catholic school against his choosing, Brian left school at fourteen and got his first job in the same year. Working his way up the company's ladder, Brian spent thirty-eight years there before moving to Waterstones ahead of his retirement in 2005. Brian has been the recipient of multiple industry awards during his career, including the Music Week Strat Award, The Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Chairman's Award and The Music Industry Trust award, with previous recipients including Sir George Martin, Sir Elton John, John Barry OBE, Roger Daltry CBE and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.