Organisations in the Music Industry Flashcards
What is a venue?
A place. It could be small or large, inside or outside. Music venues often include pubs, clubs, bars, theatres, arenas and stadiums.
What is a touring production?
A band/artist/show which tours around, playing in a different venue each night
What is a record label?
An organisation which makes and sells songs and develops the artists career
What is a publishing company?
An organisation that collects and distributes royalties to the songwriters and organises licences for anyone who wishes to use the song
What does the PRS do?
They collect money for the songwriter whenever the song is played or performed in public
What does PRS stand for?
Performing Rights Society
What does MCPS stand for?
Mechanical Copyright Protection Society
What does the MCPS do?
They collect money for the songwriter whenever the song is reproduced eg as a CD or downloadable track
What does MU stand for?
Musicians Union
What is Equity?
A union which represents actors and performers
What does BECTU do?
Represent people working in broadcasting, media and entertainment
What does BECTU stand for?
Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union
What is a broadcasting company?
A company which communicates information to the public via TV, radio or the internet
What does PPL stand for?
Phonographic Performance Limited
What does PPL Licensing do?
Licenses the right to perform sound recordings & collects royalties for record companies & performers on recordings.
Every time a recording of a song is played or sold, PPL ensures the performer of the song (and their record company) gets paid royalties
What does “Management” do?
- Works on behalf the artist (or band) to promote their career
- Runs their business affairs
- Secure the best financial rewards for their clients so they can concentrate on making music
List the different types of management involved with artists.
Tour manager, Production Manager, Technical Manager, Business Manager, Road Manager.
Purpose of company/agency and what do they do?
They all play a role in the careers of recording artists, record producers, songwriters and musicians
Why are managers important?
A band, musician or artist could not develop without their expertise and contacts (networking).
Advantages and disadvantages for musicians working with management?
A - You can give ideas of what you want to achieve as an artist, and they can use this to guide your career.
D - Sometimes managers can take over and they cost money.
List three things PR (Public Relations) do for the artist.
- Promote a new release or artist to the media
- Liaise with labels and the media to get album reviews & profile of the band with interviews
- Generate as much publicity as possible
List the different types of public relation agencies involved with artists.
Counsellors, PR Officer, Press relations, Publicity, Plugging, Promotion.
Advantages and disadvantages for musicians working with public relations.
A - Good reviews, profile and coverage from experts.
A - PR company logos can carry a lot of extra weight in the Music Industry.
D – Expensive, and often very busy
List three things that Agents do for the artist.
- Liaise with bands/artist to agree on tour dates and requirements of tour as well as goals (promoting a new album for example)
- Take care of financial and logistic requirements
- Contact promoters and venues to pitch the bands and agree on performance dates.
- Arrange contracts with promoters regarding pay and equipment.
How do unions represent their members?
- Negotiate contracts on behalf of musicians
- Tackle issues raised by musicians when there are employment disputes
- Give advice & support regarding copyright protection or unpaid fees
- Make sure working conditions are acceptable
- Advise on tax and self-employment
- Assist members throughout their careers by networking
- Lobby government to protect their members’ interests with legislation
Name three major recording company Labels
Universal Music Group
Sony Music Entertainment
Warner Music Group
Advantages of signing to a major label
Money (massive companies, they have a huge financial advantage and big budgets)
Experienced at promotion on a large scale, lots of industry connections
Large size so get the best deals on manufacturing (the more CDs produced, the lower price per unit)
Advertising & links to broadcast media
Disadvantages of signing to a major label
It can be difficult for artists to stand out in such a big pool of artists
Artist unfriendly deals (multi album deals, label gets a higher percentage of money taken)
They are more mass media driven (artists get less say in what they write and perform!)
Examples of Independent “indie” labels
Southern Fried Records (created by Fatboy Slim for House Music)
XL Recordings
Domino Records
Advantages of signing to an “indie” label
They cater to the artist more, and are more interested in and PASSIONATE about their music
More artist-friendly contracts
Close personal relationships (you get to speak to someone on the end of the phone!)
Disadvantages of signing to an “indie” label
Lack of funds
Less publicity & promotion
Less contacts with mass media / connections within the industry
Less money for tours and events
What does a music publisher do?
A Music Publisher owns or administers copyrights in songs and licenses them to companies and other entities that use music, such as record labels, radio stations and advertisers.
Why? To make money!
The Publisher then collects the license fee, keeps a small cut (percentage) and pays the rest to the songwriters (or their heirs, if they have died).
What does a music publisher own?
A Music Publisher controls the copyright to the words and music of a song, NOT the original recording of the song - Recordings are generally owned by record labels.
Advantages of a major publishing company
Large Distribution Networks (increases sales)
Quality of design, marketing and promotion
Regular payment
Disadvantages of a major publishing company
Artists usually need to go through an agent (you have to get one and it costs money!)
Harder to have music published when the company is large
More editing to your original work (does it look and sound like you intended it to?)
Advantages of Self-publishing (eg online)
Don’t need to go through an agent (you can send your work directly to them)
You are more in control with the editing process
Can be a stepping stone to a larger company
May cater for a specific genre that is different.
Disadvantages of self-publishing
Less marketing & promotion
Less pay
Not the same possibilities of distribution of your work.
