Task 1.14: Record Label Case Study It is estimated that record companies invest around $4.3 billion worldwide, each year, into artist’s and repertoire alongside marketing – around 27% of industry revenue. All of the world’s major labels combined have roughly 7500 artists, with tens of thousands more being signed by independent labels. The entire music industry relies on finding new talented artists that sell. Major Record Labels: Major labels are normally broken down into majors and regional majors. Some majors include A&M Records, Columbia Records, Universal Music Group and Sony Music. These are big companies, which operate around the world and often buy smaller companies and regional majors so that they have more of an influence in different areas. Most regional majors are owned by a bigger company, which usually own multiple companies. An example of this is Polydor LTD, which is a British label, which was founded in Germany in 1924, however it is owned by the Universal Music Group, and by working closely with Universal, they release their music in the United States. Some artists signed by Polydor include The Beatles and Ellie Goulding. Being signed by a major label means that you get a lot of promotion and often leads to big success, however some labels are very controlling and only let artists release certain tracks or work within certain conditions, which often stifles creativity and causes artists to stop work entirely. Indie Record Labels: Indie record labels operate without any assistance or funding from larger record labels or external companies. Indie labels make up around 25% of the UK music market and most artists and bands start out being signed by independent labels, and if they are successful enough, potentially then move onto bigger labels. Traditionally, Majors have their own method of distributing their signed music, however may have to rely on signing deals or international agreements with major labels. Sometimes, major labels may partially or fully purchase and acquire indie labels, for example Domino Records, V2 Records and Ninja Tune. Other usually independent record labels are started and often run by artists who have been signed by major labels. These labels are normally created to give extra promotion to established artists or to promote new talent. An example of an Indie label is NCS, or No Copyright Sounds. Indie record labels often allow their artists to work as they want, within very few limitations, however indie labels usually don't attract as much attention as major labels. Unsigned Artists:
In recent years, there have been more examples than ever of artists who have achieved mainstream success even though they have no support from any record label. To achieve this, the artists would have had to put in a huge amount of effort and creativity so that they could put themselves in a position where they could attract public attention. There are few ways that these artists can promote themselves, and most rely on music or video sharing websites such as audiotool, soundcloud and youtube, it is however, extremely difficult, in most cases, for artists to gain attention this way due to the massive amount of others using these methods, including major artists. Linda Chorney was an artist who managed to get nominated at the Grammys by introducing her album to the recording academy through its Grammy365 website. Another example is Merton “the piano guy” who achieved massive publicity through his chatroulette music video. Unsigned artists have no limitations to what they create, however, they have no source of promotion and have to promote themselves, most unsigned artists attract little to no attention.
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