Institutions/Record Labels

1. INSTITUTIONS
BY EMMA J DAVIS

2. What is a record label?
A record label is a trademark that is associated with the marketing of music
recordings and videos. Within the music industry, artists are traditionally reliant
on the record label upon which they are signed to, to extend their audience base.
The term ‘record label’ descends from the circular label which is presented in the
centre of a vinyl record that notably displays the manufacturers name and other
key information.

3. The role of a record label:
• Publishing Company
• Production Coordinator
• Manufacturer
• Distributor
• Marketer
• Promoter
• Enforcement of Copyright
• Maintains contracts with recording artist and managers

4. Major Record Labels
A major record label is where the
label is part of a large international
media group that owns its own
distribution channel. However,
research shows that as of 2012, there
are only three big major record labels;
Universal Music Group, Sony Music
Entertainment and Warner Music
Group.

5. Example: Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the only American major record label and
multinational entertainment conglomerate worldwide. It is one of
just three major labels and is the third largest in the global music
industry. Formerly owned by Time Warner, the company was
publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange until it was
privatised in July 2011. Warner Music successfully owns and
operates some of the largest record labels in the world including;
Warner Bros. Records and Atlantic Records. Artists signed to this
label consist of; Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Frank Sinatra, Foreigner
and Michael Bublé.

6. Independent Record Labels
An independent record label is a label that operates
outside without the funding of major record labels.
Stretching as far back as the Post-War period in the
United States. Independent labels have a long history
of beckoning developments in popular music. As result
of disputes with major record labels about publishing,
there was a proliferation of labels specialising in
Blues, Jazz and Country. Independent record labels
include; Big Machine Records, Warp Records and Lyric
Street Records.

7. Example: Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an independent American record label
that specifies in Country and Pop artists. This record label was
launched in September 2005 by former DreamWorks Records
executive, Scott Borchetta. This initially became a joint venture
between Borchetta and Country artist Toby Keith and is
distributed by Universal Music Group. Artists signed to Big
Machine Records consist of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Rascal
Flatts.