The document provides an overview of the structure and key sectors of the music industry. It discusses the dominance of the "big four" major record labels (Sony, Warner, Universal, EMI) and how they operate as an oligopoly. Students will learn about the major labels and complete a group research task analyzing one of the major labels to understand how they operate. They will also research artists from major and independent labels for a case study presentation.

1. :
titu tions
es & Ins ustry
ienc sic Ind
Aud e Mu
The aims of today’s lesson
Th
To get an overview of the structure of the music
industry
To gain an understanding of how the ‘big four’ operate,
as well as the independent labels
To begin the record label group task

2. :
titu tions
es & Ins ustry By the end of the lesson...
ienc sic Ind
Aud e Mu
Th
You should all be able to:
Describe the main sectors in the music industry
Explain the difference between major and independent labels
Discuss the major labels using the terms oligopoly and conglomerate
Give detailed examples from one record label to back up discussion of
how they operate

3. In pairs
Write down at least four different jobs you can think of in
connection with the music business e.g. concert promoter,
manager, etc.

4. Industry Overview
The Music Industry is made up of many people and organisations:
The composers, musicians, and performers
The companies and professionals who record and sell music (e.g. music
publishers, producers, studios, engineers, record labels, retailers and online
music stores)
Those that organise and present live music performances (e.g. booking
agents, promoters, music venues, road crew)
Professionals who assist musicians with their music careers (e.g. talent
managers, business managers, entertainment lawyers)
Those who broadcast music (e.g. radio and TV producers, presenters)
...and all sorts of other people (e.g. instrument manufacturers, music
critics, etc.

5. Industry Overview
We can divide the music industry into key sectors:
Publishing
Technology Live
Development Events
Recorded Broadcastin
Music g
It is a vast industry but is largely controlled by the record
companies...

6. Industry Overview
The music industry is dominated by the ‘big four’ or the
music majors (this is changing to the ‘big 3’ as we speak):
Market share
data from 2005
(Until recently)

7. Industry Overview
• According to an IFPI report published in August 2006 the big
four accounted for 71.7% of retail music sales
• This means that they operate in an oligopoly where a few
companies control the market.
• These companies are designed to reach the maximum
audience and therefore will also have subsidiary companies
that will deal with niche tastes as well as mainstream. For
example, Universal also own Verve which are a specialist
Jazz music company

8. Industry Overview
Other than EMI , the majors
are part of Conglomerates.
Conglomerates are made up of
numerous companies and are
multi-industry, owning companies
that are not part of the music
industry.
This makes these companies increasingly dominant.
For example Sony Corporation is a
major conglomerate that owns Sony
Music – in pairs, list as many Sony
products or companies as you can.

9. Industry Overview
Independents
•These companies operate separately from the majors and often
specialise in music genres and may cater for niche audiences.
•Domino is now one of the most successful independent record
labels in the UK.
•Artists include:
•Often, labels you think are independent are actually subsidiaries
of a major label. Can you think of any labels that might be
independent?

10. Before you get on to your group research tasks...
Here is your homework task tbd by Mon 19th March
• Do some research into the artists and bands you like – find out
which label they are with and if they are independent or part of a
major label.
• Select an artist/band from a major label to use for your first case
study.
• Select an artist/band from an independent label to use for your
second case study.
• Start a Prezi/Ppt./blog post in which to build up your case study
information. Include the following information:
– Name the artist/band
– State which label(s) they are with and if it is part of a larger group or
conglomerate
– Give some examples of other artists/bands with the same label.

11. Group research task
1. Find your group
2. Access my ‘Music Industry’ view on Mahara
3. Download the relevant research task sheet for your
group (EMI / Sony / Warner / Universal / XL)
4. Carry out the research (divide the work up between you)
5. Create a presentation to show findings (Ppt. or Prezi).
6. You will be presenting this to the rest of the class.

12. :
titu tions
es & Ins ustry Recap...
ienc sic Ind
Aud e Mu
Th
You should all be able to:
Describe the main sectors in the music industry
Explain the difference between major and independent labels
Discuss the major labels using the terms oligopoly and conglomerate
Give detailed examples from one record label to back up discussion of
how they operate