The document discusses the music industry and record labels. It describes the three major record labels - Universal Music Group, Sony, and Warner Music Group. It explains that these labels are part of larger media conglomerates and own many smaller subsidiary labels. This allows them to specialize in different genres and artists. The document also discusses how new technology has impacted the industry by allowing artists to self-publish and promote using sites like YouTube, Spotify, and social media. Some artists are now very successful without a major label.

1. Music IndustryMusic Industry
There are 3 posts here:There are 3 posts here:
Slides 2-9 on the record labelsSlides 2-9 on the record labels
Slides 10-12 on New TechnologySlides 10-12 on New Technology
A slide about how to promote your artistA slide about how to promote your artist

2. Record LabelsRecord Labels
The Big ThreeThe Big Three

3. Record Labels – The Big 3Record Labels – The Big 3
 Universal Music Group - UMGUniversal Music Group - UMG
(Vivendi are parent group)(Vivendi are parent group)
 Sony (BMG Music Entertainment)Sony (BMG Music Entertainment)
 Warner Music Group (Access areWarner Music Group (Access are
parent group)parent group)
 All are part ofAll are part of MEDIAMEDIA
CONGLOMERATESCONGLOMERATES

4. Universal Music GroupUniversal Music Group
 Part of Vivendi who bought EMI in 2012Part of Vivendi who bought EMI in 2012
(which was considered a major)(which was considered a major)
 Owns Vevo (YouTube)Owns Vevo (YouTube)
 Owns the following smaller recordOwns the following smaller record
labels: Geffen, Interscope, Island,labels: Geffen, Interscope, Island,
Motown, EMI, Def JamMotown, EMI, Def Jam
 Artists signed to Universal includeArtists signed to Universal include
Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, AdeleKanye West, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Adele

5. SonySony
 Giant electronics company, also ownsGiant electronics company, also owns
film/television studios and recordfilm/television studios and record
labels:labels:
Arista, Columbia, Epic, J, Jive, RCAArista, Columbia, Epic, J, Jive, RCA
 Artisit include: Beyonce, Maria Carey, MichaelArtisit include: Beyonce, Maria Carey, Michael
Jackson, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Britney SpearsJackson, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Britney Spears

6. Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group
 Part of Time-Warner, a global mediaPart of Time-Warner, a global media
conglomerate, which includes AOL,conglomerate, which includes AOL,
HBO, New Line Cinema, TurnerHBO, New Line Cinema, Turner
Broadcasting (CNN), and Warner Bros.Broadcasting (CNN), and Warner Bros.
 Time Warner is involved in magazineTime Warner is involved in magazine
publishing, film and televisionpublishing, film and television
production, internet, cable TV, andproduction, internet, cable TV, and
music.music.

7. Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group
 About 20 record labelsAbout 20 record labels
 Atlantic Records Group (includes Elektra)Atlantic Records Group (includes Elektra)
 Asylum, East West (so called Indies)Asylum, East West (so called Indies)
 Rhino Records,Rhino Records,
 RykodiskRykodisk
 Warner Bros. (includes Reprise and Sire)Warner Bros. (includes Reprise and Sire)
 Also WEA and Warner/ Chappell MusicAlso WEA and Warner/ Chappell Music
 Artists signed: Ed Sheerin, Madonna, Coldplay,Artists signed: Ed Sheerin, Madonna, Coldplay,
Wiz Khalefa and Jason DeruloWiz Khalefa and Jason Derulo

8. Why do Conglomerates own andWhy do Conglomerates own and
keep so many companies?keep so many companies?
 It isnIt isn’’t just Big is beautiful (and more powerful),t just Big is beautiful (and more powerful),
the structure works both ways with recordthe structure works both ways with record
companies. As well as being part of much largercompanies. As well as being part of much larger
companies able to absorb costs, they also owncompanies able to absorb costs, they also own
lots of smaller companies themselves.lots of smaller companies themselves.
 What might be the reasoning behind this? i.e.What might be the reasoning behind this? i.e.
Why do you think Universal has other labels ?Why do you think Universal has other labels ?
 Specialisation in markets,Specialisation in markets, ““locallocal”” knowledge, ease ofknowledge, ease of
management, to take advantage of new artists andmanagement, to take advantage of new artists and
opportunitiesopportunities

9. IndependentsIndependents
 AlthoughAlthough ““indieindie”” now refers to a style of music, it has itnow refers to a style of music, it has it’’ss
origin in the termorigin in the term ““independent labelindependent label””. Independent labels. Independent labels
previously were seen as an alternative to big labels. Theypreviously were seen as an alternative to big labels. They
had a reputation for music that was less commercial andhad a reputation for music that was less commercial and
more artistically interesting.more artistically interesting.
 Independent labels still dominate a significant percentageIndependent labels still dominate a significant percentage
of the marketof the market
 Some of the reasons for going on anSome of the reasons for going on an ““indie labelindie label”” wouldwould
be…..be…..
 greater creative control. Deciding who you work with creating music,greater creative control. Deciding who you work with creating music,
how you shoot your videos,how you shoot your videos, when you tour etcwhen you tour etc

10. Now on a separate post discussNow on a separate post discuss
New Technology and MusicNew Technology and Music
 Changes in technology in recent years haveChanges in technology in recent years have
made it much easier for artists to reach outmade it much easier for artists to reach out
directly to the public.directly to the public.
 Record labels are no seen longer as a necessityRecord labels are no seen longer as a necessity
 Anyone with access to the internet can put theirAnyone with access to the internet can put their
own music onown music on Spotify, Soundcloud,, Youtube andSpotify, Soundcloud,, Youtube and
iTunesiTunes
 They can promote itThey can promote it via Twitter, Facebook and othervia Twitter, Facebook and other
social networking sitessocial networking sites

11. Do you need a record label at all?Do you need a record label at all?
 There are some music ’stars’ who have noThere are some music ’stars’ who have no
record label contracts of any sort but rely onrecord label contracts of any sort but rely on
revenue from YouTube, concerts and streamingrevenue from YouTube, concerts and streaming
servicesservices
 Tyler Ward is one such starTyler Ward is one such star
 Other artists rely on branding/ image rightsOther artists rely on branding/ image rights
(Rhianna) as well as concert income (Rolling(Rhianna) as well as concert income (Rolling
Stones) as much as actual sales of musicStones) as much as actual sales of music

12. Some facts your blogSome facts your blog
 When did YouTube start ?When did YouTube start ?
 When did Spotify begin ?When did Spotify begin ?
 When did downloads become part of the chartsWhen did downloads become part of the charts
and streaming become an indicationand streaming become an indication
 What is bigger down – streaming orWhat is bigger down – streaming or
downloading ?downloading ?
 What was Napster – why was it seen as such aWhat was Napster – why was it seen as such a
threat to the music industrythreat to the music industry
 Has the music industry overcome the threat ofHas the music industry overcome the threat of
downloading ?downloading ?

13. On a separate post…On a separate post…
 You should consider whether your artist will beYou should consider whether your artist will be
signed to a major – and have the budget behindsigned to a major – and have the budget behind
them to succeedthem to succeed
 Or or an independent or subsidiaryOr or an independent or subsidiary
 In either case name the labelIn either case name the label
 OR you might have them promoting themselvesOR you might have them promoting themselves
though a website, social media, YouTube, athough a website, social media, YouTube, a
streaming service (say which one) a concert tourstreaming service (say which one) a concert tour