I am going to be looking at the music publishing companies universal Music Group, Inc. (MUG), one of the biggest major labels in the music industry and Beggars Group Limited, (BAG), a powerful UK Independent label. MUG own and administrate VIVO and in recent news Google Inc. Is reportedly looking said that it will include a renewal agreement that will see VIVO distributing millions of music clips and videos on Youth, (Universal Music Group, Inc. Key Developments, Google Reportedly Eyes VIVO, Jan 17 2013).
In other news MUG have announced a new CEO for all the global operations outside of the US. Max Hole (new CEO) will be responsible for additional key markets including the UK and will administrate universals classical music business. Max Hole has been Instrumental In attracting artists such as Taylor Swift and Queen to MUG, (Universal Music Group, Inc. Key Developments, Universal Music Group, Inc. Promotes Max Hole as Chairman and CEO of Its Global operations outside US, Jan 7 2013). In a recent press release BAG claim that its artists are now earning more from treating tracks than actual downloads.
The BAG chairman Martin Mills has stated that 22% of the labels digital revenues came from streaming in 2012 and the majority of its artists for example Adele have earned more from streaming than from digital downloads, (Business Matters. Beggars Group. By Glenn Peoples Jan 7 2013). MUG are currently reigning as the top major distributor finishing the first half of 2012 with a 30% share of the market. Mug’s share rose when they got eight albums in the top 20 charts. Sony was close competition for MUG having a 29% share and
Sony also beat Mug’s share with full album distribution, (Universal Music Group Tops Sony To Lead 2012 Mold-Year by Deed Christmas,July 5 2012). BAG are a powerful independent label that have four other Indies working underneath them, though concern from chairman Martin Mills has grown as MUG bought MI. Have gone to MUG there are only three major labels left. Martin Mills states there are only really two as Warner are no real match for MUG or Sony and because of this it will become harder for Indies who own a small fraction of the market to compete, music week, Martin Mills’ Universal/MI Senate testimony in full, June 22nd 2012).
As an artist signing to MUG would be beneficial as they are the global music leader with strong market positions and have a massive financial backing. The Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPS) is the global leader in music publishing and also plays a major role in film and TV, administering the likes of Universal Studios, Warner Brow. , Trademarks and many more. MUG also own and run VIVO, which is the world’s largest music video platform. VIVO is available in most countries and can be accessed on computers, smartness/TV’s and tablets (Universal Music Group, Overview 2013).
Though MUG is an extremely powerful label signing to them would have its cons. Major labels tend to sign a lot of artists, so an artist may then find them selves fighting for attention from the label as there won’t be a close personal working relationship like what most Indies offer, We are extremely proud of our roster of artists and are uniquely placed to work in close partnership with some of the most exciting and innovative labels in the world’ (Beggarliness. Com, 2013).
The majority of ajar label deals are artist unfriendly deals which normally concern a multi-album contract that offer little flexibility and than entail handing over a lot of creative control, (Major Record Label Deals: Pros and Cons by Heather McDonald, 2013). Major labels like MUG have a massive financial backing therefore they can spend a fortune on new or current artists by providing them with high quality commercial recordings, videos, photo-shoots, and merchandise. Majors can also book and host their own heavily supported and advertised tours.
Paul Recession of Digital Music News stated “major labels are still spending between $750,000 and $1. 4 million, depending on the artist in question. ” (Music Marketing- The major label perspective, by musician coaching October 2010). Independent labels pride themselves on taking a more personal approach to marketing their artists, as they are not working underneath big corporate brands they have complete freedom. Having this freedom allows the Indies to develop artists based on what niche groups want to hear.
Indies labels work on a much more intimate level using face to face contact at live music vents to spread the word about their artists, (Marketing Plans for Indies Labels By David Ingram, Demand Media, 2013). Nine Inch Nails (INN) have taken full advantage of today’s technology by developing and releasing a free phone app, which includes fan’s INN remix submissions, all the latest and past photos of INN, a messenger service in where INN fans can chat. The already uploaded that can be instantly streamed from the app. INN have also said they will release their own playbills under the music section of the app.
This app is innovative; something modern that hasn’t been done before, it has proven successful for INN in achieving mass advertising and therefore gaining more fans and enhancing the distribution demand of their music. Though this app has proven successful it has its cons, The app has been developed to work with today’s technology and appeal to the younger generation, the older generation may find using this app difficult therefore this marketing technique fails to reach a full audience, (INN Access: Nine Inch Nails launches new phone app Arts & Entertainment, May 2, 2009 BY: Lately Duper). (972)