Media – Music Industry Introduction

Event Promoter
Event promoters would work with: Artist, record companies, publishers, agents,
production manager, artist manager, marketing expert, ticketing management.
5 important elements:

 Be capable of making decisions

 Running a team
 Take risks, expose yourself to criticism (“sticking your neck out”)
 Capable of taking financial risks, accept that money will be lost at times
 Be an upfront person, communicate with people
Concert promoter:

 Presenting talent to the public in the best way possible

 Ensure artists’ requirements are met, so that performance can be
presented in the best way possible
 Ensure people have a good overall experience (logistics: ticketing,
booking, travel. Enjoy experience)
Production Manager
Production managers work for record producers, songwriters, sound engineers,
and others. They are initially in charge of marketing to record companies and
managers, attempting to introduce clients to them, so that ties can be made. A
deal will be negotiated between them, logistically coordinated by the production
manager. Business aspects also have to be managed.
Producers may work with production managers so that they can concentrate on
music and production, and leave logistics, business and paperwork to the
production managers.
Payment is a commission-based process. Production managers earn a
percentage of the producer’s income. This primarily comes from record sales and
royalty.
Artist Manager
An artist manager firstly is in charge of most, if not all, of the business and legal
tasks involved with an artist’s career. They will provide opportunities for chosen
artists, and assist them by introducing potential clients and various contacts, who
may also be interested or in need of an artist (e.g. needing music for a film
project, or an artist to perform at an event). Managers will also give advice on
who to work with, artistic direction, audience targeting, and also logistics.
A good manager should work closely with artists, and should not try to “sell”
themselves to artists. They should not be entirely focused on money and
business, and not like “salesmen”. Managers should be personally involved with
artists, working alongside artists, whether they are playing live, or at the studio.
They should also be dedicated to a small selection of artists, instead of choosing
too many artists, and being indifferent to them.
Record companies
The core function of a record label is to find new artists, sign them onto the label,
and to develop and market them.
Typically, the A&R department is the first to see the artists perform. If they are
interested, other departments like marketing may be brought in. The departments
may have a discussion on whether or not to sign the artist, and how to develop
them (i.e. targeting audience, marketing, representation etc.) The A&R
department works closely with all other functions of the company.
The legal department first aims to come up with contract that is fair and equitable
for both the company and the band. After signing the contract, further
developments may take place.
Collecting societies:
The Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) is a UK music licensing company.
Companies like these collect money for record labels and artists when their
recordings are used (i.e. on radio, on a television show etc.)
Unlike the PRS, the PPL collects money from performance copyrights, while PRS
collects money from composition copyrights (e.g. lyrics, music are sometimes
“sampled”).
Collecting societies collect these fees from the parties using the music.
Songwriting and Composing
David Arnold suggests that, if one wishes to start making music for films, he
should first find film students, film schools, and overall filmmakers who may be
interested in having music made for their projects. It should not be expected to
get paid, but slowly, relationships between the artist and the filmmakers will be
built.
Richard Manners believes that a songwriter must have talent, the correct attitude,
and be able and willing to work hard. He also believes that the artist should be
able to communicate melody and emotion through lyrics, and as simply and as
short as possible if it is to be “radio friendly”.