Production and Distribution

When the artist wants to produce and distribute his work, he has the option to chose between working with a Major Label, Independent Labe or being a self-producer and distributor.

Major LabelSony music, Universal and EMI are examples of major labels. Well known artists such as Lady Gaga or One Direction decided to work with them. They benefit from a higher publicity in the music industry. This is due to the various ways that the major label companies distribute their music videos such as using the online platforms eg. Youtube where a vast audience can get access to.

Independent LabelCompanies that work as an independent label do not benefit from a higher revenue. This puts them in a disadvantage as they don’t have enough income to create a global advertisement as major labels do. However, they like to focus more on the way the music video is created and if it meets its potential. Online platforms are again brought up as they are the main source of distribution.

Self-producers and distributors This is when the artists want to distribute their own work. It allows them to have the full control and rights over the music video. Also, all the revenue will go to them. On the other hand, it will limit the opportunity of sharing the music video with a larger audience. In the long run , this affects their plan of creating music as they will not have a larger demand due to the small audience number.

Sony MusicIt was founded in 1929 by smaller record companies which eventually became Sony Music Entertainment enterprise.Nowadays, it has the headquarters in New York and owns Vevo which it is a big online platform where the audience can access music video across the globe. Sony decided to diverge it purpose and it started creating mobile games such as Rockin’ Goat and movies ‘Cadillac Records’. SME has several record labels such as Columbia Records, Epic Records , RCA Records and RED Associated Labels. From movies like Cadillac Records, SME profit increased due to the synergy between the artist and the movie. Well known artists as Britney Spears, Calvin Harris and One Direction collaborate with SME.

Universal Music GroupIt was founded in 1934 as Decca Records USA where it converged with the film studio Universal Pictures. Its headquarter is in New York City. It is the largest of the ‘Big Four’ record companies.Key people : Ceo : Lucian Grainge It is owned by the French media conglomeration Vivendi . UMG has 38 labels outside of the US and 10 in the US: Decca Label Group Universal Music UKArtists: Lana Del Ray, Justin Bieber, Eminem and Rihanna.

EMIEMI is a British owned multinational music company and it has its headquarters in London. Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramophone Company merged in 1931 to set up EMI. EMI owns EMI Music Publishing.It was the first major music company :• to make its music accessible without the need of

having digital rights management software. • to stream the first complete album.It also, released soundtracks for Walt Disney movies such High School Musical or Toy Story. Artists that work with EMI are : Thirty Seconds to Mars, Katy Perry, David Guetta and Snoop Dogg.

Domino Recording CompanyDomino Recording is an UK company based in London. It is the most well known independent label. It also expanded in US in order to gain more power and compete with Major labels such as Sony. Artic Monkeys is an example of the numerous artists which collaborated with Domino Recording Company.This proves that by working with an independent label it does not affect the artist career as Artic Monkeys is a well known band across the glob.

Independent labelsThere is a contrast between major labels and independent labels. For example, artists that sign a contract with an independent label find a huge benefit from that as they tend to have more control and rights over their work. They are also able to use it for different purposes, such as for commercials or movies. Independent labels look more appealing for new artists who are entering the music industry as they can get up to 70% royalty. They are also able to be in direct line with their fans and no barrier of communication is created. Technology is an important factor for artists working with independent labels as it is used as an advertisement method.

Which label is the most suitable for my music video ?For my music video, working with an independent label is the most suitable option. I will be entitled with having full control over my media product.I also think that social media platforms, such as Youtube and Facebook , will be more beneficial for the distribution process. The music video is meant to target a younger audience between 16-25 years old. By distributing the music video on the internet, the targeted age rate is more likely to have access to it. This is a benefit, as it will let me be on direct line with the viewers. I will be able to know their opinions on the music video and if either or not the message was received.