Record label structure

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THE STRUCTURE OF A MAJOR RECORD LABEL By Stefan Mekki

Transcript of Record label structure

Page 1: Record label structure

THE STRUCTURE OF A MAJOR RECORD LABEL

By Stefan Mekki

Page 2: Record label structure

THE A&R DEPARTMENT

Some see the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) department is seen to many as

the most captivating department within music. The A&R department take

charge of finding the hottest new talent around. When the A&R discover a

new artist, they often tend to work very direct with them for example Sam

Smith was discovered by UMG (Universal Music Group) after attending

several musical theatre groups and being a member of Bishop’s Stortford

Junior Operatics. The A&R department pretty much look after the artist,

they assist with jobs such as choosing the music, and deciding where it’ll

be recorded. This department work closely with other department to try

and branch out the artist’s music as much as possible.

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THE ART DEPARTMENT

The art department have one job main job in which

they are in charge of all the artwork and designs

that go with the production on a single/album.

Producing CD cover, advertisements and displays are

examples of the type of jobs this department does.

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THE ARTIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

This department is crucial in the development of and artist and are in

charge of planning the careers of the artist who are signed to the

record label. It advertises and publicizes the artists over the

advancement of their career. However, majority of labels no longer

acquire this department due to record labels seeing artists as more a

product in modern time. ‘Product development is what this department

has been renamed as due to many artists insisting that because of the

attention within the industry is to promote artist densely at the start of

their career, as opposed to long-term planning.

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THE LABEL LIAISON DEPARTMENT

This department usually consists of one person, or potentially a

small group of people (depending on the artist) who serves as the

liaison between the record company’s delivery service (the

delivery service may be under the same division as the record

label, however it may be from an outside company) and the

record company. Furthermore its down to the label liaison to

decide when the artists album is released, along with making

sure there is no clash with any of the other labels the record

company owns.

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THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT

With so many contracts and agreements being made

the legal department play a major hand in keeping it

all together. Its their job to tie up deals and contract

signings between the record label, artist and other

companies.

However, should any legal issues emerge e.g.

lawsuits between an artist and a company) the legal

department will be informed immediately.

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THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT

The department is in charge of creating marketing

plans for every album that the record label plans to

release. A basic marketing plan will obtain the

coordination and help of the promotion, sales and

publicity departments.

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NEW MEDIA DEPARTMENT

This department can be seen as a ‘new’ addition to

the modern record label structure. Its job is to deal

with the newest aspects of the music business. This

includes the likes of producing and promoting music

videos for the artist. Furthermore the department is

also I control of of assistant the artist to a create a

online presence. For example they may create a

Facebook/Twitter page for the artist in order to

promote their latest tracks, but to also interact with

fans.

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THE PROMOTION DEPARTMENT

This department plays a crucial part in making sure the artist

records are being played on the radio. This is important due the

fact that the more often the artists new song is played, the better

success its due to have meaning more success for the record label.

In addition this apartment needs to ensure that the other

departments are communicating and working together in order to

work out the best way to try and promote their music e.g. trying to

get their music videos on major music TV channels. However this

department may also work closely with the ‘New’ department.

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THE PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT

In order for the artist to grow the publicity

department is responsible for getting the public to

view and talk about the new artist. They would

usually arrange for photoshoots and news articles to

be written and publicised in newspapers and

broadcasted across social media. Major artist would

usually have their own publicists who help

coordinate publicity events.

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THE SALES DEPARTMENT

The sales department are in control in the retail

aspect of the record business. The would work with

big music chain stores in order to get new

albums/singles onto the retailers shelves. The

department will also work closely with the promotion

and team in order to discuss prices of the product

being sold.

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BUSINESS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

As the for the business affaires department, they are

there to keep control of payroll for the artists and all

other general finances.