Sony: Record Label Case

Study

What is Sony?

• Sony music was set up in 1929, originally named ‘American Record Corporation’. Several different record labels had joined together to make this company and after many name changes, it settled with the name ‘Sony’ in 1991. Sony has brought out many companies such as BMG who they were partners with and became ‘Sony Music Entertainment’ in 2008.

• Song music is now one of the biggest companies that specialises in music and entertainment. It has signed many of artists over the years in which some have become global superstars. They cover a wide range of music genres which makes them successful.

• Sony has set up various of music websites such as VEVO alongside companies like the Universal Music Group and Abu Dhabi Media Company. The purpose of these websites are to promote music and artists to the public. VEVO was launched on 8th December 2009 and is now a popular website in which fans around the world try to help their favourite bands break VEVO records for the ‘most watched music video’. The current most watched video under 24 hours is Nicki Minaj – Anaconda.

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• Sony UK Entertainment has a partnership with Simon Cowell’s label ‘Syco’ which accounts for 75% of Sony Music UK’s profit. They also own companies such as Columbia, RCA and Sony CG6. Sony Red distribution company are owned by Sony Music Entertainment and handles releases for 50 plus independent record labels.

Marketing• Sony markets their artists through their official websites. It’s here

where they consistently update their page on band updates, photos, events and music which all links to the artists personal social media accounts.

• Although Song distributes many different ways, the artists play an important part in sharing the responsibility of promoting their music with the world. By having a social media account allows the artist to upload their music and interact with fans to encourage them to buy their work. Their albums can be brought through iTunes, Amazon, HMV and supermarkets. The links are usually available on the social media accounts to all who visits their page.