Building A Record Label

Record labels continue to consolidate and internal departments continue to merge. However, it is important for future record industry executives to have some idea of the internal mechanisms that exist within a major label. In fact, independent labels have to incorporate many of the same responsibilities within their infrastructure in order to compete in today's marketplace.

Some of the departments may seem obvious to some of the more experienced readers. However, even you can benefit from knowing what tasks need to be tackled and accomplished in order to be a fully functional recording labelindependent or major.

It is important to remember that a record company is defined by foundational concepts:
1. Equity in the copyright of the sound recording
2. An ability to promote
3. An ability to distribute

Keeping these underlying concepts in mind, a label can then be about anything the owners want it to be about. Many people hate to concede to the idea that a record label is ultimately about making money, then hopefully about making great music. Although, the latter has been falling farther and farther behind in today's marketplace.
Suffice it to say, the label's departments must also be working toward the common goal in their own ways. Below is a general list of departments within a record label and the responsibilities of each department. Remember with smaller labels, departments are smaller and therefore, many tasks are accomplished by fewer people.

CEO
1. Crafts strategy and implements agenda of corporate parent company
2. May not be involved in day-to-day operations
3. May be responsible for the business affairs of all affiliated labels under the corporate umbrella
4. Reports to executive at corporate parent company

PRESIDENT
1. Responsible for entire record label
2. Reports to CEO
3. Less removed than CEO and may be involved in day-to-day operations and high profile signings

BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Responsible for all contract negotiations and legal affairs

FINANCE/ACCOUNTING
Responsible for all financial functions, payroll, royalty accounting and financial reporting

LABEL LIAISON
1. One person or a small group of people
2. Serves as liaison between record company's distribution company and the record company
3. Helps decide when to release an album and makes sure it doesn't conflict with any other labels the record company owns

A&R
1. Finds new artists (works with a research team to uncover important market research statistics/numbers)
2. Finding artists' material
3. Liaison between artist and all other departments of the record company
4. Coordinates across departments for projects
5. Product Manager (your manager within the label)

PROMOTIONS
1. Primary function is to service radio stations with product and secure airplay
2. Manages independent promoters and contractors
3. Works closely with radio stations on contests, concerts, giveaways, etc.
4. Works closely with new media and marketing

SALES
1. Primary function is to service retail with product and oversee retail initiatives
2. Services national and independent accounts
3. Instrumental in planning release schedule, initial unit volume, and solicitation strategies
4. Works closely with marketing and promotion to track radio airplay

MARKETING
1. Creates strategic marketing plan for the company as well as, specific artists and their releases
2. Instrumental in seeking strategic alliances for the label (Consumer Products, advertising, radio/tv/film)

PUBLICITY
1. Gets the word out
2. Writes press releases
3. Helps secure personal appearances radio interviews, television exposure, featured articles
4. Works with artist's independent publicist if applicable

NEW MEDIA
1. Responsible for dealing with some of the newer aspects of the music business
2. Creates Online Presence social networks, online reviews and feature, blogs, website, streaming music, etc.
3. Responsible for producing and creating music videos for the artist

MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
1. Coordinates
2. Pressing
3. Packaging
4. Shipping
5. Warehousing and Inventory Management
6. Digital Distribution
7. Rack Jobbers, One Stops, Record Clubs

The aforementioned departments and their tasks are for general reference only. Each specific label has their own way of accomplishing tasks, assigning names to departments, and ultimately selling product. However, note the information, use it to perhaps build your labels' infrastructure or to possibly look for a position in the music business, and then build upon it for further success in the music business.

Credit Track Record Post Bankruptcy

There is really nothing at all pleasant about personal bankruptcy. It is a criminal record item, you have to head to court, your possessions and bad debts are usually published for expert review and disapproval, and your friends and neighbors cease inviting you around for dinner. Ok, that does not happen, nevertheless it feels just as poorly as if they had.

Usually the one redeeming thing that hails from a bankruptcy is a discharge from the financial obligations which might be covered within the patio umbrella of the filing. Right now, there are different sorts associated with bankruptcies that a person can file Body that liquidates his or her possessions completely and completely releases any further requirement in most cases (i.electronic. - income tax, supporting your children at all exceptions) and something that is essentially because repayment plan that is used by the court assignee.
Because of this article - we have been concerned only with your credit track record POST bankruptcy.

Those things that are filed with all the bankruptcy (the list regarding debts you are seeking defense against) cannot be listed while individual bad debts following your filing. They must become reported as part of chapter 7. How does it help a person? Well, think of it as a large file folder associated with problems you've had with your past, but in which folder are prepared neatly and are trapped in the spare space you never visit. It really is there, but not a real big part of your existing. If you have never attempted to fix your credit report (which could remove the bankruptcy using equal success just like any other negative merchandise) potential lenders will certainly see it. But it is a self contained part of your current past history that you have ( ideally) overcome with a beneficial payment history consequently. It is not uncommon for those only two years away from bankruptcy to have robust 700 + credit scores, that enables them to be successfully treated as an The credit risk.

Okay, so what should you stays away from you are asking, appropriate? I'll tell you. Quite often a creditor may violate this apply and report your own delinquency separately, not in the umbrella of the BK submitting on your report. This specific takes our record folder example earlier mentioned, and adds something like a bunch of loose cardstock lying around your house, appearing like you have had OTHER problems outside the house and even since the declaring. This can not only mean trouble for your credit rating and ability to proceed with your life, it may also mean BIG difficulties for the creditor performing the reporting.

Why? Well, all the way around the Supreme Court of the us, our judicial system provides protected and offered homage to YOUR to use the BK laws to advance on with your life. As well as reporting bad debts outside this filing, that have been contained within, is often a direct, (if not purposive) violation of your economic future.

You can manage this yourself. Or perhaps, you can call the lawyer. Either way, you should be aware of the laws and regulations that protect an individual, and the potential punitive measures for the creditor breaking your rights. If they are made aware, with me with others, it is an extremely swift resolution. But you should get copies of one's reports regularly, perhaps innocuous, innocent errors like this happen every day - and people such as yourself are the ones whom pay. Don't be the victim. Knowledge is actually power!