The online revolution has been more damaging to independent labels than multi-national labels as they do not have as many artists signed to them as multi-national labels which means that the money that they lose out on from illegal downloads will show significantly more unlike a multi-national label.
The fact that independent labels are not as well-known means that less people will look at the music they produce and offer on the internet, this is because it will be much harder to find than a multi-national company whose artists are well known. This means that they will sell less music and make less money.
The online revolution has damaged both independent and multi-national labels because if people are downloading their music illegally, the labels are going to get less money from sales because the more people that are downloading illegally, the less amount of people will be paying for the single/album.
Due to the high use of the internet it is now easier to download music illegally. This has a much bigger impact on independent labels than it does on multi-national labels due to the fact that they do not make as much money as big companies and they need this money to keep themselves running.
However, the online revolution has helped labels because they can help an artist to become more well known because they can put up free downloads so that people can download it for free and listen to it and decide whether or not they like the artist before they go and buy more of their music. Music is easily accessed by many people who use the internet everyday. The internet has made it very easy to download music straight away and listen to it quickly rather than having to go to a shop. Also with the access of iTunes, you can buy your music on your iPhone or iPod touch on the go and listen to it straightaway.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
Domino Records: a British independent record label
1. What differences do you notice between Domino and Universal in terms of artists and genres?
Domino records is an independent label that associates itself with the genre indie rock and indie pop. Most of the artists signed to Domino records are not as well-known as those signed to Universal but Domino has got a handful of acts that are well known such as Franz Ferdinand and The Arctic Monkeys.
Universal music group has many subsidiaries that associate themselves with different genres for example Island records focuses on pop/rock and has artists such as U2 and Fascination records focuses mainly on pop which has artists such as Girls Aloud and The Saturdays.
2. a) How would you describe Domino’s target audience(s)?
b) How does the label address and appeal to its audience?
I would describe Domino's target audience as young people aged around 16-30 years old, more males than females who are interested in Indie music.
The label's website appeals to it's audience through it's style. The colours used are bright which creates a modern look and appeals to the younger audience. there are many links at the top of the page such as MP3 where the audience can download songs. there is also a link called live which informs the audience of the latest gigs and concerts.
The label's website appeals to it's audience through it's style. The colours used are bright which creates a modern look and appeals to the younger audience. there are many links at the top of the page such as MP3 where the audience can download songs. there is also a link called live which informs the audience of the latest gigs and concerts.
3. a) Have you heard of any artists on their roster? Which ones?
b) Why do you think a high profile artist might sign to Domino?
I have only heard of two artists on their roster and they are Franz Ferdinand and The Arctic Monkeys.
I think a high profile artist might sign to Domino because Domino record label lets their artists just focus on the music and does not manufacuture their artists like Fascination records with Girls Aloud who have been 'moulded'.
4. Find out about the Archie Bronson Outfit, a group signed to Domino. What strategies is the label using to promote and distribute their music?
5. How has convergence affected the label?
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Disadvantages of convergence in the music industry
- It's easier to steal music.
- Lose CDs and lyric booklets and any other free things that come with a CD.
- Artists communicating with their fans on blogs, twitter and Facebook may not feel personal as it is to a mass audience.
- Lose CDs and lyric booklets and any other free things that come with a CD.
- Artists communicating with their fans on blogs, twitter and Facebook may not feel personal as it is to a mass audience.
Advantages of convergence in the music industry
- Easier access into the music industry for artists.
- Fans/audience can their favourite artists music much easier and quicker.
- It's easier to communicate and get more information with your favourite artist, via blogs and websites.
- Free distribution of music which means it can be done electronically so less money is wasted on producing CDs.
- Fans/audience can their favourite artists music much easier and quicker.
- It's easier to communicate and get more information with your favourite artist, via blogs and websites.
- Free distribution of music which means it can be done electronically so less money is wasted on producing CDs.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Convergence ...
- Narrows gap between producers and audiences
- Allows audiences to access content instantly.
- Opens up opportunities for any artist to promote their work.
Record Labels no longer only gateways.
- Offers free distribution
- Allows audience to steal music.
- Allows audiences to access content instantly.
- Opens up opportunities for any artist to promote their work.
Record Labels no longer only gateways.
- Offers free distribution
- Allows audience to steal music.
Convergence in the music industry
Technological convergence means instant access.
Therefore:
* TV and music are converging to increase sale e.g. Britannia High, Glee, The X Factor - this illustrates the way in which synergy is supported by convergence.
* Music/internet convergence - streaming and downloading e.g. Spotify, We7, Vevo.
Therefore:
* TV and music are converging to increase sale e.g. Britannia High, Glee, The X Factor - this illustrates the way in which synergy is supported by convergence.
* Music/internet convergence - streaming and downloading e.g. Spotify, We7, Vevo.
Convergence has changed the music industry dramatically
Labels can promote and distribute music directly.
Since Web 2.0
A website no longer just a shop window, it is immediately also a shop...
The way in which the web has changed, more interactive, can change what you have seen. It has made much easier to distribute music.
Audience perception
- Audiences no longer perceive media platforms as separate, due to technological convergence.
E.g. Internet is television and music for some consumers.
E.g. Internet is television and music for some consumers.
Technological convergence
What is it?
- Describes ways in which different technologies have come together in recent years.
- Boundaries between media forms are beginning to blur.
- Describes ways in which different technologies have come together in recent years.
- Boundaries between media forms are beginning to blur.
Technological convergence in the music industry
Technologies that are converged in an iPhone:
- Camera
- Internet
- TV
- Radio
- Videogames
- Telecommunication
- E-mail
- GPS
- Music - MP3s
Monday, 7 February 2011
Universal Music Group and Multi-platform promotion
In what ways is UMG working towards integrating music with television? Why do you think this is an important focus for the label?
UMG is integrating music with television by 'creating programming around its current and catalogue artists, alongside developing new television formats, both music-based and factual. It will develop programme ideas in-house, as well as working closely with independent production companies.'
Universal Music Group International Chairman and ceo Lucian Grainge says: “The launch of Globe is a natural progression for Universal Music. The opportunities for our artists in television are immense, and through Globe we are taking a more pro-active approach, closing the gap between artists and broadcasters. I hope we can find new ways of presenting music on television, and the promotional aspect is just the tip of the iceberg; my vision for Globe is to develop ground-breaking television formats which can be successful worldwide."
Globe productions is UMG-owned but UK-based with a partnership between Globe and ITV. Why do you think it is important to UMG to open companies like this in countries outside the US?
I think it is important to open companies like this in countries outside the US as it will meet that specific countries audience.
EXAMPLE:
Globe already has several programme ideas in development and has secured its first commissions, the latest being a documentary on Paul Weller via a new ongoing relationship with Double Jab Productions. A similar alliance with Monkey, the independent production company set up by Will Macdonald and David Granger, resulted in the six-week series on Girls Aloud which has already been a ratings hit for E4 and will be broadcast on Channel Four this autumn. Globe Productions owns a stake in these and all further joint commissions, as well as owning ancillary rights such as audio and DVD spin-offs.
Find out about the ITV programme Popstar to Opera Star, produced with Globe Productions. How did UMG use the programme to promote it's artists and songs? Why do you think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience?
POPSTAR TO OPERA STAR
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme based around the training of current pop stars to be able to sing opera.
Format:
The show starts with 8 celebrity singers who are known for singing pop music. Each week they are trained by mentors to sing opera. At the end of each week they give a live performance on television and the viewers vote to decide which singers they want to keep. One of the two singers with the fewest votes is to be eliminated by the judges. If the judges' votes are tied the person with the lowest number of tele-votes is eliminated. A proportion of the revenue from the telephone votes is donated to the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity
UMG used the programme to promote some of it's artists such as Vanessa White from the Saturdays who are signed to Universal Records. The programme also featured songs from Universal Records. The judges used for the show are signed to Universal records.
I think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience because the audience are familar with the British Acts featured such as Alex James from Blur and Vanessa White from the Saturdays and Kym Marsh who was part of Hear say and is now on coronation Street the UK audience will have seen these people before.
Search the UMG website for information about Six-string, the UMG guitar game. Why is it a different and successful product? Why d you think UMG has made a deal to make it available to iTunes?
What can you find out about Web 2.0? Consider its effect on the music industry.
UMG is integrating music with television by 'creating programming around its current and catalogue artists, alongside developing new television formats, both music-based and factual. It will develop programme ideas in-house, as well as working closely with independent production companies.'
Universal Music Group International Chairman and ceo Lucian Grainge says: “The launch of Globe is a natural progression for Universal Music. The opportunities for our artists in television are immense, and through Globe we are taking a more pro-active approach, closing the gap between artists and broadcasters. I hope we can find new ways of presenting music on television, and the promotional aspect is just the tip of the iceberg; my vision for Globe is to develop ground-breaking television formats which can be successful worldwide."
Globe productions is UMG-owned but UK-based with a partnership between Globe and ITV. Why do you think it is important to UMG to open companies like this in countries outside the US?
I think it is important to open companies like this in countries outside the US as it will meet that specific countries audience.
EXAMPLE:
Globe already has several programme ideas in development and has secured its first commissions, the latest being a documentary on Paul Weller via a new ongoing relationship with Double Jab Productions. A similar alliance with Monkey, the independent production company set up by Will Macdonald and David Granger, resulted in the six-week series on Girls Aloud which has already been a ratings hit for E4 and will be broadcast on Channel Four this autumn. Globe Productions owns a stake in these and all further joint commissions, as well as owning ancillary rights such as audio and DVD spin-offs.
Find out about the ITV programme Popstar to Opera Star, produced with Globe Productions. How did UMG use the programme to promote it's artists and songs? Why do you think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience?
POPSTAR TO OPERA STAR
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme based around the training of current pop stars to be able to sing opera.
Format:
The show starts with 8 celebrity singers who are known for singing pop music. Each week they are trained by mentors to sing opera. At the end of each week they give a live performance on television and the viewers vote to decide which singers they want to keep. One of the two singers with the fewest votes is to be eliminated by the judges. If the judges' votes are tied the person with the lowest number of tele-votes is eliminated. A proportion of the revenue from the telephone votes is donated to the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity
UMG used the programme to promote some of it's artists such as Vanessa White from the Saturdays who are signed to Universal Records. The programme also featured songs from Universal Records. The judges used for the show are signed to Universal records.
I think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience because the audience are familar with the British Acts featured such as Alex James from Blur and Vanessa White from the Saturdays and Kym Marsh who was part of Hear say and is now on coronation Street the UK audience will have seen these people before.
Search the UMG website for information about Six-string, the UMG guitar game. Why is it a different and successful product? Why d you think UMG has made a deal to make it available to iTunes?
What can you find out about Web 2.0? Consider its effect on the music industry.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Island and Fascination Records - Subsidiaries of UMG
Fascination Records and Island Records are two subsidiaries from the mass Music Label Universal Music Group.
Subsidiaries are used to appeal to different audiences who like a certain genre of music.
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group. The label now operates as a division of The Island Def Jam Music Group in the United States (where it is now a largely rock-oriented label) and as a standalone label in the United Kingdom (also known as Island Records Group or Universal Island). Since 2007, there is also a front line local artist and repertoire label in Australia known as Island Records Australia, run by Universal Music Australia.
Island records is aimed at reggae, you can also see this from the look of the website with it's use of exotic tropical colours. Island records features many reggae artists such as Bob Marley, however, it also includes artists such as Colbie Caillat, Sugababes, U2 etc which shows that Island records are looking to appeal to a more wider audience even though it comes across as being for a niche audience.
There is link on the website called records, by clicking on this link you are taken to a page where you are told of new releases, past releases, coming soon, singles and albums. this page shows the variety of artists that are signed to island records which is effective in people discovering new artists when looking and listening to another artist.
There is also a link where you can download 'Free Tunes' again a variety of artists shown on this page appealing to a mass audience.
Fascination Records
Fascination Records is a UK-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records. The label was launched in spring 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine editor Peter Loraine. It concentrates on a relatively small number of pop acts and will complement the re-activated Fiction rock imprint.
Fascination records appeals to a mass audience. Looking at island records website and fascination records website you can see that colour scheme used for fascination records is simple and does not reflect on a certain genre of music like island records does (emphasises reggae).
Universal Music Group will benefit from having subsidiaries based in different countries because it allows the subsidiaries to focus on the mass needs of the country they are based in, meaning that Universal Music Group can appeal to a mass audience world wide.
In conclusion, subsidiaries are used to gain a larger audience and are specific in the music genre they distribute making it easier for not only Universal Music Group but also for their audience.
Subsidiaries are used to appeal to different audiences who like a certain genre of music.
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group. The label now operates as a division of The Island Def Jam Music Group in the United States (where it is now a largely rock-oriented label) and as a standalone label in the United Kingdom (also known as Island Records Group or Universal Island). Since 2007, there is also a front line local artist and repertoire label in Australia known as Island Records Australia, run by Universal Music Australia.
Island records is aimed at reggae, you can also see this from the look of the website with it's use of exotic tropical colours. Island records features many reggae artists such as Bob Marley, however, it also includes artists such as Colbie Caillat, Sugababes, U2 etc which shows that Island records are looking to appeal to a more wider audience even though it comes across as being for a niche audience.
There is link on the website called records, by clicking on this link you are taken to a page where you are told of new releases, past releases, coming soon, singles and albums. this page shows the variety of artists that are signed to island records which is effective in people discovering new artists when looking and listening to another artist.
There is also a link where you can download 'Free Tunes' again a variety of artists shown on this page appealing to a mass audience.
Fascination Records
Fascination Records is a UK-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records. The label was launched in spring 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine editor Peter Loraine. It concentrates on a relatively small number of pop acts and will complement the re-activated Fiction rock imprint.
Fascination records appeals to a mass audience. Looking at island records website and fascination records website you can see that colour scheme used for fascination records is simple and does not reflect on a certain genre of music like island records does (emphasises reggae).
Universal Music Group will benefit from having subsidiaries based in different countries because it allows the subsidiaries to focus on the mass needs of the country they are based in, meaning that Universal Music Group can appeal to a mass audience world wide.
In conclusion, subsidiaries are used to gain a larger audience and are specific in the music genre they distribute making it easier for not only Universal Music Group but also for their audience.
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