Major Institutions:
There are four major music labels that dominate music; these are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI. Each consists of many smaller companies and labels in different regions and work with different genres of music.
Minor Institutions:
These are independent companies; they produce and distribute the music themselves. They have less money than major institutions so it is more difficult for them to distribute successfully. If they want to get more money to help with distribution costs, they can be bought by major institutions.
History of Warner Music Group
What companies does it own? Is this significant?WMG works with companies such as Reprise Records, Roadrunner Records and Rhino Records. Each of these have artists signed to them whose music is of the same or similar genre to our genre. For example, Green Day, Slash and Mick Jagger. This shows that WMG offers a range of labels for a range of artists.
Does it have a production and distribution element?
Warner/Chappell Music is a global music publishing company, it’s a leader in the creation of advanced strategies for the marketing and promotion of songwriters and their music.
Alternative Distribution Alliance was created in 1993 and focuses on the independent music business. It gives them access to a flexible distribution system, and the effectiveness of a major label.
What artists are signed to them?
- Green Day
- The White Stripes
- Paramore
- Bruno Mars
- Plan B
- Michael Bublé
What do you notice about the genre of music?
They have a variety of genres including rock, rap, pop, jazz and R&B. Their variety shows they are able to distribute to a mass audience as well as a niche audience. It also shows that they are interested in all kinds of music and don’t focus all their attention and money on one genre, which means they are more well-known and successful.
Would they be a suitable organisation to work for this project?
Warner Music Group would be suitable as they have many artists signed to them who are in the same genre of music as what we are working in, such as Green Day, Kiss and The Doors. They are Well known and have many record labels working with them which helps to make distribution easier and more successful.
