SONG CONTEST BLOG

Labels aren’t doing very well at the moment.  In fact, they’re darn right horizontal on their deathbeds.

People don’t want to pay for music anymore.

Children are being sued for copyright infringement.

Every digital music startup in the last three years has flopped.

It’s grim.

Yet there’s never been a better time to start a label.

Go ahead, sign a few acts – no one else will.

Nobody expects an advance or a fat tour bus.  It’s budget airlines all the way.

Invest in talent while it’s cheap and ubiquitous.

Don’t know how to do it?  Plenty of executives out of the job.  Go talk to one.

Four tips to get you started:

1. Quit your day job. Nobody will take you seriously if you’re doing something else 9 to 5.

2. Stick with what you know. If you lack people skills, avoid public relations.  Focus on your strengths and, when you can, develop or outsource your weaknesses.

3. You’re in business. Act that way.  Get organized.  Lots of stupid people own hugely successful businesses.  You too can create a successful business.

4. Pick great acts. Treat them well.  Work hard for them and they will show you returns.

Music is a safe bet.  There will always be money in it.

Now go make some!

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Epic Records, part of Sony’s Columbia/Epic Label Group, has appointed singer/songwriter, Amanda Ghost, as its new President, replacing Chris Walk who left the label after his contract ran out last year.  With 25 million record sales in the last three years under her belt, Ghost is one of the leading commercial songwriters in today’s music market, responsible for major cuts including “Beautiful Liar” (Beyonce/Shakira), “You Are So Beautiful” (James Blunt) and “Tattoo” (Jordin Sparks), to name a few.

Ghost’s appointment, somewhat unconventional for the label behemoth, comes as surprising news.  Perhaps it’s part of a new game plan to denote a new positioning in the record industry; putting the ‘creatives’ at the very top of the ladder.

Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, statement:

“I am delighted that Amanda has chosen to bring her creative vision and flair to the Epic label. In the changing environment of the music business, record labels undoubtedly need to be complete partners with the artistic community and Amanda will be the perfect executive to meet that challenge.”

Although a turbulent time to be in business, let alone the music business, I’m delighted to learn that National Geographic has taken the initiative to launch a music label, Nat Geo Music, to produce and distribute music from around the globe.  As part of National Geographic’s mutli-media expansion, the label will be based in New York City and aims to release six to eight albums by year’s end.

Live Nation, the world’s largest producer of live concerts and the leading purveyor of the mega-deal (or 360 music deal), has become a music industry powerhouse and, as result, drawing and signing the most lucrative artists in today’s live music market , a la Nickelback and Madonna.  The LA-based live music behemoth sells more than 45 million concert tickets each year and, in music industry standards, considered a promotional sure-fire.  In many respects, the company operates as a music label should: developing professional artists of every caliber by providing a financial pipeline into every aspect of the artist’s ‘portfolio’.   In 2008, Live Nation organized and produced 16,000 concerts for 1,500 in 57 countries.