MUSIC VIDEO INDUSTRY
Record Labels
A record label is a brand that is associated with the marketing of music videos and artists. Most artists are signed to a record label and there is either a major record label or an independent record label. The role of record labels is to get the music from the artist to the audience. The institution of record labels includes production, distribution, marketing and exchange/exhibition. The audience part of record labels includes consumption and reception. Royalties are the share of record sales that the artist gets paid, the advance is the record company taking the money from the artist's earnings for recording their album and the money the record company pays the artist for signing with them. The reserve is where the record shops canreturn unsold records to the label for a refund.
Major Record Labels
Major record labels are large labels that are linked to a distributor or has their own distribution system and commands a high percentage of the annual sales of records from their artists. There are only three major record labels which are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. There are also sub-labels which are part of a larger record company but trades under a different name. Some examples of sub-labels are; BB Records, Columbia, Syco Music, Atlanta Records and Warner Bros Records.
Independent Record Labels
Independent record labels are smaller groups that do not use a major distributor but provides the service for themselves. Any record company that is not under 'The Big Three' is considered to be an independent record label.Independent record labels are usually have less financial clout as they are smaller and they are also not as well known as the major record labels. Some examples of independent record labels are; XL Recordings, Matador Records, 4AD, Mad Decent and Sub Pop Records.
Little Mix
Little Mix is the band we have chosen for our music video. Like most pop artists and bands, they are signed to many major record labels. These are; Syco, Syco Music and Columbia Records.
Record Label Logos
Most of these record label logos are black and white and don't include colour - this gives a more professional look to them maybe to attract more artists as they they may think they will get more money. The two logos on the left are brighter whereas the two on the right include more black - this could show a difference between the major record labels and the independent record labels. This difference may be because major record labels generally have and earn more money as they are more well-known. The independent record label logos may use more black because they want their logo to stand out to get more attention and recognition from audiences so they get more popular and get more money.