Hazel DoyleHazel Doyle

AS Media Studies –

Major Record Label Research.

Sony Music Sony Music EntertainmentEntertainment

Sony music was founded in 1929 when several different record companies merged to become one company, the company started under the name American Record Corporation it went through many different name changes, merging and being bought out by different companies and labels, it eventually became Sony Music Entertainment on January 1st 1991. In 2004 Sony entered in a joint venture with BMG becoming the newly named Sony BMG but after four years on October 1st 2008 Sony bought out BMG’s 50% share in the company to once again become Sony Music Entertainment as they are known today.

Sony Music is part of one of the biggest music and entertainment companies in the world. It has a vast variety of acts signed to the label, many of which have achieved world wide fame.

Signed to Sony Music Signed to Sony Music Entertainment….Entertainment….

Sony Music Sony Music entertainment has over entertainment has over 200 artists signed to the 200 artists signed to the label from major label from major worldwide sell-out artists worldwide sell-out artists such as Beyoncsuch as Beyoncéé, , AC/DC, Kings of Leon AC/DC, Kings of Leon and Leona Lewis to and Leona Lewis to smaller acts such as smaller acts such as Broken Bells, Nicole Broken Bells, Nicole Atkins and Madcon.Atkins and Madcon.

Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment covers a Entertainment covers a wide range of genres and wide range of genres and different styles.different styles.

Radio 1 PlaylistRadio 1 Playlist

This weeks radio one playlist features three artists signed with Sony Music Entertainment:

•Kesha

(Song: Your love is my drug)

•MGMT

(Song: It’s working)

•Sean Kingston

(Song: Eenie Meenie [ft Justin Beiber])

Vevo is an online music video and entertainment website set up by Vevo is an online music video and entertainment website set up by Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Abu Dhabi Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Abu Dhabi Media Company. With its video hosting provided by Media Company. With its video hosting provided by YYoutoutuubebe V Vevo evo hosthostss music from three of the four major record labels; Universal music from three of the four major record labels; Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment anMusic Group, Sony Music Entertainment andd EMI EMI..

Vevo was launched on 8Vevo was launched on 8thth December 2009 and has become a well used December 2009 and has become a well used website by music fans everywhere, although it is not currently website by music fans everywhere, although it is not currently available worldwide there are plans for it to go global later this year. available worldwide there are plans for it to go global later this year. (2010)(2010)

Sony Music Entertainment UK is known for it’s Sony Music Entertainment UK is known for it’s partnership with other labels and people in the partnership with other labels and people in the music industry. One of these partnerships includemusic industry. One of these partnerships includeSimon Cowell's label Syco which accounts for Simon Cowell's label Syco which accounts for over 75% of Sony Music UK's profits.over 75% of Sony Music UK's profits.

Sony owns many other music labels. Three of Sony owns many other music labels. Three of the main are Columbia, RCA and Sony CMG.the main are Columbia, RCA and Sony CMG.

Sony RED distribution company are owned by Sony Music Entertainment and handle releases for 50+ independent record labels.

BeyoncBeyoncéé

Sell-out shows across the world, sold close to 40 million records in the US and has a huge fan base across the UK, the US and the rest of the world.

35,168,937 plays on http://www.last.fm/

Albums Albums – Dangerously in love (Two number one singles and earning

five Grammy awards) B’Day (Number one album in the US), I am….Sasha Fierce (Six Grammy awards)

AC/DCAC/DC

Sell-out shows across the world, have sold an estimated 200 million records worldwide.

58,427,701 plays on http://www.last.fm/

Albums Albums – High Voltage, T.N.T, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, Powerage, If You Want Blood You’ve Got It, Highway To Hell, For Those About To Rock We Salute You, Flick Of The Switch, Fly On the Wall, Who Made Who, Blow Up Your Video, The Razors Edge, AC/DC Live, Ballbreaker, Stiff Upper Lip, Black Ice, Iron Man 2, Back in Black (Over 40 million copies sold worldwide, labelled as the best selling album worldwide released by a band)

This is a long tail for AC/DC currently signed to Sony Music This is a long tail for AC/DC currently signed to Sony Music Entertainment.Entertainment.

Marketing Marketing

Sony market their bands/artists through many ways; their website has regular news updates on the bands, has videos from them and links to all the bands websites. The bands tour around the UK and play concerts and festivals around the world.

The bands/artists have Myspace, Twitter and Facebook pages which fans can join and follow their favourite bans/artists, watch their latest videos and buy merchandise.

Web 2.0 has made it possible for Sony to use other techniques to market their bands instead of having to use the old methods of word of mouth or putting posters up to advertise new bands and new music.

Music FestivalsMusic Festivals

This year AC/DC are the main act headlining This year AC/DC are the main act headlining Download Festival in Donnington in June as well Download Festival in Donnington in June as well as Lamb of God and Bullet For My Valentine both as Lamb of God and Bullet For My Valentine both playing sets at the festival. Opeth and Korn have playing sets at the festival. Opeth and Korn have both previously played sets at the festival as well. both previously played sets at the festival as well.

Reading Festival has got acts such as Bullet For Reading Festival has got acts such as Bullet For My Valentine, Modest Mouse playing sets.My Valentine, Modest Mouse playing sets.

Distribution and Exchange.Distribution and Exchange.

Sony Music Entertainment sell music in a variety of ways and formats, music can be bought digitally through downloads through many websites such as ITunes, Play.com and other online retailers. Music is also produced in CD and Vinyl format from online and high street retailers such as HMV and supermarkets as well as direct from the bands websites. Sony Music Entertainment is also part of live streaming sites such as Last Fm, We 7, Spotify and other websites.

Sony Music Entertainment also use their music in their film and TV businesses, their music is played and used in other films when paid for through licence.