Global Entertainment and Music Business

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  Designing an innovative MENA music awards

  Nada Alhelabi
  2023

  This research paper focused on designing an innovative music awards system for the MENA region with exploring four pillars: macro perspective, community and sustainability, best models, and innovation. The research employed primary and secondary methodologies, including 14 interviews and a survey with 71 respondents from various target groups such as musicians, labels and brands, DSPs, technology companies, government, and the public.

  The findings of the research indicate that music awards are widely recognized as crucial for acknowledging talent and fostering further development within the industry. However, the study also revealed common misconceptions across geographical locations, particularly concerning credibility and transparency in the awarding process.

  In conclusion, the research highlights a strong desire for an award system in the MENA region and identifies an opportunity to introduce an innovative approach that ensures fairness, active public engagement, and support for emerging artists. Additionally, the study raises questions regarding the availability of sufficient talent in Saudi Arabia at this stage, as well as the adequacy of the artist pool within the region. As a result, this research paper serves as a set of guiding principles to inform the design of an award system tailored to the MENA region.

  Overall, this study provides valuable insights and recommendations for creating a music awards platform that addresses the specific needs and challenges of the MENA music industry, while also fostering credibility, transparency, and support for emerging talents.

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  Sustainability at Environmentally Conscious American Festivals

  Zoe Berman
  2023

  The climate crisis is an ever-increasingly impending threat to our planet. While live music events do not constitute a high percentage of overall global emissions, the pervasive cultural influence of music gives festivals the capacity to influence widespread cultural change. As such, music festivals can ignite behavioral changes that reverberate into stakeholders’ daily lives. Furthermore, large-scale gatherings result in over-consumption of sizable quantities of energy, water and natural resources and production of waste, albeit varying depending on the event’s capacity and geographical location. Many festivals across the globe are working diligently to mitigate their carbon footprint and offer greener and more socially equitable programming to reshape the industry status quo. This research highlights five of those festivals within the United States, providing a snapshot of their current sustainability initiatives and offering suggestions for future improvement and expansion. These festivals represent a breadth of sizes and locations (rural versus urban areas, across five different US states). Additionally, in order to account for all primary stakeholder groups within the festival ecosystem, two organizations making noteworthy strides towards greening artist tours and other external facets of festival operations are outlined herein. The contributions of these seven organizations are analyzed using ten United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deemed applicable to music festivals per the triple-bottom-line framework, which accounts for environmental, social and economic sustainability. The influence of festival size and location are discussed, potential areas of improvement are identified and broader implications are outlined, such as a demonstrated need for further standardization and tangible resources for carbon footprint monitoring and transparent reporting, as well as more developed organization and collaboration under industry coalitions built to unify the live music sector in collective climate activism.

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  Case Study on Amuse and the Independent Music Distribution

  Miriam Boulos
  2023

  Taylor Swift, named biggest global recording artist by IFPI in 2022 has captivated audiences worldwide with her empowering success story, while simultaneously shedding light on the flaws and challenges of the music business. This case study aims to analyze how Taylor Swift has managed to disrupt the industry while being an integral part of it, creating a phenomenon known as the "Taylor Swift paradox." By conducting a comprehensive analysis this case study aims to present new insights into the changing dynamics of the music industry by providing a better understanding of the way in which Taylor Swift's career has challenged traditional notions of what constitutes a blockbuster artist and how indie artists can achieve commercial chart-topping success.The positionality of Swift is addressed using qualitative research design combining primary sources including interviews and secondary research methods including data analysis, and content analysis.

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  Disrupción Records Operational Culminating Experience

  Alessandro Cabrini
  2023

  For my Culminating Experience, I served as Head of Branding & Marketing Strategy for Disrupción Records. My goal was to revitalize the company's brand and increase brand awareness through innovative strategies. I took on the responsibility of rebranding the company, managing social media pages, and orchestrating marketing strategies and campaigns for both the label and its artists.

  During this experience, I developed a holistic branding and marketing strategy that would make a significant contribution to the industry. I focused on enhancing the brand's image, expanding its reach, and engaging with the audience effectively.

  One key aspect was managing the label's social media presence. I created engaging content and utilized various platforms to increase visibility. As a result, the Instagram follower count grew by nearly 30%. Additionally, I leveraged merchandise, events, and other creative strategies to create an efficient and successful marketing plan for Disrupción Records.

  Through this experience, I acquired valuable skills in branding, marketing, and social media management. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to brand revitalisation. The insights gained can be applied to benefit other music industry entities seeking to improve their brand image and engage with their target audience more effectively.

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  Business Plan – Muse

  Pedro Chalela
  2023

  Muse is a Brazilian platform that connects artists and independent labels with individuals that would like to have exposure to an alternative investment source: music recording rights.

  Over the last decades, a number of artists have gone independent. Most of them claim that the record labels – especially the Majors – impose a number of excessively abusive clauses in the record contracts and stay with most of their masters rights. Two factors can justify why big labels operate like this: the competitive dynamics, and the risk they have by investing in an artist (the proportion of signed artists who recoup the Majors’ invested capital is of approximately 10%). On the other hand, the record labels still have a fundamental role within the record industry – most of successful releases are backed by them.

  What if independent labels had more power within the record industry? That was the question that originated Muse’s value proposition: democratize the music investment in Brazil, empowering the independent stakeholders of the record industry. By bringing additional capital inflow from individuals into independent artists and labels, Muse provides them with an additional competitive advantage, and, as a result, contributes with a healthier and fairer market dynamic.

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  Business Plan for Artist Management Company

  Alex Fisher
  2023

  My culminating experience is a business plan for an artist management company, specifically targeting the market of Nashville, TN.

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  Business Plan: Dazzling Agency

  Valeria Flores
  2023

  The following business plan outlines the details of the startup, Dazzling Agency. Dazzling is an innovative artistic incubation agency dedicated to empowering aspiring artists and influencers to excel in the dynamic and competitive entertainment industry. At Dazzling Agency, we understand the challenges and complexities that artists and influencers face in navigating their careers. Our goal is to provide a wide range of services and tailored solutions that equip talents with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support to succeed in their artistic endeavors. We foster an environment where talents can collaborate, learn from each other, and expand their network, creating additional channels for creative discussions and opportunities.

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  A La House Records

  Paulina Johansson
  2023

  A La House Records is an all female collective and record label that cultivates and enhances the careers of women in electronic music, across all roles. It is an Operational Project founded with the purpose of centering more women in electronic music by arming them with the tools to break down the barriers to entry and realize success. By offering unconventional label services, A La House Records is in a unique position to bridge the gap between women in the music business with female artists and creators.

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  Time Drift

  Philipp Körbler
  2023

  The following report is a business plan for Time Drift, a reissue label and publisher focused on unearthing and re-releasing private press records on well-crafted and diligently curated physical media, finding new life for the music in placements in film, television, and other contexts. Over its first three years of operation, the label plans to keep itself to a release schedule of one album per year. The focus in this report will primarily be placed on the operations of the record label and the specific plans for its first release. This entails the reissue of an album by a gospel group based in Gary, Indiana, called Bibleway, who released an album entitled “Tears” in 1977. The plan is to press 500 copies of the album on a high-quality single vinyl featuring two bonus tracks and an insert with liner notes covering the story of the group and providing details on the wider historical context of the release.

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  Disrupcion Records Operational Culminating Experience

  Taylor Lines
  2023

  An operational CE, acting as head of A&R for Disrupción Records. The main responsibility as Head of A&R was to oversee the creation of a diverse imprint system and artist roster for the 2022 - 20223 year. This included helping the imprints create their specific direction, assisting in finding artists to sign, developing the sounds and image of their artists and supporting the process of releasing artist work. The Disrupcion team worked in tandem to ensure the success of the label this year, submitting an operational report and presenting on the process, strategies and outcomes of running Disrupcion.

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  Business Plan: BootsCats

  Anna Lino
  2023

  BootsCats explores the art of artist acceleration through a dynamic methodology that aims to provide emerging electronic dance music artists with a 12 month roadmap to build sustainable success.

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  Bridge the gap between East and West: The comparison on monetization between Eastern and Western music digital service providers

  Simai Li
  2023

  The dynamic trends in the music streaming economy, the lack of English literature about China's music digital service providers (DSPs), and the author's personal interest and experience compound the reasons for choosing this research topic. The CE project, as a research paper, seeks to address two questions: What are the differences in monetization strategies between Eastern and Western music digital service providers? How can they leverage each other's strengths to foster growth and innovation? A comparative case study method was chosen, focusing on Tencent Music Entertainment Group, Cloud Music Inc, and Spotify Technology S.A as the main samples. The paper's contribution lies in providing a systematic review of the time evolution and market positioning of music DSPs in China. It discusses revenues from online music and music-based social entertainment, while offering insights into potential revenue streams such as content creation and refined musician services.

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  Kazakhstan Music Export Office

  Aigul Moldabayeva
  2023

  This culminating experience presents a business proposal for a music export office in Kazakhstan. The establishment of this office aligns with the government’s desire to foster the growth of the creative industries in the country. Music export offices have a long story of promoting artists through collaborations and partnerships, benefiting various stakeholders in the music industry. European countries have successfully utilized music export as a tool for soft diplomacy, while entities like South Korea’s “KOCCA” and Australia’s “Sounds Australia” have demonstrated significant progress over the past decade. Opening export office in Kazakhstan would benefit the economy, create new workplaces, stimulate the local music industry’s growth and directly impact related sectors such as tourism and technology.

  Throughout the paper we will explore the proposed activities of the export office, examine the necessary budget considerations, discuss pricing policies and overall dive deeper into the dynamics of Kazakhstan’s music market. Given the limited availability of data on the country’s music industry, the research methodology employed for this study involved analyzing interviews conducted with export offices, consulting companies and music industry professionals from Kazakhstan. Additionally, insights from articles, official reports, and essays from specialized sources such as CISAC, Goldman Sachs, Sound Diplomacy were considered.

  The research process provided me with valuable experience in conducting professional interviews, analyzing data, projecting financials, and strategically planning a comprehensive business plan.

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  A Business Plan for Thailand Music Export (TMEX)

  Mariah Mu
  2023

  The project presents a comprehensive business plan for 'Thailand Music Export (TMEX)', a proposed entity envisioned to propel the growth of Thailand's burgeoning music industry. Drawing from the recent global recognition of Thai artists and the proven models of established and emerging music markets, the project aims to bridge the current gaps in the industry – lack of financial backing, insufficient understanding of the global music landscape, and dearth of platforms for international exposure. TMEX, as a government-backed organization, will focus on 'Music Export Activities' and 'Industry Development', facilitating the international projection of Thai artists and establishing a robust industry infrastructure. The project anticipates that TMEX's implementation will not only cater to the local music industry's pressing needs but also stimulate related sectors such as tourism and the broader creative industry.

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  Exploring the Intersection of Policy and the Live Sector

  Anna Nguyen
  2023

  Research exploring the intersection of policy and live music begins with a broad question: what policies influence the live music ecosystem? The objective of this research is to identify and examine those policy factors and critically assess both their contents and implementation to provide a framework for all stakeholders to understand the most important policy considerations when it comes to live music. By performing a regulatory assessment of the policies and implementation tactics of mature live music markets of selected cities known worldwide for their successful and vibrant live music scenes, this research aims to discern what policy considerations and strategies are instrumental in nurturing a vibrant live music scene.

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  Disrupción Records

  Andrea Peters
  2023

  This research paper examines Disrupción Records, an unregistered student-run label sponsored by Berklee College of Music. As a decentralized and democratically inclusive environment, Disrupción Records operates with a focus on youth, independence, and authenticity. In 2023, the label underwent a branding transformation to professionalize its practices and reinforce its core values. The new branding aims to enhance marketability and establish an iconic presence. Disrupción Records serves as a platform for creatives from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their concentration, language, territory, or image, fostering a sense of community and amplifying their work as part of a creative collective. The 2023 team has prioritized transparency and inclusivity, creating a nurturing space for underground and undiscovered talent to connect and support each other on both local and international scales. Through an analysis of Disrupción Records, this research paper explores the impact of student-run labels in empowering emerging artists and fostering a collaborative and inclusive music industry.

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  Rocker Science Business Plan

  Antonio Rosales Cantorín
  2023

  Rocker Science is a talent management agency born from the idea of contributing to strength rock music made by Iberoamerican artists.

  There is a lack of music business professionals paying attention to non-mainstream music, specially when it comes to Rock Music genres like Hard Rock, Grunge, Metal, Alternative or Punk, made by artists from Iberoamerican countries. In this territory there is sustained growth in Latin Music, however rock artists are still displaced, dispite the big presence of talent. As an answer for these unsatisfied demands, we propose the creation of a Talent Management Company that provides Artist Management and Booking Services focused in covering specially this very big nich.

  The main goal of the company is to provide knowledge to Iberoamerican rock artists for promoting their careers and reach their main audiences with a music exchange vision, contributing to both local and global Music Industry.

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  Chapter 2 Entertainment

  Vedansh Shashvat Mishra
  2023

  Chapter 2 Entertainment is conceived from a passion to bridge cultural gaps in music, exploiting underrepresented markets. This project aims to position Latin and Spanish artists in burgeoning Asian music markets, using a unique consultancy model. The project involved rigorous business planning, market research, financial planning, and pricing strategies. The Business Model Canvas was pivotal, shaping the company’s structure and value proposition. The project unearthed a lucrative venture in relatively unexplored territory, offering insights into market dynamics and cultural nuances. The process presented challenges, especially in financial projections and understanding the market. New competencies in business planning and pricing were gained. The project introduces a new perspective in music consultancy, contributing to the field and hinting at promising prospects in the Indian market. It suggests a scalable model for other niche music genres and markets.

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  Business Proposal - Dream Note Records

  Snehal Shikhare
  2023

  This business plan presents the proposal for Dream Note Records, an independent record label based in Mumbai, India. Our primary goal at Dream Note is to support and promote exceptional Indian independent artists who possess genuine artistic vision and authenticity. In a music market largely dominated by mainstream genres like Bollywood or film music, we are dedicated to providing a unique musical experience by showcasing a diverse roster of exceptional artists who push beyond the boundaries of these popular genres. Our aim is to nurture their growth and success, recognising and capitalising on the significant untapped potential of Indian artists.

  This comprehensive business plan provides a macro-level overview of the music industry in India, including market size, current trends, and potential growth opportunities. It also offers a micro-level overview of how we plan to foster artist-label and artist-fan relationships, redefining the modern-day role of music labels. Additionally, we outline our strategy to achieve Product-Market Fit in the current business environment of the Indian market. The deliverables include a website prototype, company identity & core strategies, in-depth market analysis, survey of independent musicians and revenue projections, which will provide prospective investors with a clear understanding of the business intricacies.

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  Jam On: An Analysis of the Market Potential for Jam Bands in Europe

  Adam Stein
  2023

  This project analyzes the market potential for jam bands in Europe. This topic is explored through interviews with artist managers and venue owners as well as data analytics, this paper will explore the major European markets for jam bands. Looking at concerts and touring habits, streaming data, Google Trends reports, and the testimony of people working in this scene, the results conclude that there is a vibrant market for jam band music in Europe. This market is notably smaller than the market in the USA and would be considered a small, niche genre of music in both markets. That being said, there are many issues that exist with up-and-coming artists in this scene trying to break into the European market, and this market is mostly controlled by the major players in the jam band scene.

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  Business Plan

  Magdalena Szuba
  2023

  The Culminating Experience presents my business plan for Startist, driven by my deep motivation to support emerging artists in the music industry. I aim to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed through comprehensive consulting services like strategy development, marketing support, PR, and referrals. This project is important to me because I believe in the potential of emerging artists and want to contribute to their success by addressing the challenges they face.

  Throughout the project, I conducted extensive research and interviews with industry professionals, shaping my tailored consulting services. My deliverables include a detailed business plan, operational strategy, and marketing plans. This process has taught me valuable insights and skills, while also highlighting the challenges in the music consulting landscape.

  The contribution of my project lies in bridging the knowledge gap in the Polish music industry by organizing workshops and educational programs. I seek to equip musicians with industry knowledge and skills to thrive in their careers. Additionally, by fostering international collaborations, I aim to expand the reach of Polish artists globally.

  Looking ahead, I plan to establish strategic partnerships, build a strong client base, and become a prominent player in the music consulting industry. I am excited to continue supporting emerging artists, making a positive impact, and contributing to the field.

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  САМА: a booking agency for female professionals in Russia

  Uliana Tsukanova
  2023

  Women continue to be undervalued in the global music industry, including in Russia. They face sexism, harassment, and a lack of representation in leadership positions. Female technicians are often criticized for their perceived lack of competence. To address these challenges, САМА, an inclusive booking agency exclusively for female professionals, aims to provide support and opportunities for artists and sound engineers. This pioneering project holds immense value for the Russian music industry. It not only promotes gender equality but also benefits various stakeholders, including festivals seeking diverse line-ups and labels in need of trusted live management. Additionally, it contributes to the democratization of Russian society by increasing women's representation as professionals. The agency will prioritize safety by collaborating with reliable promoters, conducting research, and employing its own security measures. Launching the agency is relatively simple, requiring only a laptop, phone, and initial investment to cover the first year's expenses. The business model involves a 20% service fee for both artists and sound engineers, making the firm more profitable as successful negotiations and shows increase. Securing funding from the Russian or foreign government or a gender equality-focused NGO will be crucial. With adequate funding, the company is projected to achieve positive net income of approximately 13,717 euros in its third year and continue growing.

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  Disrupción Records Operational Culminating Experience

  Mai Vo
  2023

  As the Head of Marketing, Operations & Analytics at Disrupción Records, an independent record label operating within the Berklee College of Music campus in Valencia, Spain, I have had the opportunity to work in a unique structure with a new team and roster each year. My role involved overseeing branding and marketing campaigns for the label's imprints and individual artists, managing advertising budgets and campaigns, tracking analytics, conducting interviews and working on press releases, and optimizing marketing operations for the label and its imprints. I faced challenges such as artist conflict resolution, tight budgets, and flexible deadlines, but through problem-solving and collaboration, I achieved positive outcomes. This experience enhanced my skills in marketing, branding, analytics, project management, and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, I started my own imprint, Stillwaters Records, focusing on promoting Asian talent globally, conducting interviews with industry professionals and expanding my network. This reflection paper highlights my work with each imprint, social media analytics, executing live events, and the advertising strategy behind the Disrupción Showcase.

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  The Evolution of LATAM’s Music Streaming Market (2019 - 2021): Data & Qualitative Analysis

  Jose Agüero
  2022

  Latin America is the favored destination for new branches of global firms in the music market, particularly those involved with music streaming, as a result of the internationalization of Latin Music and the accelerated and sustained growth of the region over the last decade. The entry of global corporations as music aggregators, publishing administration services, or digital service providers reveals the attention that LATAM has drawn to itself as a result of its performance in growth rates, broadband and smartphone penetration. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to put an end to the region's persistent expansion, having a significant influence on sales in other music industry sectors such as live entertainment and leaving a huge amount of musicians without occupation. However, what appeared to be a threat to the region's long-term prosperity may now be the definitive catalyst towards legitimate digital consumption in a context where piracy has always been a systemic problem. The most pressing challenge in the current setting is determining how companies involved in music streaming operations may embrace the potential possibilities arising in the region as a result of this phenomena.

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  Business Plan for 'Koza Müzik'

  Hüseyin Altay Durak
  2022

  Koza Müzik LLC is an environmentalist music promoter based in Istanbul. We have two annual indie-music events that are also fundraisers for supporting Turkish non-profits with emphasis on donations and planting trees but not profits. We take a data-driven approach on curating line-ups and an artist-focused approach on marketing the events to create long-lasting effects even after their performances. We promote Turkish non-profits’ efforts to the target audiences by associating them with good experiences and forming communities based on shared values. We form chains of eco-friendly partnerships and provide them online and live channels to showcase their products and services. We take an educational approach to initiate behavioral and cognitive change by organizing workshops and talks during the events. We catch trends to find and support emerging artists, providing “I was there” moments for the audiences.