WHO DOES WHAT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

The music industry, like any other industry is complex. It requires the skills and efforts of many people doing many different jobs. Most indie recording efforts fail because they fail to realize the importance of activities beyond creating music and manufacturing a CD.

In broad strokes, the industry can be broken down into eleven areas. It starts with those who create, but then goes to those who record, administer, manufacture, sell, distribute, advise, support, use, protect, and account. Let’s look at who operates in each of these areas and understand that many professionals operate in several areas. To that end the primary list under each heading contains the entities that are usually involved in that area. The secondary list contains those that are sometimes involved. An example of this would be a Producer who both directs the recording session and also becomes very involved in the creation of the actual music. That producer would be listed in the secondary list of creation as well as the primary list of recording and administration.

Creation
The artistic creation of original intellectual property such as songs, photographs, CD packages, videos, stage shows etc.

Songwriters
Photographers
Graphic Artists

Can Also Be Involved:
Producers
Studio Musicians
Arrangers
Stage Musicians
Video Producers

Recording
The development and capturing of original creations and performances on to a physical medium.

Studios
Producers
Studio Musicians
Engineers

Can Also Be Involved:
A & R
Video Companies


Administration
The organization, planning, record keeping and evaluation of each project.

Label Executive
A & R Department
Managers
Publishing Company
Business Affairs Department
Marketing Department
Producer
Road Manager

Can Also Be Involved:
Lawyers
Legal Department
Accountants

Manufacturing
The mass production of a product for sale.

Pressing Plant
Printer
Merchandise manufacturer
Shipping Companies

Can Also Be Involved:
Film House
Marketing Department
Business Affairs

Selling
The creation of a desire to buy, use, or talk about a product.

Marketing Department
Promotion Department
Publicity Department
Sales Department
Agents
Manager
Merchandising
Publishing
Retail

Can Also Be Involved:
Advertising Agency
Media Buyers

Distribution
The process of getting product from point A to point B.

Distributors
Major Labels
Shipping Companies
Retail
Online Retail
Mail Order

Can Also Be Involved:
Compilations

Advisors
Specialists whose depth of knowledge, experience and training on a given subject is greater than those in need of the advice.

Managers
Lawyers
Accountants
Stylists
Publicists

Can Also Be Involved:
A & R

Support
Those who enable and enhance the primary activity.

Road Crew
Assistants
Drivers

Can Also Be Involved:
Travel Agents
Security

Users of Creative Product
Those who use a product in return for compensation.

Consumer
Radio
Concert Promoters
Stage Musicians
Film Soundtracks
Television
Background Music
Advertising
Ringtones

Can Also Be Involved:
Charities

Protect
Ensures the legal, financial and physical rights and safety.

Manager
Lawyer
Copyright Societies
Unions
Accountant

Can Also Be Involved:
Security

Accounting
Collects, records, organizes, publishes and verifies all financial information.

Accountant
Business Affairs
Publisher
Manager
Copyright Societies
Licensing Companies

Can Also Be Involved:
Road Manager

Each one of these functions are complex in their own right and require an advanced skill set. No project can be deemed ultimately successful if any of these activities fail. The history of the music industry is rife with stories of artists that created wonderful music that consumers wanted, but who ultimately failed due to bad advice, chaotic accounting, lack of good distribution etc.