Research: Institutions

MEDIA INSTITUTIONS IDENTIFICATION

Most artists are signed to a record label, which is the foundations of their contract. The contract includes information such as how many albums they have to release. Often, record label owners receive a fraction of profit generated by the artist. Record labels are branched off media institutions; conglomerates. These are companies who help produce and fund music videos for their signed artists. These institutions work in trade outside of the music industry too, like internet. 

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The benefits of working with a leading institution include:

• Help (financial, promotional, etc)
• Recognition
• Diffusing of established audiences
• Scope for collaborations with big artists
• Reaching a global scale to be globally renowned

e.g. Michael Jackson as the 'King Of Pop'. 

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EMI

EMI, founded March 1931, is one of the worlds leading music companies. They own international institutions, such as Virgin - and their own record labels, like Angel, Blue Note and Capitol. Most artists funded by EMI are very niche and unheard of by the general public, such as:

• Corinne Bailey Rae
• Raekwon
• Raining Pleasure (Capitol/Blue Note)
• Marion Raven (former M2M, Capitol as of 2008)
• RBD

Though EMI have many famous artists, like: 

• Mariah Carey
• Katy Perry
• Rod Hot Chili Peppers
• Omarion
• Radiohead
• Snoop Dogg
• Spice Girls
• Kylie Minogue

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Sony

Sony changed its name in 2008 from Sony BMG Music Entertainment to Sony Music Entertainment. They own record labels that cater to mainstream, international superstars. Like EMI, they offer a diversity of genres such as punk, R&B and pop.  Record labels include Arista Records, Colombia Records and J Records.

Famous artists within Sony:

• Avril Lavigne
• Britney Spears    
• Beyonce
• One Direction
• Pitbull

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UMG

Being the worlds largest music content company, UMG are able to find and develop niche artists while maintaining their global success. They market and promote undiscovered music over a wide range of platforms to bring more success to 'alternative' genres.

Famous artists within UMG include:

• Akon
• Busta Rhymes
• Nicki Minaj
• Justin Bieber
• Cheryl Cole
• Adele

                             

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Warner

This institution does not reach the same global scale as the others, despite being internationally successful. Warner helps artists to achieve long-term creative and financial success by satisfying customers in the best ways possible. Unlike Sony, Warner keep artists for a long time which stabilizes their place in the small circle of success. Record labels include Atlantic, Asylum, Elektra and Warner Bros. 

Their artists feature:                                              

• T.I.
• Bruno Mars
• Paramore
• B.O.B

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DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SIGNED TO A RECORD LABEL:

• If an artist stops selling for a while they could lose their contract
• The contract may tell them to do things that aren't their style or interests
• Most of the profits from album sales goes to the record label
• This is why artists tour and converge

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I value raw talent more than reputation of the untalented. Generally speaking, mainstream music (particularly pop) owes it's massive audience to attractive faces and simple, catchy tunes. Therefore, if I had to pick which institution to sign with, I would pick Warner. They are known to build up the profiles of new styles of music, therefore bringing forth both talent and popularity.