Megan

AS Media Studies Section B: Institutions and Audiences

The Music Industry: The Big Four

Read the section on pg 10 of your music industry handbook called ‘The Big Four’

1. Write down the names of the big four

EMI, Universal, Sony, Warner

2. What is an ‘independent record label? (find examples of at least four online and state them below)

Dancing Turtle Records

Fierce Panda Records

Southern Fried Records

The Village Thing

3. What type of deal can an ‘indie label have with a major, but still remain independent?

These independent labels find and sign their own acts, but they have a separate contract with a major label to handle manufacturing, distribution, and/or promotion

4. In what ways can the label remain independent with the type of deal above?

more creative control, yet the act is having its album distributed by a major label, which also has an interest in seeing the album become successful

Megan

Now read the article below, dated Friday 11th November and answer the questions which follow

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/nov/11/universal-music-acquisition-emi?newsfeed=true

5. Who now owns EMI?universal

6. How much did they pay for the label and which other major label did they outbid?1.2bn and they outbid warner music.

7. EMI is now subsidiary of universal music group.

8. Is the acquisition an example of vertical or horizontal integration?Horizontal.

9. The 9th paragraph says the acquisition will earn the company 100m a year in ‘SYNERGIES’ or the products generated by the effect that media convergence has.

Look at the link below and list at least 4 examples of these synergies from the sub-headings

http://www.vivendi.com/vivendi/Universal-EN

Music publishing Merchandising The digital music market Recorded music