A record label coordinates the production, distribution, and marketing of music recordings and videos. There are two main types: major labels and independent labels. Most recording artists rely on record labels to broaden their audience, promote their albums, and market their music and videos through various media outlets. The document provides tasks for researching record labels and their responsibilities, determining whether an artist would sign with a major or independent label, choosing the best existing label for an artist, and considering copyright implications when using music in media productions.

1. 
Record Labels
1 lesson

2.  A record label is a brand associated with the marketing of
music recordings and music videos.
 A record label is the company that
 coordinates the production, manufacture and distribution of
music
 Markets and promotes the artist/song
 Enforces copyright protection of songs and music videos
 Conducts talent scouting and development of new artists
 Maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers.

3.  There are two main types of record labels major labels
and independent labels.
 Within the music industry; most recording artists have
become increasingly reliant upon record labels to
broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and
be both promoted and heard on mp3, radio, etc. and of
course television also, with publicists that assist
performers in positive media reports to market their
merchandise, and make it available via stores and other
media outlets. The Internet has increasingly been a way
that some artists avoid costs and gain new audiences, as
well as the use of videos in some cases, to sell their
products.

4. YourTask
1. Research what record labels are and what they do and give me a short explanation.
2. Decide whether your artist would be signed to a major or independent record label and tell me why.
3. What existing record label would your artist be most suited to?
4. Tell me a brief history of the record label you think your artist is best suited to. What are their origins?
What other artists do they have signed? Do they specialise in certain type of music or do they have a
very broad genre base?
5. What is copyright and how are the record labels responsible for this?
6. What do you need to consider as you are using copyrighted music? What are you not allowed to do
with your music video? What can you do?
7. How are you going to use what you have learned about record labels and copyright in your
productions? e.g. adding the logo to the digipack and advert. Copyright logos etc.
8. You can present this in any way you wish. Remember it needs to look engaging. Do not do a page with
only text. Use the CREATIVE IDEAS tab to give you some ideas.

5. Your Record Label
 What is your record label called?
 Design a logo for this label
 Tell me a history of the label.
 What are its origins?
 What other artists would they like to sign?
 Are they independent or a major label?

6. Permission
 To show that you understand the copyright
implications for the industry. Write a letter/email to
the record label that owns the song that you are
using asking them for permission to use it for your
media production and that you are not using it for
promotion or to earn money.