Sony Music

1. Sony:
Record Label Case
Study

2. What is Sony?
• Sony music was set up in 1929, originally
named ‘American Record Corporation’. Several
different record labels had joined together to
make this company and after many name
changes, it settled with the name ‘Sony’ in
1991. Sony has brought out many companies
such as BMG who they were partners with
and became ‘Sony Music Entertainment’ in
2008.

3. • Song music is now one of the biggest
companies that specialises in music and
entertainment. It has signed many of artists
over the years in which some have become
global superstars. They cover a wide range of
music genres which makes them successful.

4. • Sony has set up various of music websites such as
VEVO alongside companies like the Universal
Music Group and Abu Dhabi Media Company. The
purpose of these websites are to promote music
and artists to the public. VEVO was launched on
8th December 2009 and is now a popular website
in which fans around the world try to help their
favourite bands break VEVO records for the ‘most
watched music video’. The current most watched
video under 24 hours is Nicki Minaj – Anaconda.
•

5. • Sony UK Entertainment has a partnership with
Simon Cowell’s label ‘Syco’ which accounts for
75% of Sony Music UK’s profit. They also own
companies such as Columbia, RCA and Sony
CG6. Sony Red distribution company are
owned by Sony Music Entertainment and
handles releases for 50 plus independent
record labels.

6. Marketing
• Sony markets their artists through their official websites.
It’s here where they consistently update their page on band
updates, photos, events and music which all links to the
artists personal social media accounts.
• Although Song distributes many different ways, the artists
play an important part in sharing the responsibility of
promoting their music with the world. By having a social
media account allows the artist to upload their music and
interact with fans to encourage them to buy their work.
Their albums can be brought through iTunes, Amazon, HMV
and supermarkets. The links are usually available on the
social media accounts to all who visits their page.