I am researching XL Recordings as my independent record label.
How is your label a conglomerate i.e. how many different companies does it own (even if they're not all music related)?
Is your chosen label a global institution i.e. an example of globalisation?
Is you chosen label horizontally integrated i.e. what subsidiary labels does it own? When did it buy them?
Is your chosen label vertically integrated i.e. does it own its own companies for the production AND distribution of their music?
How does your chosen label distribute its music?
Research the A&R department of your chosen label - see if you can find out what's involved any notable agents etc?
Pick one of the artists who is signed to your chosen label, and then try to find out what their deal with the label involves i.e. record deal / contract / royalties. What is a 360 deal? Do they use them - and why?
Convergence of technology - does it produce / sell / promote technologies that are integrated (allow the audience to do more than one thing in one place)?
Convergence of industrial activity - does the label that you're researching deal with every / several stages of the production / distributions processes (this is virtually the same as being vertically integrated)?
Can you find an example of how your chosen label achieves synergy? I.e. pick a single by an artist on one of its labels and then try to find out how the major utilised its other companies to sell that single e.g. does it also appear on a film / game soundtrack? Did they use it in an advertising campaign to sell some of its technological products i.e. a phone?
How does your major label approach plugging / marketing? I.e. pick a single by an artist on one of its labels and then try to find out how the star 'plugged' that single (guest appearances, articles in magazines etc.)
Does your label still sell analogue products e.g. vinyl / cassettes? If so, why?
Jack White released his latest album on vinyl blunderbuss also The White Stripes released their album Hand Springs on vinyl, they are both signed to XL Recordings
How has your major label embraced digitalisation? I.e. how many ways can the audience access its products digitally?
Has your major label had any (legal) issues with digitalisation?
Has your major label been an early adopter? I.e. did it get on board with social networking at an early / late stage?
How has Web 2.0 benefitted your major label?
Has you major label engaged with portability / miniaturisation? I.e. does it sell / endorse products that make music / devices smaller and easier to take with you?
Does your major label cater for mainstream audiences? Are there any ways in which it could be seen to cater for niche audiences too?
Through the process of digitalisation more and more products are available to purchase through the web 2.0 due to its interactive platform. Before music that catering a niche audience may have been hard to find because they didn’t sell it to such a mass audience and only in specific places, whereas now a majority of music is available to purchase and download from several outlets e.g. iTunes, amazon.com and other MP3 download sites.
How do active audiences get involved with major labels?
What do major labels do for fans?
Do major labels cater for audiophiles? How?
Releasing on analogue forms as well
How do audiences tend to consume the products of major labels? i.e. what are the options and can you get any sales figures etc.?
How has Web 2.0 benefitted audiences?
How do meta-tags / personalisation benefit audiences?
What are the advantages of streaming for an audience? Where do audiences go to do this?
What are the advantages of downloading for an audience? Where do audiences go to do?
What's the problem with peer to peer file sharing? What is the industry reaction to this when treated as a form of piracy?
Do audiences view sampling as an easy way to write a single, or as a valid form within music? Are there any examples of successful sampling by an artist signed to your major label?
References
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