01
Overview
The business side of an artist's career: development, deal structures, release planning and long-term strategy. Students build a real development plan for an artist, including financial forecasting.
02
Aims of the Course
- Assess artist potential and development needs
- Structure fair deals and contracts
- Plan releases and audience growth
- Manage an artist's finances and welfare
03
Course Structure
01
The Industry Map
- Labels, distributors and publishers
- Streaming economics
- Live and sync revenue
- Roles across the artist team
02
A&R and Development
- Repertoire judgement and critique
- Artist identity and positioning
- Repertoire planning across releases
- Studio and producer pairing
03
Deals and Contracts
- Management agreements
- Record and distribution deals
- Publishing and rights splits
- Negotiating and seeking advice
04
Release Strategy
- Campaign timelines
- Playlisting and radio pathways
- Content and social planning
- Budgeting a campaign
05
Money and Sustainability
- Royalty flows and statements
- Advances, recoupment and debt
- Tour budgeting
- Diversified income planning
06
Duty of Care
- Mental health and touring pressure
- Ethical management and boundaries
- Crisis communication
- Artist development plan presentation
04
Learning Outcomes
- 01Critique an artist's repertoire and positioning
- 02Explain the main deal types and their implications
- 03Build a release campaign with budget
- 04Read and interpret a royalty statement
- 05Present a twelve-month artist development plan
05
Assessment
- Artist development plan
- Contract analysis exercise
- Release campaign budget and timeline
06
Entry Requirements
- Open access; music industry interest essential
07
Progression and Careers
- Artist manager
- A&R coordinator
- Label or distribution account manager