Music Industry Deals: Distribution with a major label takes a lot of preparation

As an independent artist, you need to think about the kind of deal that you ask for based on your readiness to proceed. 

Artist Deals- Sign directly to the labels and the labels pay the cost and reap the most benefits. 

Production Deals- You create the product and partner with the label to pay for everything except the cost of prodution. 

Label/Distribution Deals- Means that you come to the tabel prepared to run your own label, pay for production, share the cost of Marketing, Promotion, Manufacturring, Packaging, and Radio etc.

Distribution with a major label takes a lot of preparation. Therefore, please read the info on my blog: http://palacemusicgroup.blogspot.com/2012/09/artists-do-you-think-like-entreprenuers.html

You must be ready for a distribution deal in order to get one.

Below is the information you need to get started. Please be sure to include the list of catalog titles you will be bringing on board and the current roster, and the tentative release schedule for 2012.

The more information included, the better.

NEW LABEL CRITERIA
• Label Name
• Key principals and total number of staff
o Sales Manager
o Head of Marketing
• Date of establishment – if start-up label, see below***
• Full history of record label
• Full mailing address
• Website address
• Current Distributor
• Artist Roster
• List of catalog titles including:
o Release date
o Soundscan current year-to-date
o Soundscan totals for 2010
o Soundscan totals for 2009
o Soundscan totals for 2008
• 2009 vs. 2010 Gross Billing & Returns
• 2011 Sales to date
• Financial Statements for the last two years
o Balance Sheet
o Income Statement
• Cash Flows 

• Projected release schedule for next 12 months with estimated release dates, sales, and initial ship quantities. Also include sales history where applicable 

• Marketing Plans and Budgets for key new releases

* labels with no sales history must provide evidence of capital funding sufficient to cover 19 months of operations.

Please send any music or additional materials to the following address.

UMCG c/o Rhoda Lawrence
Universal Hollywood Drive
Suite #400
Universal City, CA 91608

All physical submissions must be accompanied by an electronic submission. Anything you submit will not be returned to you.

UMCG || 111 Universal Hollywood Drive, Suite #400 || Universal City, CA 91608