Brand-owned labels - Services | Independent Labels - Services
Brand-owned labels - Services
With major brands playing an increasingly influential role in the music industry, Absolute provides a one stop label management service for brands that want to release music on their own record label - either as a strategic marketing tool or as a brand extension.
Under its virtual record label model, Absolute can help brands establish and manage a complete record label framework - without being distracted from their core business.
This enables brands to release multiple retail albums and singles on their own label, as well as one-off singles perhaps linked to their above-the-line advertising.
Absolute manages all of the key functions required to get a brands music releases into high street and online music stores including label administration, manufacturing, packaging, stock management, sales, marketing and media promotion.
The company can also provide advice on creative concepts - and the selection and licensing of artists and repertoire.
Artists appearing on a brand-owned record label can help to generate high-profile media exposure that might not otherwise be available to the brand such as television and radio airplay and PR coverage in lifestyle and entertainment media. It also allows a brands imagery to be seen in new areas such as high street music outlets, online music stores and music download sites worldwide.
Absolute can also offer advice on the creation of branded content for rapidly emerging marketing platforms such as podcasts, vodcasts and viral marketing.
The cost of marketing a record is relatively small in comparison with most major brands marketing budgets. But the benefits are huge in terms of the potential additional media and retail exposure for the brand.
Label development
Independent Labels - Services
Absolute offers a comprehensive menu of services which includes:
Label development
Absolute can provide independent advice on the creative and strategic development of your label.
Administration
On your behalf, Absolute is able to register and administer all of your music tracks with the appropriate mechanical and performance royalty collection agencies (including PPL, VPL, Catco and MCPS) - and make sure all licences are correct.
You can also benefit from the support and protection of industry bodies such as BPI and AIM, through Absolute's membership of these important organisations.
Manufacturing
Absolute can manage and oversee all of your manufacturing needs - with the company's manufacturing department responsible for controlling and managing your stock requirements.
Physical Distribution
Absolute has a longstanding agreement with Universal Music which covers physical distribution of your product throughout the UK and Ireland.
Marketing/Promotion
Absolute will initiate, implement and oversee retail and solus marketing and promotion campaigns for your singles and albums - and will also provide advice on release strategy and timing.
Functioning as a 'virtual marketing department' for your label, Absolute can set up a dedicated marketing and promotions team and help to create a tailored campaign for each stage of the release. The Absolute team will attend regular marketing meetings with the label and third-party promotion specialists.
Sales
Absolute works closely with national account managers at Universal Music and with Universal's field sales and telesales operation.
In addition, Absolute provides extra back-up at the new release stage. It then focuses on campaigns and non-traditional sales throughout the lifetime of the release via both the UK retail trade and major exporters.
Online Sales and Marketing
Absolute has an online agreement with Universal Music which ensures that titles are correctly coded and set up on all of the major download retail sites. Absolute's dedicated online and web managers will actively market your product into these sites and will provide advice on all aspects of online and download retailing.
Absolute will also advise you on the appointment of third-party digital/online marketing and promotions specialists - and then oversee their activities on your behalf.
Mobile Sales and Marketing
Absolute's dedicated Mobile Manager will help you take full advantage of the increasingly important mobile music marketplace.
Absolute has agreements and strong relationships with all the main mobile operators, mobile download sites and ringtone companies. It can provide advice on the best route to market to maximise potential income streams and promotional opportunities in the mobile telecoms space.
Compilations/Third-Party exploitation
Absolute's strong relationship with the leading compilation companies means it can place your tracks on TV-advertised and non-TV advertised albums. And its in-house experience in the compilations market also enables it to create exclusive compilations on your behalf.
Synchronisation (TV, Film, Advertising and Computer Games)
Absolute can help to exploit your music tracks through synchronisation deals with companies that use music in films, TV programmes, advertising, computer games and corporate communications.
Third-party music promotions
Absolute can also help to get your music tracks used in brand marketing and sales promotion campaigns by non-music brands.
In short, Absolute operates as a 'virtual record label' on your behalf - with its highly experienced 'back room' team taking care of all of the essential functions needed to ensure that each release gets to market in a professional and timely manner.
