module specification

This module develops the student’s knowledge of the artist management business, by focusing on historical and current issues, as well as the acquisition of practical skills.
The module provides an intellectual framework for management of the music business, within the UK and internationally. It uses real-life practitioner case-study examples and industry frameworks and enables students to develop the necessary management competencies to operate successfully as artist managers and/or self-employed performers within the music business. It will cover key areas from artist management activities, recorded music, digital technology, business planning, production, royalties, through to live music, distribution, promotion, and copyright. The aim is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the scope and nature of the music management processes, from the development of creative ‘product’ to its distribution and consumption by the end-consumer.

ESJ Framework:

This module will give students the opportunity to choose their subject of assessment within the syllabus according to their own particular interests, in accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework.
This module will place students at the heart of their learning experience, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally within their chosen legal employment sector. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework. Artist Management and business is a rapidly growing international sector, offering diverse employability opportunities to future-ready students.

Module Aims:

1. To explain the role of management and managers within the music business
2. To explain the contractual relationships and legal and financial implications of artist management
3. To enable students to understand how to manage the business affairs of performing artists, and start-up a management business, and secure employment in the sector
4. To develop the attributes of self-evaluation and a creative and ethical approach in a variety of contexts, informing career orientation

NO

The skills and competencies of the music business manager LO1

Advising performing artists, bands, writers, producers and business partners on their careers LO2

Artist and performer revenues, legal and contractual rights LO2, LO3

Structuring and negotiation of deals for the artist; composition and recording, production, live music, promotion and development, digital business, independent artists, DIY, major corporations, contract issues, royalties, retail and distribution. LO3

Business start-ups; setting up a music management business, protecting and developing the artist and the manager’s business interests LO4

Entrepreneurship and employability in the modern music business, including fan-funding, social media, UGC channels, digital service providers, live music, record labels, streaming, radio, brands, sponsorship, and licensing. LO4

-Formal delivery: of the teaching and learning will be based on three contact hours per week
spread over 12 weeks with an additional enrichment week mid-way through the module. The teaching and learning techniques employed on the module will consist of the following: workshops, case-study discussions, videos, as well as problem solving questions in relation to current Artist Management issues. Where possible, guest speakers will be invited.
-Outside of class contact hours: students will also be expected to undertake independent study and collaborative work (reading, discussions and own/group research).
-In class students will be set home study questions to prepare for the next class. Students are responsible for preparing for class, and studying relevant materials (articles, texts, case study, video etc) before coming. Teaching is delivered through a blended learning model, using weekly classroom workshops and Weblearn Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), in order to explore themes and identify issues typical of the Artist Management sector.
-Feedback -Students will receive both formative and summative feedback for their assessment, within 15 week days.

Assessment & ESJ Framework:

1.Formative Assessment: In preparation for the assessment, students will be invited to collaborate in groups on an early formative assignment in week 5.
In accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework, this is designed to help students’ build confidence, self-efficacy and emotional resilience, and creating trust and safe spaces to enable our students to express themselves and have their contributions validated.
Seminars will also be used to facilitate the building of good relations among students and teachers and develop peer relations and the use of peer support.
Opportunities for reflective learning will be available throughout the module as students are given the opportunity to consider their approach to tasks/discussions, whilst having the opportunity to reflect upon informal feedback.

2. Summative Assessment

This module will give students the opportunity to choose the subject of assessment within the syllabus, according to their own particular interests.
In accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework, this will help our student partners become co-creators of assessment knowledge, researching ideas about content that reflects individual students’ identities, experiences and interests. The opportunity to choose the assessment topic and format aims to reduce assessment anxiety and develop student confidence.
This module is designed to help students to self-evaluate, to aid decision making, to learn from mistakes and to help orientate the students’ future career and build employability skills.

On successful completion of the module, students will demonstrate their ability to:
1. Analyse the role and importance of the music business manager (LO1)
2. Formulate managerial advice for performing artists in hypothetical situations, including how to strategize and launch a new artist, and evolve an established artist career (LO2)
3. Understand the complex relationships between inter alia; the manager and recording, production, distribution, publishing, licensing, touring, streaming, digital business, branding, social media and traditional media, merchandise, lawyers, agents and the performing artist (LO3)
4. Understand how to start-up and run an artist/music management business, including infrastructure and resources (LO4)

Online Reading List:
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/7CE71F9C-52FA-80B4-30F1-78D76DED1865.html?lang=en-GB

Texts:
Passman, D. (2023) All you need to know about the Music Business. Penguin Books

Music Managers Forum (2017) The MMF Guide To Professional Music Management. Sanctuary Publishing
Branson, R. (1998) Losing My Virginity: How I've Had Fun & Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

Reading List:
https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/lists/7F984FDE-FC23-F760-FC6E-394AA5392ABF

Recommended:
Harrison,A (2018) Music The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals. Virgin Books
Anderson, T. J., (2014) Popular Music in a Digital Music Economy: Problems and Practices
Burns, P. (2011) Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 3rd ed. Palgrave, Hampshire, UK.
Frascogna JR, X. M. & Hetherington, H.L. (1998) The Business of Artist Management, Billboard Publications
King, M. (2009) Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution, and Retail. Berklee: Berklee Press Publications
Kusek, D & Leonhard, G (2005) The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution (Omnibus Press)
Marketing Lessons From The Grateful Dead (What Every Business Can Learn From The Most Iconic
Harrison, A. (2017) Music: The Business – The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals. 7th ed. Virgin Books.
Krueger, J. (2022) Rock Star Branding: Become a Rock Star in Your Industry. Self-published.
Negus, K. (1999) Music Genres and Corporate Cultures. Routledge.
Wikstrom, P. (2009) The Music Industry: Music in the Cloud. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Marshall, L. (2013) ‘The 360 Deal and the “New” Music Industry’, European Journal of Cultural Studies, 16(1), pp. 77–99.

Journals
Music Week
Music Business Worldwide
Digital Music News
Billboard
Wired
Rolling Stone

Relevant law journals are available from the library (hardcopies) and on-line library resources (e.g. Lexis Library and WestLaw)

Industry Bodies
Music Managers Forum (MMF UK) – https://www.themmf.net
Association of Independent Music (AIM) – https://www.aim.org.uk.
IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) – https://www.ifpi.org.
PRS for Music – https://www.prsformusic.com
PPL UK – https://www.ppluk.com
Music Ally – https://musically.com

Market Reports
MIDiA Research – https://www.midiaresearch.com
Statista – Music Industry – https://www.statista.com/topics/1639/music/

Podcasts:
Your Morning Coffee Podcast –.
Creative Juice Podcast –

LINK (to be provided when VLE active)