Record labels are businesses, and as such, they have a hierarchical structure in order to efficiently manage their employees and operations. This article will outline the various positions within a record label company, as well as their responsibilities. We will also list the common departments found in record label companies and provide a sample organizational chart for reference.
Hierarchy Within a Record Label Company
First, let’s discuss the hierarchy within a record label company. For the most part, the hierarchy is similar to that of any other business. There is a CEO or owner at the top, followed by a president, vice president, directors, and then management and staff. However, record labels also have artists that they sign and work with who are considered members of the organization.
Owners/CEO
The owner or CEO of a record label is the highest authority in the company. This person is responsible for the overall operation of the record label and makes all of the final decisions.
President
The president is the second-in-command at a record label. This person reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. This includes casting the vision of the company, managing the staff, overseeing budgets, and making sure that the record label is meeting its goals.
Vice President
The vice president is similar to the president, in that reports are made directly to the CEO and the responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company is part of the role. However, the vice president typically has a specific focus, such as A&R or marketing.
Directors
Directors report to the vice president and are responsible for a specific area of the record label. For example, the director of A&R is responsible for finding and signing new artists. Other common directors include the director of marketing, director of sales, and director of publicity.
Management
Management is responsible for the artists that are signed to the record label. This includes managing their careers, booking their shows, and handling their day-to-day needs.
Staff
The staff of a record label company consists of the various employees that work in the different departments. These employees have specific job titles and responsibilities within their department.
Artists
Record label artists are individuals that the label chooses to sign, comprising the creative minds behind the music released by the record label.
Now that we’ve gone over the hierarchy within a record label company, let’s discuss the different departments that are typically found in these companies.
Departments Found In Record Label Companies
Record label companies have various departments that are responsible for different aspects of the business. These departments include A&R, marketing, sales, publicity, and more.
A&R
A&R stands for Artists and Repertoire. The A&R department is responsible for finding and signing new artists to the record label. They are also responsible for developing the artists and helping them to create their albums. Some of the job titles that make up the A&R department include A&R scout, A&R coordinator, and A&R manager.
Marketing
The marketing department is responsible for promoting the artists and their music. This includes creating marketing campaigns for record labels, booking shows, and working with the media. Some of the job titles that make up the marketing department include marketing coordinator, marketing manager, and social media specialist.
Sales
The sales department is responsible for selling the products of the record label. This includes physical albums, digital downloads, and merchandise. Some of the job titles that make up the sales department include sales representative, sales manager, and e-commerce manager.
Publicity
The publicity department is responsible for generating buzz around the artists and their music. This includes working with the media to get coverage, arranging interviews, and sending out press releases. Some of the job titles that make up the publicity department include publicist, publicity coordinator, and publicity assistant.
Artist Development
The artist development department is responsible for helping the artists grow and develop their careers. This includes providing mentorship, arranging training, and giving feedback on their work. Some of the job titles that make up the artist development department include artist development manager, creative director, and studio manager.
Business Operations
The business operations department is responsible for the day-to-day business of the record label. This includes managing finances, handling legal matters, and keeping the office running smoothly. Some of the job titles that make up the business operations department include business manager, office manager, and accountant.
Legal
The legal department is responsible for handling the record label’s legal matters. This includes drafting record label contracts, negotiating deals, and protecting the record label’s interests. Some of the job titles that make up the legal department include lawyer, paralegal, and legal assistant.
New Media
The new media department is responsible for managing the record label’s online presence. This includes creating and managing websites, social media accounts, and digital marketing campaigns. Some of the job titles that make up the new media department include web developer, graphic designer, and digital marketer.
Promotions
The promotions department is responsible for promoting the record label’s artists and their music. This includes booking shows, arranging interviews, and sending out press releases. Some of the job titles that make up the promotions department include promoter, radio programmer, and street team coordinator.
A Sample Organizational Chart
Now that the different departments that are found in record label companies have been outlined, let’s take a look at an example of an organizational chart. This will give you a better understanding of how 1these companies are structured.
Conclusion
If you are considering starting a record label company, there are several organizational roles that will need to be established. The line of responsibility flows down from the CEO to the president, vice president and on to the manager and coordinator levels, just as these positions do in most corporations. It is important to know which each position represents, how these roles fit together and why they will be integral to the successful start of your record label company.