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In the U.S., Universal Music Group Distribution manages the sales, marketing and distribution of Universal Music Group (UMG) assets in all formats including digital, physical, streaming, subscription and mobile. The company has been the industry market share leader for the past fifteen years.

In some markets outside the U.S., UMG companies handle their own distribution and sales. In other markets UMG companies have sub-contracted services to third parties or entered into distribution joint ventures with other record companies. (http:///company)

5SOS are a part of an American Record label within Universal Music Group (Capitol Records), so therefore, Capitol Music Group (CMG) deals with the sales, marketing and distribution of their products. Albums and singles, along with merchandise are distributed into high street retailers, such as HMV across the world and onto online music stores such as iTunes and Amazon. Products are easy to find as CMG promote the band online on every social network, for example, Facebook and Twitter, etc. You are able to find the page to buy their album within one click of the mouse.

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) produce their own music and have done since they started as a band in 2011. Using their own instruments to produce the album ‘5 Seconds of Summer’, they have managed to reach number 1 in 13 major music charts and have entered the top 10 for many more. Their music is written by music producers with a proven track record of creating number 1 hits; however, the band’s input it vital to their image. Autotune is a device or facility for tuning something automatically, especially a piece of computer software which enables the correction of an out-of-tune vocal performance. After many rumours of the band using Autotune, Michael Clifford tweeted: “‘This is too auto tuned’ ITS NOT AUTOTUNE ITS A HARMONY” proving that they don’t use Autotune.

Other artists that are signed to Capitol Records:

Sam Smith, Emeli Sande, Katy Perry, The Beatles, Elton John, Zucchero, Beastie Boys, The Beach Boys and Jennifer Lopez.

Genres of music these artists are classed into:

Katy Perry – Pop

Jennifer Lopez – Pop and R & B

Sam Smith and Emeli Sande – R & B and Soul

Elton John – Soft Rock and R & B

Target audiences for these artists:

Katy Perry – 13 – 21 year old females

Jennifer Lopez – 16 – 34 year olds

Sam Smith & Emeli Sande – Young adults and onwards

Elton John – Broad fan base and age range

Other organisations owned by Vivendi:

Universal Music Group (UMG)

Zaoza

Universal

Vivendi GAMES MOBILE

Do you think the ownership structure (see separate blog post- Vivendi Structure) effects the types of bands signed and the music they produce?

Yes because the bigger companies obviously want to generate more profit and want to continue to operate on a global scale. This means that big companies are able to produce and distribute for bands.  This is known as vertical and horizontal integration.

For an artist such as 5SOS how does being signed to Capitol Records benefit them?

They will earn more money because they will have a higher profit income and a lower profit percentage. They will be well known more globally because of the global reach of the big companies.

What are the drawbacks of being signed to Capitol Records?

They will have no creative freedom in their choice of music produced. They will not have much privacy because of the nature of the job.

Universal Music Group is wholly owned by Vivendi who are a French based company and own many different corporations.

Here is a diagram of the companies structure:

 Vivendi owns from Universal Music Group to Universal to Game. It is a worldwide known company with a large global outreach and is a big company in the media with great power.

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) are an Australian pop rock/pop punk band. The Band consist of Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin. Originally the group were YouTube celebrities posting covers of songs from various artists. They were formed in Sydney in 2011 and in 2012 rose to fame when One Direction invited them to be a support act on their ‘Take Me Home Tour’.

In February 2014, they released ‘She Looks So Perfect’ as their debut worldwide release. Topping the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK, the group then went on to releasing their self-titled debut studio album in June which soared to number 1 in 11 countries. Later that year they followed up their success with a live album, LIVESOS in December.

Capitol Records is a major American Record label that is a part of Capitol Music Group which is owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded as the first west coast-based label in the USA in 1942. Capitol Records have recorded and released material with Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Kingston Trio, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Glen Campbell, Kraftwerk, Frank Zappa, Megadeth, Merle Haggard, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Coldplay and Katy Perry and many others. It is based in Los Angeles, California and founded by Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva and Glenn Wallich. It was once owned by EMI from 1955-2012 recording various genres of music; however in 2012 EMI sold Capitol Records to Universal Music Group along with many other labels to UMG and Warner Music.