Take It From An Industry Expert!!!

         Managing social media habits can be a daunting task for even an expert social media user. Even more difficult is the duty for employers to see if their employees are behaving in an ethical manner on social media outlets. Would you want the CFO of you company sharing racy picture over Facebook? Is it acceptable to have your senior accountant on twitter sharing insider financial information with competitors? Obviously these are issues that arise in the new technologically advanced era of social media.

         During litigation lawyers often will view the Facebook pages of all relevant parties in a particular case looking for signs of applicable issues. For example having racy pictures on your Facebook page while undergoing a sexual harassment allegation at work can be a detrimental mistake. Adversely sharing articles on respect for women throughout your Facebook page may show a caring side that otherwise would not have been revealed.

         In regards to patents, sending in multiple variations of an idea on one patent application can be extremely beneficial. This would protect each variation while allowing for wiggle room if a certain variation is denied. As with many parts of a business strategy having a back up intellectual property gives stability. Many issues can arise that stall a particular IP’s success over its lifetime. Having multiple variations prepared gives an economical umbrella.

         Understanding the rights that each individual is given on the Internet is key in today’s entertainment marketplace. Peer-to-peer sharing is a major negative in the eyes of the music industry in particular. Yet, peer-to-peer sharing has some positives that can be exploited with reasonable diligence. When music is being shared at the rates that they currently are, artist are reaching a wider audience then in years past although the revenue suggest differently. Working within the structure provided by the FCC music companies can always deal out comfortably on the Internet with little fear that anyone can block consumer access to the music of their choice. This freedom allows for small music companies to mingle freely in the same market space as enormous music companies.

Outside Sources

Management on Social Media: Good Employee Communication Tool or Liability? (Podcast)

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/management_on_social_media_good_employee_communication_tool_or_liability/

Patents

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/engr-408-patent-law-fall-2009/id431522943

Is Net Neutrality a Virtual Taking?

http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Feed/suffolk-public-dz.4508724109.04508724111

Why You Need A Manager

            The joy of being a professional music artist comes with tons of hard work and credential building. In todays saturated music market the level of competition is enormous. Independent labels sprout like weeds on a summer day as more and more creative individuals embark on the path of musical success. Advances in technology have allowed musicians to create material in the blink of an eye in comparison to decades past. Furthermore, the need to work as a full-time musician has dwindled with the influx of tools to speed up the music creation process. Part-time schedules, typical family life in addition to having another full or part-time job have raised the need for a management team to handle the numerous business affairs of an artist.

            A competent music manager would likely handle multiple duties from business matters, booking agent, promoter, and personal assistant duties to name a few. Couldn’t you use help in these areas? If so then you should hire a manager today! Oh, but I forgot money is tight and there is no way that you could conceivably pay another individual while your barely making ends meet. Well there is no need to get overly excited since most managers are paid on a commission basis. Typically 15% of relevant net income is the commission fee, so a manager would not get paid until you get paid based on your contractual agreement. This alleviates any competing interest and you will know once your manager is contractual bound to your success that when you make money he/she will make money as well.

            As with any entity that you contract to work for you there should be a solid working relationship. You may not love your manager but you should respect the job that they can do for your music career. Another music industry standard for contracts with managers is to have a length of 4 to 12 months. This allows for flexibility especially in the early stages of your relationship with that respective manager/management team.

            Understanding your limitations is a vital part of analyzing your music’s financial potential. Viewing a manager as a part of that success is key. Often in the independent music scene managers are considered leeches. I think after reading WarStation TV’s article, you will realize that an effective manager will leech others for your and their benefit.

 Outside Sources:

Greene, L. A. (2006). so you want to be a music manager?. Cosmo Girl, 8(6), 114. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Oliver, P. G. (2010). The DIY artist: issues of sustainability within local music scenes. Management Decision, 48(9), 1422-1432. doi:10.1108/00251741011082161

 Sutherland, K. (2008). SPIN CITY. BC Business, 36(12), 99-106. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry

   Often the legality of the entertainment industry is overlooked by up and coming artist. It can be something as small as a sample clearance not being completed that can land a new artist in court for copyright infringement. There is a similar case in regards to Michigan rapper Jon Connor. Jon released a tribute song to fallen rapper MC Breed. However, Jon made a major legal mistake. He placed this tribute song on ITunes for sale without getting permission or clearance from the proper authorities.

            MC Breed’s widow Mrs. Natasha Breed filed suit against Jon Connor stating that Jon used portions of an original cut from one of MC Breed’s previous works without getting approval. Accordant to S. Horowitz (2011) Natasha Breed believes that Jon is profiting off of MC Breed’s music material. She totally disagrees with the assumption that he could do so without getting the proper permissions.

            Lets take a look at a major artist that has legal issues to handle as of late. Trey Songz one of the top R&B acts in the world currently has found himself along with his major label in legal hot waters. In late 2010 through early 2011 Trey Songz had a hit single title “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicky Minaj. Doc Mob Records in addition to IHip-Hop Music are suing Trey Songz plus Atlantic Records for 18 million dollars. Atlantic Records is not the only co-defendant named in the mentioned lawsuit. Two of Trey Songz’s managers are named as well for using the song in an advertising campaign. Based on the information I gathered from a Hip-HopDX.com report, this is a typical case of a producer makes a beat initially. Then another producer refines it, next takes it to a label without making sure that the initial producer is credited. I believe that when major labels work this way it sets a horrible tone, and discredits the independent producers. Hopefully the plaintiffs will collect a portion of the lawsuit amount their seeking if these claims are indeed fact.

            Lastly, lets discuss Jay-Z’s successful legal battle against a chef that appeared on the Hells Kitchen TV show. One of the winning contestants from that show used his prize earnings to open a restaurant titled Rockafella in 2006. Entertainment mogul Jay-Z has owned the Rock-A-Fella trademark for nearly two decades now. Courts in the UK ruled that the owner of Rockafella restaurant would be allowed to use the name in the UK for their restaurant and catering business. However, eventually an appellate court overruled the trial court's decision to allow them to use the trademarked name. Since that time the restaurant has closed down. In cases like this Jay-Z having a strong legal team overseas impacted the appeals process. Although the industries are a little different, I agree with the appellate courts decision. Jay-Z may want to create his own restaurant brand overseas using his labels trademark and this decision makes it to where his competitors would not carry the same likeness.

Outside Sources:

MC Breed's Wife Suing Jon Connor For Copyright Infringement

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16236/title.mc-breeds-wife-suing-jon-connor-for-copyright-infringement

Trey Songz Sued Over "Bottoms Up" Track

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13981/title.trey-songz-sued-over-bottoms-up-track

Jay-Z Wins Legal Battle Against Rockafella Restaurant

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.14154/title.jay-z-wins-legal-battle-against-rockafella-restaurant

Why You Need A Manager

           The joy of being a professional music artist comes with tons of hard work and credential building. In todays saturated music market the level of competition is enormous. Independent labels sprout like weeds on a summer day as more and more creative individuals embark on the path of musical success. Advances in technology have allowed musicians to create material in the blink of an eye in comparison to decades past. Furthermore, the need to work as a full-time musician has dwindled with the influx of tools to speed up the music creation process. Part-time schedules, typical family life in addition to having another full or part-time job have raised the need for a management team to handle the numerous business affairs of an artist.

            A competent music manager would likely handle multiple duties from business matters, booking agent, promoter, and personal assistant duties to name a few. Couldn’t you use help in these areas? If so then you should hire a manager today! Oh, but I forgot money is tight and there is no way that you could conceivably pay another individual while your barely making ends meet. Well there is no need to get overly excited since most managers are paid on a commission basis. Typically 15% of relevant net income is the commission fee, so a manager would not get paid until you get paid based on your contractual agreement. This alleviates any competing interest and you will know once your manager is contractual bound to your success that when you make money he/she will make money as well.

            As with any entity that you contract to work for you there should be a solid working relationship. You may not love your manager but you should respect the job that they can do for you music career. Another music industry standard for contracts with managers is to have a length of 4 to 12 months. This allows for flexibility especially in the early stages of your relationship with the respective manager/management team.

            Understanding your limitations is a vital part of analyzing your music’s financial potential. Viewing a manager as a part of that success is key. Often in the independent music scene managers are considered leeches. I think after reading WarStation TV’s article you will realize that an effective manager will leech others for your and their benefit. 

Outside Sources:

Greene, L. A. (2006). so you want to be a music manager?. Cosmo Girl, 8(6), 114. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Oliver, P. G. (2010). The DIY artist: issues of sustainability within local music scenes. Management Decision, 48(9), 1422-1432. doi:10.1108/00251741011082161

Sutherland, K. (2008). SPIN CITY. BC Business, 36(12), 99-106. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

WarStation Publishing - Live Web Site

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Let Them Work for You - Managing Products and People

One of the core elements of the current music industry’s structure is the decision to go independent or seek out a major label. However, there is a major step that precludes that decision, and that step is deciding on what type of management team to work with. Its inherently understood that many artists go the independent route since it can be affordable and bring back instant monetary feedback. Can independent artists manage themselves? Of course they can but a better question is how successful can an artist be if they are responsible for every aspect of their career.    

Wearing many hats is a positive stance to have when an artist goes the independent route. Mainly since it leaves off an expense that a management team needs to be paid. Regardless, if a management team gets paid up front or if they get paid off of future earnings, their service will rarely be free. Therefore, doing the job of a management team on your own can save an artist in a key expense area. It’s important to note, that a particular artist may understand their creative work more then anyone else, but they may not have the expertise to navigate the economical landscape in the same manner that a management team would. Taking this into account an artist could be losing money in the long term due to their inexperience in the management field.

I find that many independent artists have found success working with small managements teams that offer packages such as silver, gold, and platinum packages. For example the silver package may include basic artist promotion with some exposure to local radio stations. Where as the platinum package may include, regional radio play, a listening booth in Best Buy, college tour inclusion and so on. Understanding your product or services value is important but having the right management team to show the outside world you product/services value is even more important.

Follow a Leader!! And Get the Deal Done!!

WarStation TV Exclusive Interview

“BI Bang” 

Entertainment entities in pursuit of local stars that will be national stars, have adapted to hardball tactics during negotiations as a strategy. It takes an intelligent artist with a clear understanding of their role during negotiations, to calmly surf the entertainment waters. Often a young up and coming artist has to make concessions to work alongside a major label. Whenever negotiations get outlandish and diminish an artist’s ability to be creative, they many times opt to go the independent route instead. Many artists build up success over an extended period, and they’ve negotiated deals with major labels, independent labels, plus promotional partners.

This week WarStation TV interviewed BI Bang (BI) a New Jersey based rapper that has exposed his music on a national stage.  BI has recently signed a deal with a management group in hopes of taking his career to the international marketplace as well. He exemplifies the character and tone needed to handle multiple negotiations in the music industry. His experiences in the entertainment industry as well as with negotiations has lead WarStation TV to seek his insight.

WarStation TV: What are some of the projects that you currently have going on?

BI Bang: I recently signed with Honey Management. Honestly, this is the best thing I could’ve done as an artist. Studio wise, I just finished recording my mix-tape “Block N Report 2 Spam” hosted by DJ Dynasty from Jersey City.  I’m working on elevating myself as a father, husband, and as an artist.

WarStation TV: What was the main focus of the negotiations that took place on your end, with regards to music projects that you have going on presently and in the near future?

BI Bang: The main focus is to present the world with my brand of product, which is always to succeed. Many people get it confused with winning, but everyone who wins doesn’t succeed in life. Positive energy is everything to me, and I look at the cup half full rather then half empty.

WarStation TV: How do you differentiate yourself from other artist or entrepreneurs etc.?

BI Bang: At the end of the day, its up to the consumer to tell me why they like me more than another artist or why they hate me more then another artist. But to answer a question like that I’d have to be an arrogant M*fo and I’m far from that.

WarStation TV: Explain some of your music background or any background related information your feel comfortable relaying to your listeners/customers?

BI Bang: I was raised by a spiritually orientated family. So public speaking, elaborate meetings (negotiations etc.), in addition to confession of my soul has always been there. I grew up on a street named Boyd Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey. Major artist such as Nicky D, Apache, Mary J. Brown, and King Sun I met all during my childhood. My mother babysat Biz Markie’s godson right around the time “Vapors” a national hit single dropped and I use to spit Biz Markie’s lyrics to him. So as a child it’s always been there. 

WarStation TV: Any advice for newer artist following in your foots step in music or any other of your industries?

BI Bang: Have a major and minor in life just like they do in college. Nothing is wrong with working a job while pursuing your dream because other people may look at your dream like it’s a nightmare. During an artist’s career stay focused and determined but when you lose the love pass the torch.

WarStation TV: What are your views in regards to negotiations when dealing with independent music projects vs. major label projects?

BI Bang: My views are there is no difference. Some artists forget what they want to do this for. Is it the love or is it the fame? Indie artist mainly do it for the love until they get a taste of money. That power feels good it’s an allure only the strong can deny. If you can’t deny it then you’re lost in between being an artist and entertainer. So the real question is artistry vs. entertaining?  Lol!!!!!

WarStation TV: Where can consumers/listeners reach you?

BI Bang: July 2nd my birthday, shout out to me. This is when my street mix-tape comes out on ITunes plus 10,000 hard copies will be spread out in New York City, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. It's like work I know, but the response to my music is crazy. We’re just looking to succeed in all ways possible, whether in the way we approach the music industry or during negotiations.

You can check out BI Bang - @BI_Bang on Twitter and the following Links:

www.youtube.com/bibang1

www.twitter.com/bi_bang

www.facebook.com/bibang