Franklins Row: The Publisher As The Label
That's the motto of Franklins Row Music Publishing. Formed by several songwriters, this innovative company hopes to combine the attributes of a music publisher with the distribution and marketing of a record label. They concentrate on the creation of singles by writers who are also performers and their model centers on the cost efficiencies of creating and releasing one song at a time.But despite their new business model, Franklins Row has chosen a very old school approach to marketing. The company's first single, "Rock the Girl" by Mesh Lakhani began airing as 30-second paid promos on LA's 102.7 KIIS FM yesterday.
"Our advertisement approach to music promotion allows listeners to decide what they want to hear — while creating ad revenue for radio stations," said Founder and songwriter, Mesh Lakhani. "If listeners like the music, they can request the songs to be played in full. Granted we only have 30 seconds to make an impression, so we make sure to produce only great singles."
All songs are distributed through digital music vendors such as iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and others. As both the publisher and writer, FRMP hopes to recoup from mechanical and performance royalties.
In the new business model the audience is the publisher, the label. In the future the writer, the artist deals with their audience directly. Same buyer and seller, but no intermediary taking a 99% cut. That’s why the middlemen are upset. The artists and their audiences will do just fine without them. And as they go, so we also wave goodbye to their iniquitous monopoly.
This seems to be ignoring everything that has happened in the last 5 years. Sadly (or maybe not) it’s not just a matter of creating great music anymore. If music could speak for itself and gain momentum on its own merit, there would be a lot more successful musicians out there. There (fortunately) is a ton of GREAT music. But there are so many other factors at stake here that assuming the music will speak for itself is a fatal flaw. Not to mention the reliance on traditional advertising which was dead on arrival.
What exactly are the ‘cost efficiencies’ of creating one song at a time?
Finally, “publisher as label” is hardly a new concept.
Haha if they’d like to be cost efficient how about getting Mesh Lakhani’s myspace page up to par before you start a Radio & Publicity campaign.
Mesh Lakhani ( http://www.myspace.com/MeshLakhani )
44 friends and about 30 plays…
Gopi, I disagree with your comments. It sounds like a really interesting concept. Just because a company is doing something that no one else is- doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea. Second, MySpace is saturated with self-promotion, its membership has peaked, it’s poorly run and it’s dramatically cutting its staff. MySpace seems like a method of the past. I don’t think its worthwhile to spend money or time using MySpace. http://is.gd/1qG4f
The quality of artists and music in the Top 40s has really declined. There’s still great music out there- but is it played on mainstream radio? No. But FM radio is still the best method to reach the most listeners and it’s free to listen to. This model seems to allow unknown artists to be heard, even if it is for 30 seconds. Then we can decide if it’s good enough to be played. And, considering that albums sales are down, singles sales continue to grow, it probably makes financial sense for smaller companies to focus on making and promoting one song at a time- rather than an album. Maybe this company has it right.
Crosbie, what you wrote isn’t clear. And your argument (or attempt at one) is flawed. A majority of new artists don’t have the capital for professional studio time or the capital to set up online stores straight from their websites; therefore, they will always need a middleman or financial backer. And to be fair.. since you you are trying so hard to sound intelligent in your comments… the recording industry is an oligopoly- not a monopoly.