Toby Bennett, "Corporate Life in the Digital Music Industry: Remaking the Major Record Label from the Inside Out" (Bloomsbury, 2024)
Dec 5, 2024
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Toby Bennett, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster, dives deep into the digital transformation of the music industry. He shares insights on the evolving corporate structures of major record labels and the challenges artists face in this landscape. Bennett discusses the intricate dynamics between commercial roles and creative aspirations, revealing the unique cultures within music organizations. He also highlights the tension between data analytics and artistic expression, showcasing how these elements shape the industry's future.
The podcast highlights the transformative impact of digital platforms on the music industry, reshaping income models and professional roles.
It discusses the unique corporate culture within record labels, where employees' passion for music influences their hybrid professional identities and workplace dynamics.
Deep dives
The Role of Corporate Life in the Music Industry
The podcast discusses corporate life within the digital music industry, focusing on how professionals navigate their roles within major record labels. It highlights the importance of rights management, an area that has become crucial amid the industry’s transformations over the last 25 years. The speaker draws on personal experiences to emphasize that many corporate roles may seem mundane but are essential for the industry's functionality and stability. By shedding light on this perspective, the podcast illustrates a critical examination of the music industry's evolution and the often-overlooked elements of corporate life.
Understanding the Record Industry's Current Landscape
A key theme explored is the significant changes that have reshaped the record industry, particularly the shift away from physical product sales towards digital platforms and streaming. The speaker notes the difficulties faced by industry professionals in defining what the record industry actually is today, as traditional income streams dwindle and new models emerge. There is also an emphasis on the interconnectedness of various sectors within the music industry, as different components like live performances and publishing converge into a more unified system. This ongoing transformation invites both professionals and researchers to revisit how the industry is classified and understood in today’s context.
The Dynamics of Corporate Culture in Music
The podcast delves into corporate culture within record labels, specifically how employees identify as part of the music industry despite working in seemingly generic roles like finance or legal affairs. A sense of shared passion for music permeates these roles, shaping workplace dynamics and fostering a unique culture distinct from more traditional corporate environments. This passion often leads employees to feel privileged to work in the industry, instilling a drive to contribute positively to music culture. However, the discussion also raises concerns about the potential downsides of such a culture, including tolerance for toxic behavior based on perceived artistic merit.
Hybrid Professional Identities and Industry Challenges
The conversation explores the notion of hybrid professional identities among workers in the music industry, particularly administrators who balance bureaucratic tasks with a deep love for music. Employees often struggle to articulate the significance of their roles, as their day-to-day responsibilities may not align with the creative aspects of the industry. Additionally, the podcast underscores the challenges posed by professionalization, where increased structure and transparency can come at the cost of the industry's unique qualities. The tension between maintaining artistic freedom and adapting to formal corporate practices is a recurring dilemma within the evolving landscape of the music business.
How does the music industry actually work? In Corporate Life in the Digital Music Industry: Remaking the Major Record Label from the Inside OutToby Bennett, a Senior Lecturer in Media, Culture & Organisation in the School of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster offers a deep ethnography of everyday life in a contemporary record company. The book examines the challenges facing music, both businesses and artists, as digital transforms every element of the industry. Offering a detailed theoretical framework for understanding these changes, as well as rich details on the ordinary organisational practices that keep the music industry running, the book will be essential reading across humanities, social sciences, and for anyone interested in music and culture industries.
Dave O'Brien is Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries, at the University of Manchester.