Pharrell Urges New Acts To Chase Ad Agencies
Hip-hop star Pharrell Williams has said new acts should be chasing advertising agencies rather than looking for record deals. Producer Williams, who fronts the band N.E.R.D., said budding stars should strike music publishing deals to ensure they get paid whenever their music is used. Speaking to the BBC at the Midem music conference, he said acts should “market” themselves. He added they should build websites to showcase their music and personalities. Asked what he would do if he was starting out today, the singer and producer told the BBC:
“I would probably build a site, a home for my music, a destination where people could come and see me and what I do and what I’m thinking about. “And then I’d probably assemble a team of kids that would go and bug the hell out of advertising agencies and marketing companies to use my music.”But backtracking a little, he added: “It’s not that it’s necessarily the day and age of independent artists and independent record companies. “There’s a lot to be said for the majors too. The majors still have a purse that the average kid doesn’t have. But what a kid has that everyone else has is that same ability to market yourself and get yourself out there.”
Don’t know the conditions with the marketing companies and advertising agencies, but TV shows doesn’t hand out publishing money anymore.
Basically, the music publishers own 100% of the music publishing and the music producers only gain writers credits, sometimes not even 100% of the writers credits.
It’s really hard out there.
It seems though that many producers out there that make it comes into the business through someone that is already established.
Neptunes were introduced by Teddy Riley.
Danja by Timbaland.
Redone meet Akon who signed Lady Gaga and the rest is history.