Artist & Repertoire Management - Music Business Research

Abstract 3
Being one of the key functions of a record label, artist and repertoire
management provides talent scouting, recruiting and the following step of artist
development. The output of the A&R department is the cornerstone of the later
product which will be commercialized by the label. Nowadays, in times of sales
collapses in the music industry, good A&R work is more needed than ever.
Especially Major Labels are hit hard by this economic depression. Out of the
reason that there is hardly literature about A&R management, this work should
give a comprehensive conspectus of the subject.
The following 3 questions shall be answered in this work:
1. Which econometric model can explain the process of artist development
in the start up unit
2. Should a key function like A&R management be outsourced
3. How should Major Labels change their A&R politics, strategies and their
instruments to secure their domination of the market
BetreuerIn / Supervisor: Albert Manzinger