Catalogue Optimisation Service

CATALOGUE OPTIMISATION

What is catalogue optimisation?

Every artist, songwriter and producer leaves a trail of songs and recordings throughout their career which may see them go through various recording and publishing deals. As their catalogue grows there can be a change of manager or lawyer as well as different teams at their original labels and publishers. Over the years, relationships and interaction change and the creator can be left with only having the accounting from the label and publishers as a point of contact.?

Catalogue Optimisation is the process of making sure that the creator’s songs and recordings are correctly managed and represented. Additionally, it is about finding ways to maximise the revenues and creating an awareness amongst music listeners of the artist or songwriters’s musical legacy.

SFM Catalogue Optimisation Service

I have recently completed a project for an artist from the nineties who was signed to major record and publishing companies and I have overseen a major overhaul of a heritage artist’s catalogue. For example, I bought, on behalf of the client, the rights to their debut album and set up a publishing company to administer the catalogue. For another client, I negotiated an improved digital royalty rate and oversaw the writing off of their un-recouped balance.?

My?role changes throughout the process but, essentially, I will become a temporary rights/assets manager for the duration of the project. The catalogue optimisation process will require collaborative input from the client in order for the process to be effective. Once the ball is rolling, I will coordinate and liaise with all of the different parties and work to the client’s goals and timeframe.

SFM Catalogue Optimisation Process

• Review the client’s record and publishing contracts and deliver a status report with recommendations.
• Work with the client and rights holders to deliver on the recommendations in the report.

This can result in:

• Contacting rights holders and establishing a relationship.
• Digital overhaul of catalogue on DSP’s such as Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube etc.
• Re-releases of physical product.
• Rights reversion, deal re-negotiations, improved royalty rates and other commercial terms.
• Engaging with the sync/licensing departments and refreshing the client’s catalogue with the sync community.
• Re-records, new versions, remasters, remixes.
• Collating assets including photographs, press, video, artwork etc.
• Reinvigorating social media channels.
• Organising and coordinating any PR if required.

SFM timeframe & fee structure:

Every situation and project is unique so it will be important to discuss upfront the expectations and timeframe for delivery.

SFM catalogue optimisation starts with a contract review which has a set fee. I will deliver the contract review with a list of recommendations which I can discuss with the client and work out a plan of action for the project. Once the plan has been agreed, I will work on a monthly retainer based on my daily rate. In my experience the process will require a minimum of several months but it could quite easily be more, so please be aware of that. I would invoice after delivering the initial report of recommendations and then monthly for the duration of the project.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work in catalogue optimisation to date. My background in A&R and artist management has enabled me to work closely with the artists and songwriters to deliver the desired results. Sometimes, it can be challenging for clients going over old ground but I aim to make the process as smooth as possible. There is a real sense of satisfaction from both parties when the job is complete and the catalogue is in order."

More about Steve Farris Music:

@stevefarrismusic | Linktree

Contact: [email protected]