Branding up your band? Wise move or sellout?
News: 8th October 2010 by Louise Dodgson under Creative & Branding, Recording & Production
.jpg "Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/casanovapacifista/2410662374/sizes/z/in/photostream/")
As bands & artists venture away from the typical route of signing a record deal, many have found comfort in the arms of big, well-branded corporations who can provide investment and sponsorship opportunities.
Recent news from the US tells us that Converse have gone a step further in building their affiliation with emerging talent by constructing a recording studio which selected bands & artists will be entitled to use for free. The bands in question will also retain copyright. It seems the only thing they need to be prepared to do is have their faces brandished all over the Converse website; I'm sure for some this would be a sacrifice to bear, whilst others would genuinely welcome the exposure.
So, in this day and age is linking up with a corporate investor a wise move, or is it just selling out? The two articles below broach that very same question...
Related Links
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/arts/music/10brand.html?_r=2
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/10/is_it_possible.php
Tags
unsigned bands, unsigned artists, emerging bands, music sponsorship, converse, record deals, record labels
