label management
I want to start a label. where can you help?
Frank
great move! we can take care of the day-to-day running of your label, from contracts and distribution to keeping the release schedule on track.
Florian
and we'll set up the DSP profiles and a release plan with you, and work out whether pitching runs through your distributor or through our own network.
Frank
if you want more than that, we can take it from a to z, including online marketing, social media, artwork and visuals like Spotify Canvas animations and YouTube videos.
Frank
is there anything in place yet, or can you tell us a bit about what you have in mind?
answer by emailI already run a label. what would you take over?
Frank
whatever is needed, since every scope is tailor-made. that can range from contracts and distribution to the roster and the release flow.
Florian
as Frank says, it depends on the plan we make together, but day to day it could mean handling the approvals, metadata, splits and deadlines across your release schedule.
Frank
the creative decisions always stay with you and your team, and we make sure the rest is taken care of.
who handles the contracts?
Frank
we do. contracts and negotiations are part of label management, always after a briefing from you on where there's room to negotiate.
Frank
that can be about the term, advances, remix fees or a marketing and promo commitment.
Frank
usually we start from your existing template, and if there isn't one yet, we can get one set up as part of the scope.
Florian
and once signed, we administer every agreement in LabelOS, the label and release management system we built ourselves, including the splits and approvals.
how does a label setup work?
Frank
that depends on how far along you are. if you're starting from scratch, we first map out the options, like which distributors fit your sound and plans.
Florian
then we set up the label together: the distribution strategy, label profiles on the DSPs and the pitching route, via the distributor or through our own network.
Frank
that takes roughly 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the scope, and in parallel or right after we start scheduling music and conversations with artists.
Frank
we're happy to think along proactively, or to simply follow your lead as the curator and owner of the label or your imprint.
how do you work with distributors and DSPs?
Frank
that's a big part of what we do. we help you select and onboard the right distribution partner, and manage the relationship day to day.
Frank
depending on what you want, that's a partner who also pitches to the editorial teams, and we can add pitching through our own network too.
Florian
and on our side we prepare the metadata, the delivery and all the texts and assets the distributor or the pitching team needs, so every release reaches the platforms complete and on time.
artist & project management
I'm an artist or manager. how do you work with my team?
Frank
we act as the day-to-day contact between you, your label and the campaign partners, for everything around the music and the releases.
Florian
how much we take on depends on the role you need, and we bring experience from every part of the job, so we can fill in where it helps.
Frank
bookings and the promoter side are a separate field, so we leave those with specialists like your booking agent, and focus on the music, the releases and the projects.
I have several projects at once. who keeps the overview?
Frank
it can be overwhelming, and running several projects at the same time is exactly what we specialize in, based on experience and on LabelOS, the system we built ourselves.
Florian
and in there every release, campaign and collaboration has its own deadlines, feedback and delivery, all in one overview.
Frank
so you have one contact who knows where everything stands, instead of chasing five different threads.
how do you work with all the stakeholders?
Frank
closely, and from the start. the managers, labels, promo agencies and partners around a release are the people who help get your music out there.
Frank
we know how important it is to take everyone along on the journey, so we keep them in the loop, agree on who does what and make sure we're all working towards the same goal.
Florian
and Frank and I have done that together for 5+ years, on both the label and the artist side, from social media to project and product management.
what have you worked on?
Frank
over 15 years in electronic music, including over 12 years at Armada Music, where I worked my way from release coordinator to team lead of product and international.
Frank
so I've been through every part of the release and label chain, with artists from Armin van Buuren to MEDUZA and Charlotte de Witte to Loud Luxury, for example.
Frank
you'll find the full overview at the top of this page, and Florian and I have worked together for 5+ years already.
Florian
on both the label and the artist side, from social media to project and product management.
how does communication work?
Frank
whatever works best for you or your team. we don't have a preferred channel, so whether it's WhatsApp, email or something else, we'll go with that.
Frank
we're available every day, because that's how the music industry works. we don't believe in fixed office hours.
Florian
and as soon as something needs a decision, you'll hear from us.
release & campaign strategy and coordination
I have releases scheduled. what now?
Frank
first we look at where things stand: what your goal is with the releases, what's already in motion, and whether we need to gear up or just fine-tune.
Florian
then we check per release whether all assets are in place and whether everyone involved, from the distributor and the DSPs to the promo agencies, is fully informed.
Frank
from there we look at where a campaign could help, like DJ promo, playlists or pitching through the distributor or our own network.
how do you build a campaign?
Frank
we can manage a campaign from a to z, from the release plan and pitching, through the distributor or our own network, to DJ promo, third-party playlists, social media and PR.
Florian
and we coordinate everything around it, like the assets, artwork, Spotify Canvas, YouTube videos and the content calendar.
Frank
once it's live we follow the traction closely, from DJ support and playlists to social media, and adjust the pacing where needed.
Frank
and if you only need part of it, like just the DJ promo or the socials, that works too, since everything is tailor-made.
who handles DJ promo?
Frank
that depends on what you prefer. we manage the Inflyte accounts of our clients, but we're just as happy to work with your own setup or promo agency.
Florian
when we run it, we set up the promo, send it out and track the support that comes in.
Frank
either way, your DJ list and promos stay private and in good hands.
what happens when a release gets stuck?
Frank
that depends on when. before release, it's rarely for a dramatic reason: usually a release is just waiting on someone, like a signature, a file or an answer from a label.
Florian
we track the deadlines, feedback and delivery for each release, so we usually spot that before it turns into a delay.
Frank
and if a release is out but not picking up, we look together at what else it needs, like more DJ promo, pitching or a push on social.
what happens after release day?
Frank
we keep tracking streams, charts, playlist adds and social media for each release, and report back to you with regular updates.
Florian
and depending on the promo agencies involved, we exchange updates every week, so everyone knows what's working.
Frank
and then we adjust the campaign pacing, or add to the campaign, in consultation with you and your team.
or ask us about possible working together
how do we start?
Frank
with a call, or whatever you prefer. we listen, take it all in, and send you a proposal within a week of the call, usually within one or two days.
Frank
if there's a label to build, we begin with a setup phase for distribution, DSP profiles, the pitching route and a release framework. if it's already running, we agree on a tailor-made weekly plan.
Frank
we keep it honest and straightforward, and you decide how much reporting you want.
what does it cost?
Frank
there's no set price list, because every project is different in scale and in what you need.
Frank
music and artist management depends on the scope, and so does release coordination: do you have a release every two weeks, or do you need help with one or two in the coming months?
Frank
invoicing is usually every two weeks, but we're happy to go with whatever works best for you.
Frank
tell us what you're planning, and you'll get a clear proposal after the first call.
why not hire someone in-house?
Frank
you can, and sometimes you should. when your pipeline is big enough for a full-time role, we'll be the first to tell you.
Frank
until then, a full-time hire is a fixed cost for work that comes in waves. I bring over 15 years in the industry and have worked through the whole release and label chain, so there's no learning curve.
Florian
and with the two of us, there's cover when one of us is away.
what's included in the scope?
Frank
we scope every project separately, so everything is tailor-made to what you need.
Florian
some projects only need the day-to-day label work, like contracts, distribution and deadlines.
Frank
and for others we handle everything, including online marketing, social media and the artwork, made by us or arranged with the right designers.
what is LabelOS?
Frank
it's the label and release management system we built ourselves, and it's where we keep track of everything.
Florian
releases, contracts, deadlines and approvals, it's all in there, with one clear timeline and reminders for every to-do, so nothing gets lost between emails and spreadsheets.
Frank
we also offer it to other label managers as a monthly subscription, but when we work together, you get it free of charge.
