BPI announces latest free training masterclasses for Sept – Nov 2017

UK record labels association the BPI is pleased to give further details of the free training courses it regularly makes available to its members.

Among the masterclasses announced for September through to November are insights into digital media, apps and streaming marketing provided by Music Ally as well an introductions to music rights and the music industry from CMU.  The BPI is also delighted to announce its first ever PR masterclass as well as a presentation on label services from Absolute Label Services.

The PR masterclass will be presented by Stuart Bell and Richard Dawes, the hugely respected music PRs and co-founders of award-winning communications agency, DawBell.  Stuart and Richard will draw on their extensive experience representing celebrated artists and events, including the BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize, to offer advice on effective media communications and strategic planning for music campaigns.   

Stuart Bell, Joint MD DawBell, said: “Richard and I are delighted that the BPI is including PR in its masterclass series and that DawBell has been invited to give the first one.  The media landscape is, as we know, in a constant state of flux, and understanding the sometimes complex opportunities and the risks this presents is arguably more important than ever for companies looking to break emerging artists, publicise new releases, manage reputation and engage fan-bases across key channels.”

The Absolute Label Services event has been set up to offer both new and established labels information on how to protect their copyrights and to highlight the various avenues available to bring them to market.  Advice is also given on distribution (physical and digital), marketing, promotion, copyright protection, synchronisation, neighbouring rights, manufacturing, D2C activity and all other aspects required to get to market.  Absolute will be represented by its marketing and digital teams.

Henry Semmence, MD Absolute Label Services, said: “The different mix of label services now available to bring great new music to market have never been more varied or flexible.  Whatever your requirements, a bespoke solution is out there for you, but you need to know where to look. That’s why we’re so pleased to be able to offer these insights in association with the BPI.”  

Chris Tams, BPI Director of Membership and International, said: “The BPI’s free masterclasses are proving very popular, and we are putting more on all the time.  Quite a few members had asked about media and communications training, so I’m naturally pleased that we can announce this new PR masterclass with DawBell on board to present the first one.”

More about Training Masterclasses:

15 Sep                  

Dawbell PR Masterclass - The growing importance of strategic PR in music

As the media landscape continues to evolve, we will talk about where PR services fit in with this shift, what is strategic PR and what should you expect from a PR agency. We will also cover strategic planning for music campaigns as well as best practices and key considerations for working with the media for the best possible results. In an era with so much noise out there we'll look at why PR is now more important than ever and how social media/online PR must be part of the overall PR strategy alongside traditional media.

21 Sep

CMU Insights: Introduction to the Music Industry

This session - led by CMU MD and Business Editor Chris Cooke - provides a concise overview of the different ways artists generate revenue around their music and the business partners they work with to unlock these income streams. It then looks in particular at the label’s role, how record deals work, and the various services record companies provide to artists. It is a great induction course for anyone new to the record industry, while also providing more experienced label execs with an overview of the wider music business.

Topics covered include:

• Music rights.
• Live music.
• The fan relationship.
• The role different music companies play.
• How record deals work.
• The different strands of a record company.

26 Sep

Streaming Marketing & Advanced Advertising

Focus is on Spotify, and the in-platform and out-of-platform techniques to drive streams, working directly with Spotify and otherwise. We’ll tell you the playlists that matter most and how to get on them, and also identify and cover the most important in-platform conversions that will help you grow and secure your market share. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

Advanced Advertising: The focus is on finding your audience and retargeting them the best possible ways again and again. Combine this highly-effective marketing with some of the creative concepts we’ll cover—catering toward the fans that are most likely to share and spread artist content—and you should see cost efficiency for campaigns go through the roof. Training is hosted by Music Ally.

29 Sep                  

CMU Insights: Music Rights Inside & Out

This more advanced session on music rights led by CMU MD & Business Editor Chris Cooke - expands on the copyright elements of the Introduction to the Music Industry. It looks in more detail at how music rights make money and how music licensing works. It is ideal for anyone working in legal or licensing, and any label exec who wants a fuller understanding of how music rights work.

Topics covered include:

• The different music rights.
• The controls that come with the copyright.
• How music licensing works.
• The collective licensing system - including PPL, MCPS and PRS.
• Performer ER on broadcast and public performance income.
• What the law says about copyright infringement.

03 Oct

Alliance for IP: Search Engine Optimisation Seminar

Learn how to maximise your presence online with expert advice and demonstrations. Targeted at those working in brand management, digital marketing and content protection. Kindly sponsored by Google.

18 Oct

Campaign Surgery & Streaming marketing

We look at selected campaigns from start to finish. Everything from developing the creative aspects of the campaigns to audience targeting strategies. From low and mid budget up to high budget campaigns, we don’t just focus on what was perfect about campaigns; we also point out tactical errors to help you think of what could have done better and gone further. Covers new releases, reactivating back catalogue, and launching a new artist. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

Streaming Marketing: Focus is on Spotify, and the in-platform and out-of-platform techniques to drive streams, working directly with Spotify and otherwise. We’ll tell you the playlists that matter most and how to get on them, and also identify and cover the most important in-platform conversions that will help you grow and secure your market share. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

19 Oct

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Video beyond YouTube

Social media rapidly have become our central method of communicating with our fans, yet with so many constantly-changing platforms it’s often unclear how best to be present online. Get the best techniques for optimising your profiles and posts, and creating a fan ecosystem with your social media and campaigns. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

Video beyond YouTube digs into the concept of going where your audience spends their time. As the rising digital generation uses platforms like Twitch to replace TV, and as YouTube pay-outs continue to drop off, it’s increasingly crucial have a compelling presence on a wide variety of platforms in order to capture maximum revenues and most-effectively reach your highest-value fans. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

24 Oct

Messaging Apps & Direct to Consumer

To effectively talk to your fans, you need to be speaking their digital language. Beyond WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, apps from Hong Kong to Stockholm to Silicon Valley are offering fans specialised avenues of communications. Discover the unique ways in which the best apps from the east and west are being used, how you can adopt various creative strategies using these apps, and how apps are likely to evolve in the future. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

Direct to Consumer: As streaming revenues grow and unit sales decline across the industry, the business model for musicians is shifting. Learn how to identify the members of your fanbase willing to spend more than 9.99/month, and how to create high value content for your superfans without racking up costs. Develop your d2c offering with the best strategies in email, mobile, and other direct marketing platforms. This training is hosted by Music Ally.

02 Nov

Label Services: Getting your copyrights to market – in association with Absolute Label Services

Absolute Labels Services offers a full range of services and advice on how to bring your copyrights to market. Formed 20 years ago, they are one of the leading labels services companies in the UK and an experienced staff of 20+ who are experts in all areas of the business across all genres.

The course will cover advice on the following areas:

Digital Distribution / Physical Distribution & Sales / Marketing Services / Manufacturing /

International / Real-Time Analytics / Digital Retail Marketing / Direct to Consumer / Reporting & Budgeting / Digital Health checks / Neighbouring Rights Collection / Synchronisation

This course would be ideal for new and even established labels to find out what is required to release your copyrights and monetise them both here in the UK and internationally.