"Missing Link is real effective on giving me the real deal about the music business. They're very encouraging with my career and my goals. They give every situation a bright side. Thanks Missing Link!" Kelvin Wooten, Producer/Songwriter for Kelis, Raphael Saadiq, Angie Stone, Tony Toni Tone!, Bee Gees, Babyface
Worldwide Multi-Media Licensing
So what do we mean when we say “multi-media” licensing.
While we issue and negotiate MECHANICAL, DIGITAL (Downloads
for example) and SYNCHRONIZATION licenses, we also issue and
negotiate MULTI-MEDIA licenses on your behalf for anything
that might fall outside the above categories.
That can mean a Karaoke License whereby your song is reproduced
for "sing-a-long" purposes, and displays your lyrics
along with a background of visual images. There are nuances
to this kind of usage that can work in your favor depending
on how the license is negotiated on your behalf. That’s
why our own songwriter-favored karaoke license will work to
your advantage.
So what about Ringtones? Ringtones represent a shortened
digital version of your song (usually the hook or main melody)
converted to a WAV, MIDI or MP3 format in either monophonic
or polyphonic form (single melody vs. lots of counter-melodies).
A fan of your tune downloads it and stores in on their cell
phone, pager or other playback device so that whenever the
phone rings, your song is heard. Yes, we have songwriter-favored
licenses for this too and have worked with many companies
in this arena. For more information on this, please visit
our "Newsletter" section for the latest updates
on this wildly popular format.
And on it goes. Games, Toys, Buzzphones, Advertising, etc.
Whatever comes up, we’re prepared to meet any license
challenges that come our way—so that YOU the songwriter
can maximize your income and stay empowered throughout the
process.
Advances - “A Cadillac for Your Rights”
It is widely known that some publishing deals can be damaging
to the career of songwriters by giving up the rights in their
songs. However it is not just publishing companies that can
take advantage of your rights.
Taking an Advance
In the long term, this benefits the publisher/administrator
but could damage the songwriter’s career. Why? Although
the songwriter takes the 'up front' money, they are now burdened
with a possible long term recoupment (i.e. repayment of debt
that could bind the songwriter for many years).
Many companies may seek to induce you into accepting an
advance. The main reason for this is to tie the songwriter
to the company for as long as possible. Simply put, if they
advance you $30,000 then you will have to stay with them for
as long as that advance needs to be recouped.
This may be ok for some, but also bear in mind that most
companies that offer advances also factor in "reasonable"
expenses which could mean everything from the new fax machine
to the Madison Avenue office. So many companies will have
a very inviting initial term but when you read the small print
they unfortunately “own your soul” until you can
pay them back.
Now let's assume that the 'reasonable' expense calculate to
roughly 5% of what they are collecting. You might as well
add that onto the original commission that they are charging
you. So a 10% fee becomes 15% or even 20%.
If an administration company is doing a good job then they
will collect royalties efficiently and won't need those sort
of extra fees. Either way, we are flexible in that we can
do out-of-cycle payments (meaning outside the normal pay period)
if so needed - without any such extra expenses attached.
Commission Bumps
Low commission fees may not always be a bargain, especially
if they only apply to the licensing areas of lowest revenue.
For example, what the songwriter gains in low commissions
on royalties may be lost to an inflated commission rate for
synchronization royalties. Unless the publisher/administrator
actually gets a songwriter's music placed in a film or on
TV, there is no justification for the songwriterr to have
to pay a higher commission.
The value becomes clear in the example below:
A 50% share of a platinum-selling song is $42,500 if paid
at the full rate A 50% share of 4 movie deals at the going
rate ($25,000 per song usuage) is $50,000 So the 10% commission
on mechanicals for the platinum selling song is $4250. However
the 20% commission for the synchronization deal is $10,000.
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