What does Sony Music Center do?
Sony Music Entertainment, known simply as Sony Music, is one of the “Big Three” major record labels and a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. Sony Music has a long and storied history dating back to 1929, when it was first founded as American Record Corporation (ARC) in the United States.
Over the decades, through various mergers and acquisitions, the company evolved into CBS Records, Sony Music Entertainment and its current name. Some key events in Sony Music’s history include:
- 1929: American Record Corporation (ARC) founded
- 1938: Columbia Records acquired by ARC and merged with OKeh Records
- 1947: ARC renamed Columbia Records
- 1987: Sony acquired CBS Records and renamed it Sony Music Entertainment
- 2004: Sony merged its music operations with Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) to form Sony BMG
- 2008: Sony acquired Bertelsmann’s 50% stake in Sony BMG to form current-day Sony Music Entertainment
Today, Sony Music encompasses Sony’s global recorded music operations and is home to prestigious labels like Columbia, RCA, and Arista as well as many prominent artists across genres. The company continues to be a major player in the music industry.
Company Overview
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) is one of the “Big Three” record labels, alongside Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. SME is headquartered in New York City and was founded in 1929 as American Record Corporation. In 2004, Sony Corporation of America acquired Bertelsmann’s 50% stake in Sony BMG Music Entertainment to form SME. The CEO is Rob Stringer.
Key facts:
- Headquarters: New York City, USA
- Founded: 1929
- Key Executives: Rob Stringer (CEO), Kevin Kelleher (COO)
Record Labels
Sony Music owns a number of major record labels including Columbia Records, RCA Records, Epic Records, and Arista Records. Some of their key record labels include:
- Columbia Records – One of the “big three” record companies along with RCA and Capitol. Columbia represents major artists like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Lil Nas X, and others (Creator/Sony Music).
- RCA Records – Home to artists like Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Elvis Presley, and more. RCA operates under Sony Music and is known for being the oldest surviving label (Sony Music Corporate Profile).
- Epic Records – Label for major acts like Travis Scott, DJ Khaled, Future, and 21 Savage. Epic is known for its hip hop, pop, and rock roster (About: Sony Music).
In total, Sony Music owns over 60 record labels covering a wide range of musical genres and styles.
Artists
Sony Music has a roster of iconic music superstars across its various record labels like Columbia Records, RCA Records, and Epic Records. Some of Sony’s biggest artists include Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Adele, AC/DC, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, John Mayer, Calvin Harris, P!nk, Zara Larsson, Harry Styles, Future, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat.
Across genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM, country, and more – Sony has dominant artists leading each space. For example in pop music, Sony has global female icons like Beyonce, Adele, P!nk, and Doja Cat. For rock music, Sony represents legends like Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC. In hip-hop and rap, Sony has influential artists like Future, Lil Nas X, and superstar producer Calvin Harris.
Overall, Sony Music’s unmatched roster of superstar talent is a huge asset. By partnering with and investing in the most culturally relevant artists across all genres, Sony Music maintains its standing as an industry leader.
Music Publishing
Sony’s music publishing division is known as Sony Music Publishing. Originally founded in 1995 as Sony/ATV Music Publishing, it is one of the “big three” music publishing companies along with Universal Music Publishing Group and Warner Chappell Music.
Sony Music Publishing is the world’s largest music publisher in terms of revenue. According to Music Business Worldwide, Sony Music Publishing generated $965 million in revenue in 2017 compared to $664 million for Warner Chappell. The company owns or administers over 3 million copyrights including classics by artists like The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen, Motown, and more.
In 2021, Sony/ATV rebranded as Sony Music Publishing to mark its 25th anniversary. The company acquires rights to songs and compositions and collects royalties whenever those works are used commercially. Sony Music Publishing provides an important revenue stream for Sony in addition to its recorded music business.
Film & TV Production
Sony Music is involved in developing and producing film and television projects based on its expansive music catalog and roster of artists. The company has a dedicated division called Sony Music Vision that oversees these efforts.
Some recent examples include producing documentaries on artists like Celine Dion, Carlos Santana, and Luther Vandross (Deadline). Sony Music Vision aims to bring new creative storytelling around its iconic catalog and talent to screens around the world.
The division also develops scripted and unscripted television projects based on Sony Music’s catalog, artists, and history in the music industry. Overall, Sony Music leverages its vast resources and relationships in music entertainment to expand its content production efforts across film and television.
Live Events
Sony Music produces a number of live event shows for its artists. Some examples of marquee live events and tours Sony Music has produced include Ariashi’s five-dome tour in Japan, which sold over 1.1 million tickets in 2020. Sony Music also produced a streamed concert event for One Direction in 2015 that was broadcast globally. In addition, Sony Music has produced major tours and residencies for artists like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Shakira and others. The company has expertise in large-scale global touring productions as well as more intimate club shows and private events.
Partnerships
Sony Music has developed key partnerships, sponsorships, and investments to connect brands with artists and fans. The company’s partnerships division works with brands to create strategic campaigns that leverage Sony Music’s access to artists, events, and entertainment assets (Sony Music Partnerships).
Some major partnerships have included Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Lufthansa, Vodafone, and Mercedes-Benz (Sony Music Partnerships). Sony Music collaborated with Coca-Cola on a global campaign starring Avicii and Conrad Sewell for the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Sony Music Partnerships). The company also partnered with McDonald’s and pop star Mabel on the “Future Stars” campaign in the UK (Sony Music Partnerships).
In addition, Sony Music invested in TikTok’s parent company ByteDance in 2017 to pursue commercial opportunities together (Sony Music Partnerships). Sony Music has since worked with TikTok influencers on campaigns and helps artists engage with fans on the platform.
Financial Performance
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) has seen substantial growth in recent years. According to Sony’s financial reports, SME generated $2.33 billion from recorded music and publishing in 2018, representing a 13% increase over the previous year (owler.com).
In 2019, SME’s music operations posted a nearly 40% gain in operating income to 30.34 billion yen (around $278 million) for the fiscal fourth quarter, driven by growth in streaming revenue and profitability in recorded music and music publishing (billboard.com).
Most recently in 2020, Sony Music’s revenues surpassed $4.5 billion, representing a growth of 11% over the previous year. This was attributed to the company’s strength in streaming and music publishing as well as growth in emerging markets (musicinafrica.net).
Sony Music remains one of the “big three” major record labels, alongside Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, commanding a significant share of the global recorded music market.
Impact on Music Industry
Sony Music has had a tremendous influence on the music industry over the past several decades. As one of the “Big Three” major record labels, along with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, Sony Music has shaped pop culture and defined musical trends through its roster of influential artists.
Sony Music traces its legacy back to 1929 when it was founded as American Record Corporation. Over the years it acquired and merged with other labels like Columbia Records and CBS Records to become the music entertainment giant it is today (1). With this consolidation of labels, Sony Music has amassed an extensive back catalog of legendary artists’ recordings. This has allowed Sony Music to capitalize on nostalgia and continue profiting off influential albums year after year.
In addition to controlling a vast catalog of historic recordings, Sony Music has also been responsible for breaking new ground and launching the careers of chart-topping contemporary artists. For instance, Sony Music had a hand in furthering the popularity of rap music through its Def Jam label, which signed pioneering hip hop acts like Public Enemy and LL Cool J (2). The label has continued to shape modern music by propelling current superstars like Beyonce, Doja Cat, Harry Styles and others into the stratosphere.
Given the legacy of its labels and roster of culture-defining artists, it’s clear Sony Music has played an integral role in the evolution of the music industry. Its hit albums and songs over multiple eras have shown Sony Music’s ability to capitalize on current trends as well as tap into nostalgia. Even as the industry landscape shifts, Sony Music remains a dominant force.
(1) Sony Music Group Launches Impact Fellows Program
(2) Madilyne Nguyen-Acosta – Senior Specialist, Diversity & Inclusion – Sony Music Entertainment