Course #/Title:	MBU 3630.21/ RECORD COMPANY OPERATIONS
Course Credit Hours:	3 Hours
Semester:	SUMMER 2009
Instructor:	Dr. David Herrera MBA/ Ph.D.
Instructor Contacts:	(615) 460-6908 herrerad@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	Office:  34 music Sq. East 47 Hours TBA in class and by appointment
Class Location:	Massey 103
Meeting Times:	Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-1:15pm
Final Exam:	Aug. 11, 2009.

Course Description:  MBU 3630.  Record Company Operations (3). Prerequisites:  MBU 3450, MBU 3520.  This course organizes the areas of operations of a record company.  Emphasis is placed on areas such as A&R, creative services, promotion, royalty distribution, in-house production, marketing, publicity and other areas in relationship to the independent vs. major label.  Gen. Ed. Designation:  EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica). (http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2008jun/cemb/courses.html)

Course Outcomes:  At the end of this course, the student will be able to analyze and apply the operational elements needed to forecast, budget, develop, market and distribute recorded product within traditional and emerging new models.    

Performance Tasks:  At the end of this course, the student will be able to:  

1. Identify and define the structure, organization, and needed operations of both traditional and evolving digital models with reference to input-output operational process.

2. Analyze the basic principles of agreements needed for licensing recorded product within traditional and online applications.

3. Analyze and design a marketing analysis within a SWOT matrix, as part of an artist development and marketing plan.

4. Calculate the typical accounting and business applications needed in the administrative and

accounting procedures of a record company, including retail discounting, markup, artist royalties, production budgets, artist status, and breakeven analysis for both company, as well as artist.

5. Discuss and compare current issues relating to the traditional marketing and distribution model against the evolving digital and environmental/consumer changes relating to online marketing within independent and major label groups.

6. Discuss and apply the business principles of project management for team projects.

7. Discuss and recognize the dynamics of organizational learning within the scope of interdepartmental politics and perception.

8. Work directly with local artists and community partners through engagement of learning activities, as well as developing exposure of local artists through the synergistic application of course content. 

9. Understand the terminology, formatting, and basic applications needed for the independent “do it yourself” content generation needed for video editing, photography, graphic design, and manufacturing of creative content for indie labels or artists.

Assessment Tools:  During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

1. Short quizzes consisting of short answer, diagramming, multiple choice and excel calculations.

2. The preparation and submission of representative documents, licenses, marketing plans, and agreements.

3. Class presentation of class assignments and projects.

4. Observation, completion, and collection of assigned applied projects including video clips, photos, creative layouts, licensing, sound manipulation, Web site execution, and/or any elements needed to complete assigned projects.

Quizzes:  (10%):  There will be several quizzes and one final exam given during the course of the semester.  Quizzes will take place in class or online with material taken from a variety of sources, including assigned readings, discussions, assigned and all other materials presented in class.  Quizzes may not be “made up” if absent, unless it is excused through an official university function.  Quiz dates may change and will be usually announced one day in advance. Quizzes will consist of a variety of question types, including multiple choice, true/false, short answer, matching, or essay questions at the discretion of the instructor.  Quiz grades are final and are graded on a traditional scale of 0 to 100%.  All quizzes are weighted for a total of 10% of the student’s overall class grade.  

Assignments (25%):  All assignments are due on the assigned dates developed in class and listed on Blackboard.  Assignments are due at the start of the class period unless alternative arrangements are made with the instructor.  Assignments are expected to be typed, streamed, or burned as required and requested by instructor. It is your responsibility to print, staple and turn in your assignment (stapler in computer lab 3^rd floor).  NO EMAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

All assignments will be returned to the students with comments and grade or will be corrected in class to be turned in for credit.  At the instructor’s discretion—assignments may be rejected for a “redo” which means assignment must be resubmitted for evaluation. Late assignments will not be accepted after three days—REDO assignments are due one week after return.  Students are expected to keep up with all assignment due dates and not being present at the time of a class assignment is not considered an excuse for late completion.  No assignments will be accepted after the final course grade has been turned into the registrar unless previous arrangements are made with the instructor.

All of the individual and group projects given out in class are important.  Points will be deducted for late papers, papers with missing segments and handwritten papers.  These same guidelines apply for both individual and group assignments.  Papers are expected to be typed and in a format that represents your best work.  Assignments are selected from the following:

1. The preparation of an artist deal memo or agreement based on traditional record contract obligations.

2. The preparation of a revenue and forecast model (breakeven analysis) applicable to various scenarios.

3. The creation and calculation of a complete major studio production timeline & budget.

4. The design of an artist tour strategy plan that incorporates publicity activities, events, and distribution outlets including rough budget estimation and timelines.

5. Miscellaneous operations exercises and calculations, including Licensing (5%) and Royalties.

Artist Content/Updating/Blogging/web marketing (10%) – Students will either comment on, or create commentary on Indiebandhub.com, or update, market, and maintain selected or assigned artist content on Indiebandhub.com. Students are expected maintain content subject to syllabus timeline or class developed timeline.

Group Projects (30%):  (TBA) You will be assigned departmental projects with several Indiebandhub or newly signed artists for Indiebandhub.com. Assignments are based on small teams, and teams will  be responsible for developing, reporting, and executing content based on project needs. Deliverables on the project are flexible according to your artist needs, however, each team will be expected to coordinate and execute from among the following: 1) professional quality photo shoot(s), 2) promotional video clips/interview shorts, 3) Tour poster layout and print copies (50), and 4) a deliverable CD with web content including a) edited/cropped photos, b) MP3 files (3-6 songs plus 30 sec. samples), C) a Bio (word, PDF & text format), 5) creative design of D layout for manufacturing, 6) creative design and execution of short run CDR’s, 7) placement of product into local retail, 8) local promotions/advertising of local artists, 9) maintenance and marketing of Indiebandhub.com, design of press release and database development,  and 10) collect/solicit licensing needed for projects.

If artist is at the appropriate stage, student team will be expected to plan and execute any elements that are needed to complete the project due (Example may be to coordinate studio recording or mixing or design layouts for CD replication).  If project is retail-ready, student team will be expected to coordinate and execute a radio promotional mailing to several markets as well as send and call appropriate Music Directors and Program directors as needed. Students will be working in one of many teams during the course of this project, and will turn in a summary paper or report regarding the execution of all projects. More details will be delivered and developed during class as this is based on artist needs

Lab Time/Lab Assignments (10%): Students will be expected to spend appropriate times needed in lab (34 music sq. east) or at their own resources as needed for completion of projects. Separate lab assignment will also be given for individual students in order to access lecture on In Design/Photoshop training, Photo Sessions, and Video Editing. Lab time can be on or off campus but must be documented. Lab time can also be used for developing artwork, artist packages, replication of CD’s, PDF’s, phone calls/fax, or submitting artists electronically, video editing, and web maintenance. The lab will also serve as a team office for team meetings which are to be scheduled as needed. Class time will be deducted or modified/cancelled from normally scheduled class time as needed for team meetings as well. Team must document attendance in a log book to be provided in the team room or TBA web log. Lab location is 34 music square east—second floor Rm. 222.  

Group/Departmental Report and Final Presentation (10%):  Each department will give regular in class reports on status/progress and needs, as well as a final in-class presentation that summarizes all departments strategy and process, as well as overviewing the completed aspects of their semester projects. A small part of this will entail how these efforts do or do not fit into a new digital model for monetization of the project. More details will be given in class. Final presentations will take place the final week of class and will have Industry representative as audience. 

Peer Evaluation/Class Participation (5%):  While class presentation is not an “assignment,” it is a very important element of your grade in that it accounts for 5% of the student’s overall grade.  It is recommended that each student come prepared to discuss the various class topics for the day.  At the instructor’s discretion, there may be a confidential team evaluation given upon final project completion.  The combined average team contribution score (0 – 100%) may be applied to the individual part of your team grade as well as the peer evaluation/participation percentage (5%).  If used, the Peer Evaluation will rate participation, meeting team deadlines, overall cooperation, work quality and amount of contribution.  These assessments will reflect 5% of each student’s overall grade.    

Instructor reserves the right to make changes or add/delete assignments in the syllabus as needed.

Grading:

Peer Evaluation/Class Participation              5%

Quizzes/Testing (5% each)                              10%

Assignments                                                        25%

Artist Content-Web/Blogging                         10%

Group Presentation                                          10%

Group Project Execution/Summary               30%

Lab Time-Meetings                                           10%

Final Grade                                                   100%

COURSE & CLASSROOM POLICIES:

Attendance & Participation: 

Class participation is expected, including outside classroom activities; attendance and absence will be noted.  If you miss more than 4 classes, you will be involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of “WF.”  Absences are considered excused if the instructor is given prior notice for reasons such as family emergencies, illness or other legitimate causes.  Additional accepted excuses are official university sanctioned events with an excuse from the Provost’s Office.  Attendance will be taken each class period through the use of a class signup sheet.

Attendance is critical during the duration of this course, due to the nature of the class assignments incorporated throughout the semester.  Each student is expected to attend all of the class meetings for the best possible learning experience.  Every lecture will cover material necessary to a thorough understanding of the concepts.   

Materials: Materials:  Indie Marketing Power (Peter Spellman, Music Business Solutions) (Required)

The instructor will assign additional readings as necessary.  Online downloads and PDF’s are expected to be brought to class on laptop or hardcopy.  All additional readings and handouts will be posted on Blackboard as directed by instructor.  If PDFs are assigned, students are expected to bring a copy to class.

Grade Evaluation:  As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is: 

Grade	Percent (GPA)	Grade	Percent (GPA)	Final grades below 70% will not apply to the major.
A	94 (4.0)	C	74 (2.0)
A-	90 (3.7)	C-	70 (1.7)
B+	87 (3.3)	D+	67
B	84 (3.0)	D	64
B-	80 (2.7)	D-	60
C+	77 (2.3)	F	<60

Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code. “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Class Schedule: (Subject to change at instructor’s discretion)