What Questions Should be Asked in a 360° Artist Deal Due Diligence?

Entering into a 360° artist arrangement is a big decision, because you are entrusting one company with the responsibility of managing all aspects of your career, including music sales, touring, merchandising, and even TV and film appearances. As a result, you should make sure the company is good at all of the things they will need to do to make your career a success. Below is a “due diligence list” of questions to ask in considering the deal you are being offered. (MasurLaw)

Terry McBride: “ A True 360 Deal Should Include Stock Options”

In order to align the musicians' interests with those of their record label or management company, they should get stock options, much like the company executives get. That way, it would be a true partnership in building the artists' brands for the long run, according to Terry McBride, CEO Nettwerk Management. (Digital Media Wire)

Trent Reznor 'disheartened' by state of music industry

As producer of rapper Saul Williams' new album 'The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust', Reznor decided to employ a similar business model to that of Radiohead, which gave listeners the option of paying nothing for a download of the album, or $5 for higher-quality MP3s. In a posting yesterday (January 3) on Nine Inch Nails' website, Reznor revealed the sales figures, saying, "Perhaps by revealing of all our data -- our 'dirty laundry' -- we can contribute to a better solution." (NME)