3.0 The Publisher

3.1 Choice of Publisher

As we saw in Chapter II Part I if there is competition between record companies for a particular artist the choice of record company may prove difficult because the quality of the label’s service or “performance” and the extent of its commitment to the artist are rightly seen as crucial factors. In contrast, if there is competition between publishers for a writer, the choice (at least for singer songwriters) is more often determined simply by reference to which publisher offers the most attractive financial terms.

Some singer songwriters are reluctant to sign a publishing deal with a publisher which is affiliated to their record company. Ordinarily, the accounting statements received from the publisher serve as a useful check upon the accountings received from the record company. If the record company and publishing company are related then there is a greater risk of concealment. However, this is more of a risk when signing to smaller companies (and even then, of course, most smaller publishers are reputable). In the case of the major companies the record and publishing arms are run entirely separately from each other.

3.2 Efficiency of Administration

Before concluding any deal the writer should be satisfied that the publisher has efficient collection systems in place. Every publisher will say that its collection arrangements and accounting procedures are impeccable so that the writer should make other enquiries (perhaps of other writers signed to the publisher and certainly of the writer’s professional advisers).

3.3 Professional Management

A songwriter who does not have a separate career as a recording artist and instead relies upon persuading other artists to record his or her songs and/or persuading television and film companies to commission his or her work is bound to attach more significance to the faith he or she has (or otherwise) in the particular personnel upon whom he or she relies to seek out commissions for him or her, to obtain covers and to introduce him or her to appropriate co-writers. As with every aspect of the music business, personal relationships count for a great deal.