1. Research of Companies -
(Record labels)
Universal Music Group is the largest
music corporation in the world.
Universal Music was once the music
company attached to film studio
Universal Pictures. Its origins go back
to the formation of the American branch
of Decca Records in 1934. Universal
music group distribution has been the
industry market leader for the past 10
years which is overwhelming! The company is divided into 4 sections called
Universal music distribution, Fontana, Vivendi Entertainment and UMGD digital.
Universal is an American-based, French-owned multinational music corporation, it
currently operates as a subsidiary of Paris-based media conglomerate Vivendi. UMG
also owns Universal Music Publishing Group, which is the second largest music
publishing company in the world. Universal Music Group's global corporate
headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California. Universal have been linked with
some of the world’s best artists such as Jack Johnson, The Killers, Miley Cyrus,
Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Lionel Richie and Eminem.
Sony music entertainment is part of the ‘big four’
and is the second largest music record label. The
company which evolved into sony music was
founded in 1929 as the American Record
Corporation through the merger of serveral smaller
record compaines. Sony music also owns many
record labels such as Columbia records for example.
Amazingly, Japan is the only countyry where sony
does not have right to the Columbia name as it is
controlled by Nippon Columbia. In August 2004,
Sony entererd into a 50-50 joint venture with
Bertelsmann by merging Sony music and
Bertelsmann music group to form Sony BMG music
entertainment. Sony have been involed with some of the worlds biggest aritsts such
as, Micheal Jackson, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.
Warner music group is the worlds only
publicy traded major music company and
comprises an array of businesses aimed at
helping aritsts achieve long term creative and
fininacal success while providing consumers
with the highest quality music content
avaliable. Warner music group is owned by
Chairman and CEO of the company Edgar
Brontam Jr alongside head of management and executive for the most asepcts of the
company Mark Ansorge. Warner music group was reported being the highest US

2. market share growth of all major music companies in total albums sold between 2004-
2008.