Sync Licensing | Sync Licensing Companies

THE CHALLENGE OF CHOOSING A MUSIC SUPERVISOR

Quick recap: You need to look into a song for a campaign… urgently. You’re too busy to DIY. You know song licensing is a minefield. Here’s a bit of guidance on how to choose a Music Supervisor to help you navigate through the challenge:

THE BIG MYTH

There is an enduring myth that Music Supervision is straightforward, so all Music Supervisors are pretty much the same. If that was actually true, there would be no need to do any due diligence, just pick anybody.

IMPLICATIONS

If it didn’t really matter, Agencies wouldn’t need to worry about searching for the most skilled and professional supplier. It would be completely reasonable to just choose the one they already know. Or the most convenient option. Or the cheapest.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES UNDER-PERFORMERS?

But it really is a myth. We know that indirectly from client feedback, and directly from rescue missions where we have been called in to clean up. Supervisors can be inexperienced, mistake-prone, and unable to communicate regularly. Even flaky, loose, unprofessional. But the most critical factor is that they may not be available when they are most needed.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Song licensing is a complex beast that can turn on you in a flash – and you never know which ones will bite you on the bum until it’s too late. Issues can include interminable delays, inadequate usage specs, cost errors, failure to get the song over the line, and paying too much.

WHAT ARE THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF GETTING IT RIGHT?

These are the optimum outcomes: getting the best possible song over the line …for the best possible price …with the minimum risk of hassles or disaster. Alongside expert advice and guidance all the way through.

WHAT ABOUT WORD OF MOUTH?

Sometimes this works, but other times it can be misleading. Someone saying “I know someone who can do that” doesn’t equate to due diligence.

SO WHY DON’T AGENCIES DO MORE DUE DILIGENCE?

Three reasons: The above Myth …and agencies are incredibly busy …and it seems really hard, partly because supervisors all have a similar sales pitch. (Promises on websites and socials aren’t useful. They are easy to write and difficult to fulfill.)

So what is the best approach to due diligence on Music Supervisors?

These three criteria are easy to check … and hard to fake:

1. How long have they been a Supervisor in advertising
– music industry experience doesn’t count)

2. Are they specialists in songs for advertising?
– Film & TV licensing experience doesn’t count

3. Does their Work page display lots of big brand campaigns?
– Check out Music Mill’s Work

4. Does their website have authentic client testimonials?
– Check out Music Mill’s Testimonials

HOW IS MUSIC MILL DIFFERENT?

We have been operating for over 25 years, longer than any other Music Supervision company in the Asia Pacific Region. We have accumulated deep subject matter expertise and built long standing relationships with all the major record labels and publishers. We are the requisite safe pair of hands.

In a nutshell: Music Supervisors aren’t all equal – there are massive differences in experience
and professionalism. If your Client relationship and your Work is important … then why not nurture it by choosing the best possible supplier? Why settle for less?

Email us at info@musicmill.com.au and we promise we’ll get back to you quickly