I just heard a Crestor commercial where they used some music from War - Lowrider, no vocals, just some music.
Am curious if anyone knows how much it costs these companies to use someone's music ?
Not necessarily talking about a huge big artist, like The Who in GM commercials, but average or lesser known artists.
These companies have obviously determined classic rock is good for advertising.
Use of songs in commercials is negotiated between the agency and the copyright owner.
While there is a set rate for the broadcast portion, the initial use of the song is basically "What's it worth to you." I have a friend that used to administer a publishing company owned by writer Marijohn Wilkin. She owns all of the early Kristofferson and tunes by her son Bucky. My friend negotiated a deal between Bucky and Volkswagen for use of his song "Little GTO". Volkswagen wanted to alter the lyrics to "Little GTi". Will and VW agreed on a 6 figure deal for use and alteration, plus standard rates for broadcast and re-airing. He turned down a large 6 figure deal on "Sunday Morning Coming Down" for an aspirin spot because they didn't think it presented the right image and it didn't seem to fit well. Occasionally, a writer will actually sell a song to a company for a flat fee. In the last century, songwriters Bob DiPiero and Pat McManus sold their song "(My babys) American Made" (Originally recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys) to Miller Brewing for a flat one million dollars.
It's slightly more complicated than that.
It's negotiated between the user and the copyright owner and sound recording if the user wants to use a song written by A and sung by B.
There are commercial music libraries that have already cleared the rights and have songs available for use immediately. Users are more likely to deal w/a library than the individual songwriter/recording.
As to how much it costs - unless the user really, really wants to have a specific song by a specific artist, the fees are not high. $5,000-$8,000. As far as the advertiser is concerned, one song may be just as good as another to make the point.
It can be even more complicated if a specific artist and song are wanted and those artist have not allowed their material to be used.
The trend of classic rock songs being used is because we are now the od people with money. So Cadillac feels the need to have Led Zeppelin who have shunned this marketing previously. But a nice big cheque can make anyone say yes in the end.
I think it is all a waste of money as I don't believe anyone buys anything based on what song is playing an a commercial.
I met someone at a party whose job it is to get rights for songs to be used in movies, etc.
He told me of an instance where a famous artist really liked and believed in a certain movie (it was probably an indie production) and let them have his song for a buck. The same artist would typically add a lot more zeros to the price of a song - like someone said - it can depend how badly the producer wants it
I think it is all a waste of money as I don't believe anyone buys anything based on what song is playing an a commercial.
It's not so much that someone might buy the product based on the song, and more that people will associate the song with the product. If it works right, every time someone hears a certain song, they might think about that product. The more you think about the product, the higher chances you'll buy it.
That's why some jingles that are remembered as being ridiculously terrible (think the old free credit report dot com songs) were actually great for the advertiser -- so long as they're catchy tunes.
I want my babyback babyback babyback ribs.
I think it is all a waste of money as I don't believe anyone buys anything based on what song is playing an a commercial.
It's not so much that someone might buy the product based on the song, and more that people will associate the song with the product. If it works right, every time someone hears a certain song, they might think about that product. The more you think about the product, the higher chances you'll buy it.
That's why some jingles that are remembered as being ridiculously terrible (think the old free credit report dot com songs) were actually great for the advertiser -- so long as they're catchy tunes.
I want my babyback babyback babyback ribs.
I get your point completely. See those stupid jingles can be just as effective. The other problem with connecting a song and a product is having a negative reaction. I can't stand Like A Rock because of those damn commercials.
I want my babyback babyback babyback ribs.
Co - Stanza
