Go Compare Advert Helps Net £10m For UK Songwriters
The organisation represents 95,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, tracking music used online, in broadcast, in businesses and performed live so creators can make a living from music royalties.
Advertising revenue is a vital source of income for many songwriters and composers. In 2012 radio advertising accounted for £1.9m in broadcast royalties with television commercials netting £8m for PRS for Music members. Of all music played on UK commercial television stations, approximately one minute of every ten is used solely in adverts.
Dan Neale, Head of Music at advertising agency, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R explains, “Music’s role in TV adverts has always been significant, and under-rated, but it’s never been more beneficial for songwriters to land that deal. The exposure and reach they can gain by getting a song in a commercial is a huge benefit to the artist, as it allows them to cut through the many thousands of acts that the modern audience has access to. The licence fee and royalties that are generated by the campaign can change a songwriter’s career.”
The infamous ‘Go Compare’ advert was played most throughout 2012, followed swiftly by its competitor ‘Confused.com’ using the Village People’s iconic Y.M.C.A. song – which was a UK Number 1 chart hit when first released in 1978.
Mercury Prize winner, Speech Debelle co-wrote the music used in the Sky commercial, the fourth most performed ad in 2012. Spinnin’ was written by Speech Debelle (aka Corynne Elliot) along with luminary songwriting team, Pat Marks, Dwayne Richards and Michael Lindsay. Lindsay, who pioneered the massive folktronica scene with his band Tunng is an accomplished composer for television and film, working on the ITV re-brand and soundtracking commercials for O2, T-mobile, Littlewoods, Samsung and Honda.
Speech Debelle commented, “Writing with Mike was a great experience. I love working with people that are from a different musical genre to me so we can bend and wave the sound we’re creating. I’m going to Iceland this spring to work with Mike again. It couldn’t happen without a supportive and active sync[1] team; Dean, Adrian, Claire and everyone at Ninja\Big Dada\JIM have been excellent. Sync is an essential source of income for me so I can keep writing and producing music that makes people listen, and PRS for Music helps make that happen.”
Source: Y&R
