Executives say their jobs are more difficult than ever because of a bottom-line consciousness at conglomerates that encourages labels to sign acts that can deliver immediate sales.

Things are so bad that some executives hold their breath every time they release an album — even one by a proven bestseller. Artists' careers have long risen and fallen with each new release, but it has never been more foolish to use ink when writing executive names and titles in your Rolodex.

The cost of signing and promoting artists is so high labels can no longer afford the luxury of spending years nurturing acts who need three or four albums to develop their craft and to build their audience — the way Columbia did in the '70s with Bruce Springsteen and Island did in the '80s with U2.

Now, it's often one album and out the door unless you have a hit, because it can cost a major label $2 million to $5 million every time it releases a new album. When labels have 40 to 60 acts on the roster, that tab escalates rapidly.


That doesn't explain why Mercury has a bunch of no sellers in their roster.


-Chris

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