TAXI.com

This one's for the more established people:I'm being contracted by an "image consultation" company to help another company create their musical image. In this first phase, I will be creating a "musical logo" and a sort of theme song (like the song that is on all of the Apple commercials) for use in advertising. My question comes here: I basically hold all the cards on this one. They are not coming to me with an offer; they've said they like my music and are asking me what it's going to cost. I can come up with a number based on what I feel it will "cost" me to do the work but I don't want to undersell myself or the industry. So....what is this sort of thing worth? Keep in mind that this work is a part of a major image-makeover.... Thanks for your input and may you have much success!

Congrats!!!!! and WELCOME. Hopefully someone on here can help you or guide you in the right direction. I think that there are several qualified members on here that probably can. Not sure if they'd mention numbers out right or if they'd prefer to PM you.Last time I made a request that maybe everyone wouldn't want to have their reponse seen, I got an email and a PM. I didn't know to look for that at first. So, keep an eye on the top right of the screen where it says that you're logged in. It will say if you have a message. GOOD LUCK!!!!!! and would love to hear some of your music if you get around to posting any.

Oh, ok thanks for the heads-up! If you go to www.ao1productions.net and click on the "Jeremiah Horner" tab, you can listen to a smattering of stuff that I have done.

If this is as big as you say, then you need to think about a couple of things, IMO: 1. Will they be using this for many years to come? If so, what is the back end potential, if any? (meaning ASCAP/BMI, etc.)2. If there's little back end potential, then you need to get a nice big check for your efforts because they're basically using your music as their image until they decide to change it (think Intel audio logo!!).Either way, this is a very lucrative deal, IMO, the type of which I haven't yet had the chance to work on but I've studied this type of thing in preparation for the day. I would say this is a mid to high 5 figure quote (not advice, just my gut feeling). Don't think of it as just your time for producing it, think of the long term value to the client.In the film world, sometimes composers will contract with an agent to negotiate for them on a project by project basis. This might be worth considering if you're squeamish about negotiating on your own. A percentage of the deal might be worth it if they can get you more than you would be able to yourself.Your stuff sounds very good, BTW!Good luck!Mazz

Good grief....thanks for your reply. There is not really any potential for royalties. Also, I found out yesterday that they are not allowed (because of the type of business) to advertise in a "broadcast" sense, their efforts (at least in this campaign) are concentrated to about 250000 people via the internet or related media. Obviously this would be significantly less valuable than, say, a national ad campaign but would somewhere around the $5000 mark be fair? My first reaction is somewhere in the $500 to $1000 range but again I want to be competitive without underselling. Thanks!

I can't say what exact figure you should quote but 500 to 1000 sounds low to me. Others that have done ad work may be more able to give specifics but custom music created specifically for their needs shouldn't be priced the same as off-the-shelf library music. Particularly since there's no back end, they should expect to pay a bit more. I'd shoot for your high figure and see what happens.Just my opinion, of course!Mazz

You need to talk to a lawyer or agent, someone who has done these types of deals and knows the market. You're asking a market-based question, so really only someone that has been around these types of deals would know the range. If all else fails, you can always ask the customer what their budget is for this project. Typically in negotiating a price for something as difficult to value as this, the one who throws out the first number loses.Talking to someone who's done this type of thing is well worth a fee, especially because you'll be setting a precedent for the next job you do for them.Congratulations, man!Jonathan

Apr 17, 2008, 7:25pm, jmeraz wrote:You need to talk to a lawyer or agent, someone who has done these types of deals and knows the market. You're asking a market-based question, so really only someone that has been around these types of deals would know the range. If all else fails, you can always ask the customer what their budget is for this project. Typically in negotiating a price for something as difficult to value as this, the one who throws out the first number loses.Talking to someone who's done this type of thing is well worth a fee, especially because you'll be setting a precedent for the next job you do for them.Congratulations, man!JonathanVery good advice!

Awesome thank you for your help

Apr 17, 2008, 8:31pm, mazz wrote:Apr 17, 2008, 7:25pm, jmeraz wrote:You need to talk to a lawyer or agent, someone who has done these types of deals and knows the market. You're asking a market-based question, so really only someone that has been around these types of deals would know the range. If all else fails, you can always ask the customer what their budget is for this project. Typically in negotiating a price for something as difficult to value as this, the one who throws out the first number loses.Talking to someone who's done this type of thing is well worth a fee, especially because you'll be setting a precedent for the next job you do for them.Congratulations, man!JonathanVery good advice!These guys are right Jeremiah - I think it's worth finding a good lawyer. BTW - nice to see your name out here! I saw it out of the corner of my eye and thought, what a minute... I know him! cb