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We handle negotiations, paperwork, and rightsholder relationships so your team can focus on the work.
Every piece of music in a commercial, branded video, or digital campaign requires permission from at least two parties: the publisher controlling the underlying composition, and the label or distributor controlling a specific recording. Rates vary by many factors including the territory and platforms where the content will appear, campaign duration, usage type and licensing history. Each rep and rights holder has their own preferences, timelines, and negotiating styles. One overlooked detail can delay a campaign or expose your brand to significant liability after launch.
That's where we come in. Clearinghouse Sync manages the clearance process from start to finish. We identify the rights holders, initiate outreach, negotiate fees that fit your budget and usage, review proposed terms, issue deal summaries outlining those terms, and coordinate with your legal team to ensure licensing paperwork is sent to you for signature.
Our team brings decades of combined experience and established relationships across a deep network of major labels, independent publishers and artist managers. We move faster and encounter fewer surprises than teams navigating this process on their own.
Before outreach begins, we determine who actually holds the rights: publishers, labels and administrators. Ownership changes over time through acquisitions and catalog deals. Getting this right from the start prevents delays.
We submit a complete, specific request to each rights holder describing the platform, territory, campaign duration and usage of the music.
Rates are not standardized. We help negotiate fees with your budget and usage needs in mind, drawing on market-rate knowledge and established relationships that move things faster, and help you pivot quickly to alternate backup options if needed.
Once proposed terms are outlined and approved, our team sends a deal summary to each rights holder before launch. License agreements from these rights holders are directed to your legal team for signature. These documents define what you can and can't do with the music, and protect you if questions arise later.
Licenses expire. Campaigns evolve. We keep track of what's covered, for how long, across which platforms, so you're never caught off guard.
The risk of starting too late
Starting the clearance process early
protects your options.
Starting the clearance process early protects negotiating leverage and maximizes your creative flexibility. While we're happy to consult at any stage, the sooner we talk, the more options you have.
The sooner we talk, the more options you have. Let's chat.
brad@clearinghousesync.com