Universal Music Denmark is sponsoring a program in which university students will take responsibility for releasing and promoting an album. Four students from the management curriculum at Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory have been chosen to handle the May 17 debut release by Universal electro pop-rock group Lake Placid.
“We’re like an indie within a major,” says Nanna Clausen, one of the students. “Universal has given us a budget, office space and access to its network. We will focus on the Lake Placid project until the end of summer and then hand it over to Universal.”
The project was organized by Universal, the Danish branch of the IFPI and the university.
The three-year music-management curriculum was introduced in 2002. By the time the current crop of students graduate, the program is expected to offer a bachelor’s degree. Students take courses in law, strategy, aesthetics and project management.
Gareth Carter, international promotions manager at Universal Denmark, says the label is excited about “the opportunity for fresh-thinking, young, aspiring music executives to get involved in all aspects of finding talent, developing it and releasing a record.”
