Artist Visibility

Glossary

DDEX
Digital Data Exchange — the global standard for how music metadata is structured and shared between labels, distributors, and DSPs.
ERN
Electronic Release Notification — the DDEX message for delivering releases to DSPs. Four sections: PartyList, ResourceList, DealList, ReleaseList. DSPs reject incomplete ERNs.
DSN
Delivery Start Notice — RCA's internal filing that initiates distribution. Unlike ERN, DSN accepts incomplete data. This is where the gap starts.
GRPS
Global Release Planning System — Sony's system-of-record for release planning and ISRC assignment.
Runway
RCA's real-time release schedule. Tracks 18 fields per release — 7 are chronically "Unknown."
SAA
Single Asset Authorization — required before distribution. Needs both labels' Legal sign-off.
SAMP
Sample Clearance — confirms sampled material is legally cleared. Tracked in email, not any shared system.
CARMA
Sony's Global Contract Management System — artist contracts, deal terms, territory rights.

Data Sources

Every data point already exists somewhere at RCA. This system connects what's already there.

Data TypeSourceSystem
Release schedule, dates, UPCRelease planningGRPS + Runway
Contracts, terms, territoryBusiness & LegalCARMA
ISRC, delivery, track dataProductionGRPS
DSP pitches, streamingCommercial PartnershipsPitch docs + Runway
Budget, spendFinanceSAP + spreadsheets
External contactsTeamsCARMA
Clearance, samplesA&R + LegalSample clearance report, side artist chart
Rights, publishersBusiness & LegalCARMA

7 Chronically Unknown Fields

These show "Unknown" in Runway because the data lives in departments that don't update Runway.

FieldOwned ByRoot Cause
SAABLA (both labels)No shared cross-label workflow
SAMPA&R + BLATracked in email, not Runway
Atmos Decision VERIFYA&R / Prod.Made verbally, pre-Runway
Cover / VSC VERIFYA&R + LegalWho initiates is undefined
A&R PaperworkA&R AdminCompletion doesn't flow back
Artwork VERIFYCreative / MgmtDSN accepts "TBD"
Credits/Splits VERIFYA&R + Legal + MgmtMulti-party, outside all systems