Recommendation Report for Music Distribution

Assignment Details

Assignment Recommendation Report 

Length: 3-4 pages, single-spaced, size 12 font (Arial, Calibri, or equivalent) 

Weight: 15% 

In today’s information rich workplace, we are often called on to assess information quickly and make a decision or recommendation. In this assignment, you will write a recommendation report based on your professional opinion and recommend appropriate actions or interventions in response to the specific problem (p. 413). 

Based on some of the information (e.g. upcoming album) gleaned during your recent trip (i.e., your trip report scenario), you are asked to support your label by assessing ways to get your artist’s music to the world. In order to write this report, you will need to conduct research around music distribution and return to your label with two recommendations. What is the best way to initially distribute your artist’s new music? Please note that the term music distribution in this context is not referring to concerts or other similar events, but specifically to album sales (i.e., physical copies, streams, etcetera that are used to measure the success of an album). 

Step 1: Before you begin, answer the following questions: Do I understand the rhetorical context for this report? What is my purpose for writing?What am I aiming to accomplish? Who is my audience? 

Step 2: In addition to the data you collected about your artist’s upcoming release on your trip, use at least four high-quality sources to support your recommendation report. These sources may include your artist’s record label, non-commercial resources (make sure your selection here is credible and not a random source from the internet), credible websites, and at least two library database articles (i.e., academic journals) or books (published by reputable publishing houses). In sum, you need TWO library database articles or published books plus TWO other sources as described above. 

Step 3: Draft your report based on the following information: 

You are addressing your report to the president or head of the marketing area at your label. To do this requires research on record label’s webpage to identify your contact. This receiver will impact the language use and tone of your report. Remember that (as in applications outside of this class) your recipient is expecting your report and will be very interested in your research. How will you explain the report’s purpose and relevance? What and how much background information will they need to be able to follow along? 

Step 5: Use four sections (with subsections if/as needed) in this report. Use the headings suggested in checklist below, or come up with others (functional, descriptive, or combination headings). See Ch. 11 for more information on the typical organization of a Recommendation report. 
Use a memo format to deliver your written report. Step 6: References 

1. Cite all sources in APA format, both in text, and at the end of your report, in a reference list (additional resources can be found on Blackboard). Your reference list is not counted as part of the assignment page length. 

2. Remember to summarize, paraphrase, and quote responsibly and as needed throughout your report. For efficiency, consistency, and readability, avoid over-quoting. This will allow you to persuade and inform your reader. 

3. Include internal citations (in-text citations) and a Reference list in APA style. (Meyer 2020 has more on APA style as does Blackboard). 

4. See checklist below for additional instructions.

1. Does the report answer all the reader’s potential questions/give enough information?

2. Does it include all the necessary and expected elements to fulfill its purpose?

3. Is the information specific, accurate, and unambiguous?

4. Is the information based on careful research?

5. Is the message brief and to the point?

6. Are the conclusions and recommendations clear? 

Note: This report will be the basis for your oral recommendation report.