Dominican becomes new ISRC manager; offers music track protection, distribution among others

As online and digital media become the primary means of presenting and promoting music, the importance of the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) system is increasingly significant for tracking and royalties collections on music and video recording.

To this end, newly minted ISRC Manager Chester W. Wilkins, aka DJ Massive, a Dominican born and raised in Point Michel, is delving into this segment of the industry, offering not only allocation services of the codes but a 5-point service plan – ISRC codes, distribution services, consulting, merchandising, and royalties assistance – for artists, record labels and distributors through his Iowa-based company, LinkQMedia.

Wilkins also has a branch of LinkQMedia operating in Dominica.

“I began pursing status as an ISRC manager after looking at the changes in the music industry,” Wilkins says. “It’s going tech right now. Everything is going digital.”

“I wanted to figure out how an independent artist, label or distribution company can track the digital sales of music – tracing it to get protection,” he adds.

LinkQMedia registers clients’ music tracks with an ISRC that acts as a fingerprint to trace digital sales and determines what royalties are owed to the owner. The ISRC system is a “unique global way of tracking songs and videos,” Wilkins says. Each music track needs an individual ISRC code, which lasts the life of the track, and any accompanying video recordings of that song need a separate ISRC code.

“The ISRC is racing up to prevent piracy,” Wilkins says.

LinkQMedia also offers distribution service to spread clients’ music internationally in the mobile and digital realms using companies such as TuneCore, Jamster, and many more. Artists and record labels can capitalize on the increased exposure of their songs and videos while the ISRC codes simultaneously protect the product and allow for royalties collections on the digital tracks.

Wilkins’ 5 elements of service include coaching on royalties collections as well. Upon divvying out ISRC codes for music and/or video recordings, LinkQMedia advises clients on how to maximize use of the codes by ensuring the company or individual is registered with the proper agencies and that the codes are passed onto these entities for tracking purposes.

LinkQMedia is also seasoned in the merchandising sector of the industry. This service will further promote and expose an individual artist’s or label’s music and videos by providing fans and customers with branded merchandise for online purchase.

“We give you a base where you can create your own merchandising and sell your own product,” Wilkins says of this element of his services.

Throughout the process of distributing the ISRC codes, setting up merchandising accounts, distributing the music online and coaching on royalties collection, LinkQMedia provides consultation on each of the elements so that clients can effectively and independently manage their codes and products.
Wilkins describes LinkQMedia’s services as providing a “mini workshop.”

“You’re walking away with the codes and distribution, understanding of ISRC and how you can collect your residuals,” he says.