Guide
Choosing a publishing admin deal
An admin deal is the lightest agreement in music publishing: you keep the copyright, the administrator registers and collects, and takes a percentage of what arrives. The details still matter. Here is what to check before you sign — and how our flat 15% deal, with sync pitching included, measures up.
How an admin deal works
You appoint an administrator to represent your works for a fixed term. They register each song with societies worldwide, collect the publisher's share, pursue unclaimed and retroactive income, and pay you the balance after their fee. Nothing about your ownership changes, and your PRO membership is unaffected.
Eight things to check before signing
- 01RateWhat percentage of collections is retained, and is it the same for performance, mechanical and sync?
- 02Term lengthHow many years, and does it renew automatically unless you cancel?
- 03Retention periodAfter the term ends, how long can the administrator keep collecting on income earned during it?
- 04CopyrightConfirm in writing that no copyright share is assigned. Administration should never transfer ownership.
- 05Sync splitWho pitched the placement, and what does each side take? A 50/50 split on sourced syncs is standard; incoming requests should not be charged at that rate.
- 06TerritoryWorldwide, or a shortlist of countries? Partial territory means partial income.
- 07AccountingHow often are statements issued, what detail do they show, and is there an audit right?
- 08AdvancesIf there is one, is it recoupable only from your share, and is it cross-collateralised with anything else?
Red flags
- Any assignment of copyright described as "standard" in an administration agreement
- A term that renews automatically with a short cancellation window
- A retention period longer than the term itself
- Fees charged up front or as a subscription regardless of collections
- Vague territory language instead of a worldwide grant
- No statement schedule and no audit right
How our deal scores on that checklist
A flat 15% of what we collect, 85% to you, nothing up front and no subscription. Worldwide registration across 60+ societies, retroactive recovery of unclaimed income, quarterly statements you can audit, and 100% catalog ownership retained by you at all times — no copyright is ever assigned. Syncs we source are split 50/50 on the placement fee; incoming and society sync stays 15/85.
The clause most writers should compare hardest is sync. Most admin companies register and collect and nothing more. We actively pitch your catalog for film, TV, advertising, games and sport through EDM Publishing's network, so the catalog is being worked rather than just filed. Send your catalog and the agreement is with you within one working day. Full detail is in the terms and in the administration guide.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good rate for a publishing admin deal?
- Anything at or under 15% of collections is a strong deal, provided the service is real rather than automated. MusicPublishing.org charges a flat 15% — and unlike most admin companies at that rate, we also pitch your catalog for sync.
- How long should the term be?
- One to three years with a clear exit is normal. Watch for automatic renewal and for a long retention period after the term ends.
- Can I sign an admin deal if I already have a PRO?
- Yes. An administration agreement sits alongside your PRO membership. Your society keeps paying you the writer's share directly, while we claim the publisher's share you are currently missing.
Put your catalog on collection
You keep your copyrights and 85% of what we collect. Nothing to pay up front.