Creating Commercial Magic: How Great Sync Placements Are Made ft. Heather Cook CEO of Freedom Music

The podcast introduces Heather Cook, a veteran in the music sync licensing industry with over 20 years of experience. She owns Freedom Music Group and has worked with major brands like Apple and Nike. Heather is also an accomplished singer, songwriter, and author of 'Music for Marketing and Brands'.

Heather shares her early journey in music, starting with playing the violin at age 8 and later exploring other instruments. She faced challenges in defining her sound and eventually pursued a music business degree at Belmont University, where she began managing artists and gaining industry experience.

After graduating, Heather started her first company, Cooking Up Music, focusing on music publishing and artist management. She gained valuable connections and experience, which led her to a position at Peer Music, where she worked in the sync department and learned the intricacies of music licensing.

At Peer Music, Heather oversaw a sync rep program and helped artists land placements in various media. She shares a pivotal moment when one of her managed artists, Emily Reed, was offered a writing opportunity with Disney, marking a significant breakthrough in her career.

Heather discusses her transition from Peer Music to Eternal Music Group, where she produced albums for a music library. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and how her experiences at both companies shaped her career and artistic direction.

After facing health challenges, including chronic pain and surgeries, Heather found renewed energy and creativity, leading her to write over 100 songs during the pandemic. She launched her artist project, Brewster, and began releasing music that reflects her rock influences.

Heather shares her experiences with her new company, Freedom Music Group, which she started in December. She has signed over 100 writers and producers, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community and fostering collaboration among artists.

The conversation shifts to the importance of marketing in the music industry. Heather advises artists to actively promote themselves and their music, highlighting the need for a strong online presence and storytelling to attract music supervisors and brands.

Heather discusses the genres that are most successful in sync licensing, noting that rock, pop, and hip-hop dominate the market. She also mentions the growing interest in Latin music and the challenges of placing country music in advertising due to its storytelling nature.

Heather provides tips for aspiring musicians, emphasizing the importance of honing their craft, collaborating with others, and setting realistic goals for songwriting. She encourages artists to be proactive in their marketing efforts and to continuously create music.