Cookman Music

Cookman Music is the music publishing and licensing division of Cookman International, a Los Angeles-based company founded by Tomas Cookman in 2005. The company specializes in Latin alternative music for film, TV, advertising, and video games. Its placements include Breaking Bad, Big Love, Broad City, and ad campaigns for McDonald's and Chrysler. Best suited for Latin alternative artists seeking sync representation in the US market.

How Cookman Music Works

Cookman Music operates as part of Cookman International, a multi-faceted company that includes artist management, publishing, a record label (Nacional Records), and the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC). The publishing division handles sync licensing for the company's roster.

The process works as follows:

1. Roster representation: Cookman Music represents artists signed to Cookman International and Nacional Records. The company manages publishing, licensing, and sync placement for its roster.
2. Sync pitching: The company pitches Latin alternative tracks to music supervisors, ad agencies, and production companies. Cookman's deep connections in the Latin music scene give it access to supervisors seeking authentic Latin sounds.
3. License negotiation: Cookman handles sync fee negotiation, rights clearance, and contracting for placements.
4. Cross-division synergy: Artists benefit from Cookman's combined label, management, and publishing operations. A single deal can cover recording, management, and sync representation.
5. Catalog development: Cookman continually signs new Latin alternative artists, expanding its catalog across genres like Latin rock, hip-hop, electronic, cumbia, and reggaeton.

Real-World Example

A music supervisor needs a Latin electronic track for a scene in a TV drama. Cookman pitches a track from Ana Tijoux, a Chilean rapper on the Nacional Records roster. The supervisor licenses the track for a 30-second use in one episode. The sync fee for an indie Latin alternative track in a cable TV drama typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000. Cookman clears both master and publishing if it controls both, simplifying the process for the supervisor.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Cookman Music occupies a specific niche that few other sync companies serve well. Latin alternative music is underrepresented in mainstream production music libraries. Cookman fills that gap.

Consider these points:

• Latin alternative specialization: If you make Latin rock, Latin hip-hop, cumbia, or reggaeton, Cookman understands your genre and has the right industry contacts.
• US market access: Cookman is based in Los Angeles and understands how to pitch Latin music to US supervisors. This is different from pitching in Latin American markets.
• Full-service model: Cookman offers label, management, and publishing under one roof. This can streamline your career if you want a single partner for multiple services.
• LAMC connection: Cookman founded the Latin Alternative Music Conference. This gives the company and its artists access to a major industry networking event.

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

• Genre-specific: Cookman focuses on Latin alternative music. If you do not make Latin music, this company is not for you.
• Full-service commitment: Cookman's model involves deeper commitments than a simple sync deal. You may be signing with a management and label partner, not just a publishing company.
• Reservoir acquisition: Reservoir Media acquired the Nacional Records catalog. This may affect how Cookman's catalog is administered going forward. Verify current ownership before pursuing a deal.
• Limited team size: Cookman International has approximately 11 employees across all divisions. The sync team is small compared to major publishers.
• No open submission portal: Cookman does not run a public submission form. You must contact them directly or meet through industry events like LAMC.

Company Type and Licensing Model

Cookman Music operates as a traditional music publishing and sync licensing division rather than a production music library or royalty-free platform. The company does not offer subscription-based access to its catalog. Instead, it negotiates sync fees on a per-placement basis for each individual use. Cookman controls both master and publishing rights for artists signed to its roster, which allows it to offer one-stop licensing for supervisors who need quick clearance.

The company functions as part of Cookman International (now operating under the name Industria Works), which combines a record label (Nacional Records), artist management, publishing, and live events. This integrated structure means that Cookman Music does not license music from outside contributors. It exclusively represents artists signed to its own ecosystem.

Catalog Size and Genre Coverage

Nacional Records has released approximately 150 albums since its founding in 2005. The catalog spans Latin alternative genres including Latin rock, Latin hip-hop, cumbia, reggaeton, electronic, and Latin pop. Artists represented have included Ana Tijoux, Nortec Collective, Bomba Estereo, Manu Chao, Aterciopelados, Mexican Institute of Sound, La Vida Boheme, and Los Amigos Invisibles.

The catalog includes both master recordings and underlying compositions. Cookman has secured 9 Grammy or Latin Grammy wins from 72 nominations. The company sells approximately 300,000 albums per year worldwide in addition to its sync licensing revenue. Reservoir Media acquired the Nacional Records catalog, which may affect how portions of the catalog are administered going forward.

Client Base

Cookman Music's sync placements span film, television, advertising, and video games. Notable placements include:

• TV networks: Breaking Bad (AMC), Big Love (HBO), Broad City (Comedy Central)
• Advertising: McDonald's, Chrysler, Target, Lowe's
• Video games: Multiple placements (specific titles not publicly disclosed)

Cookman's clients are music supervisors at major studios and advertising agencies who need authentic Latin alternative music. The company does not serve YouTube creators or content creators looking for royalty-free music. Its client base consists of professional supervisors working on broadcast and theatrical productions.

How They Pay Artists

Cookman Music operates traditional publishing and licensing agreements with signed artists. The payment structure includes:

• Sync fees: Negotiated per placement. Cookman splits sync fees with the artist according to their publishing agreement. For a cable TV drama placement, fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000. Larger ad campaigns can generate significantly higher fees. Tomas Cookman has publicly described paying an artist $50,000 from a single 7-Eleven commercial placement.
• Performance royalties: Artists earn performance royalties through their PRO (Performing Rights Organization) when music airs on TV, radio, or in public venues. Cookman registers works with PROs to ensure royalty collection.
• No upfront fees to artists: Cookman does not charge artists for representation. The company earns its revenue from the sync fees and publishing royalties generated by placements.
• No buyout model: Cookman does not purchase catalogs outright from artists. Artists retain their underlying ownership while granting Cookman publishing administration rights.

Comparison Table

Videos

Similar Sync Licensing Companies

• Songtradr - Global sync licensing marketplace with 500,000+ tracks across all genres
• Terrorbird - Sync licensing and music supervision agency representing independent artists
• Secret Road - Sync placement agency specializing in independent and alternative music
• Crucial Music - Boutique sync licensing company representing independent artists and labels

Related Resources

• Sync Licensing Companies Directory
• Sync License Glossary Term
• Visit Nacional Records for inquiries