Score a Score is a Los Angeles-based music production, licensing, and supervision company founded in 2010 by Jordan Passman. The company represents a global roster of over 400 composers and a curated catalog of over 70,000 original tracks, all customizable and one-stop. Score a Score has worked with brands including Microsoft, Google, Coca-Cola, Apple, Meta, and McDonald's, and has created music for film trailers for every major studio. The company employs 51 people across 16 countries with offices in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Detroit. Founder Jordan Passman's father, Don Passman, wrote the industry reference book "All You Need to Know About the Music Business." Best suited for composers seeking representation for high-profile ad and trailer work, and for brands needing full-service music solutions.
How Score a Score Works
Score a Score operates as a full-service music company. The team handles licensing, custom composition, supervision, sound design, mixing, and sonic branding.
The process works as follows:
- Curated music pulls: Clients request music for specific briefs. Score a Score's team curates selections from its 70,000-track catalog and delivers options quickly.
- Turnkey licensing: All catalog tracks are one-stop, meaning both master and publishing are cleared in a single transaction. This simplifies the licensing process for clients.
- Bespoke production: For projects needing original music, Score a Score assigns composers from its 400-plus roster. The company covers all genres and styles.
- Music supervision: The company provides full supervision services including clearance, negotiation, and cue sheet management for film, TV, and ads.
- Sound design and mixing: Score a Score offers custom sound design and mixing services for projects that need audio post-production.
- Sonic branding: The company creates sonic identities for brands, including audio logos and brand soundscapes. Score a Score reports 50% faster turnaround and 80% lower costs than industry standards for sonic branding.
- Multi-office presence: Score a Score has offices in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Detroit, giving it coverage across major US media markets.
Company Type and Licensing Model
Score a Score is a full-service music production, licensing, and supervision company. It is not a production music library or a royalty-free platform. The company operates as a "music department in a box" for brands, studios, and advertising agencies. It combines a curated catalog of 70,000+ one-stop tracks with a roster of 400+ composers for custom work.
The licensing model works as follows:
- Per-placement and project-based licensing: Catalog tracks are licensed per placement with negotiated fees. Custom composition, sound design, and sonic branding are priced per project based on scope, usage, and exclusivity.
- One-stop clearance: All 70,000+ catalog tracks are one-stop. Both master and publishing rights are cleared in a single transaction, simplifying the process for clients.
- Work-for-hire for custom projects: Custom composition for brands and trailers often involves work-for-hire agreements. Composers may give up ownership of compositions created for specific projects. Terms should be reviewed carefully.
- Sonic branding packages: Score a Score offers tiered sonic branding packages starting at $5,000 (Elite) and scaling to $20,000+ (Custom). These include audio logos, brand soundscapes, and worldwide exclusive licenses.
- Open roster applications: Score a Score accepts composer applications through their website. This is more accessible than agencies that only work through industry connections.
- No fee transparency for roster composers: Score a Score does not publicly disclose its fee splits for roster composers or catalog artists. All terms are negotiated directly.
This model differs from sync licensing agencies (which represent external artists) and from production music libraries (which own their catalogs). Score a Score functions as a hybrid production company and licensing agency that creates, licenses, and supervises music for media.
Submission / Application Details
Score a Score accepts composer applications through the Join Our Roster page on their website. This is one of the more accessible sync agencies for new composers.
- How to apply: Submit a portfolio through scoreascore.com/join-our-roster. The company reviews submissions and contacts selected candidates.
- Required materials: A portfolio of work demonstrating range and production quality. Show versatility across genres and styles.
- What they look for: The company only partners with artists when they genuinely believe they can create success together. Quality and reliability matter more than volume.
- No application fee: Score a Score does not charge a submission fee.
- Work-for-hire common: Custom composition for brands and trailers often involves work-for-hire agreements. You may give up ownership of compositions created for specific projects. Review terms carefully.
- No guaranteed placements: Being on the roster does not guarantee project assignments. The company matches composers to projects based on style and availability.
Real-World Example
A global tech brand needs a sonic identity for a product launch. Score a Score's team creates an audio logo, a brand soundscape, and a 30-second commercial track. The project includes custom composition, sound design, and mixing. The fee for a full sonic branding package with a global brand launch typically ranges from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on scope. Score a Score delivers the final assets within 4 weeks.
In another scenario, a trailer house needs music for a Disney film trailer. Score a Score pitches tracks from its catalog and also offers a custom option. The supervisor chooses a custom track. The fee for a custom major studio trailer composition typically ranges from $10,000 to $30,000.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Score a Score offers composers access to high-profile brand and trailer work. The company's 5-consecutive-year appearance on the Inc. 5000 list (through 2020) demonstrates consistent growth and client demand.
Consider these points:
- Open roster applications: Score a Score accepts composer applications through their website. This is more accessible than agencies that only work through industry connections.
- 400+ composer roster: The company maintains a large roster, meaning it handles significant project volume. More projects mean more opportunities for roster composers.
- Major brand and studio clients: Score a Score works with Microsoft, Google, Apple, Disney, Netflix, and HBO. Your music gets pitched for A-level campaigns.
- Multi-service revenue: Composers can earn from catalog licensing, custom composition, sound design, and sonic branding. Multiple revenue streams increase earning potential.
- Inc. 5000 recognition: Five consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list indicates the company is growing and paying out millions to its roster.
- "Music department in a box": Founder Jordan Passman describes the company as a full-service music department for brands and studios. This means consistent project flow across multiple service types.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
- Large roster competition: With over 400 composers, competition for project assignments is significant. Not every roster composer gets regular work.
- No guaranteed placements: Being on the roster does not guarantee project assignments. The company matches composers to projects based on style and availability.
- Work-for-hire common: Custom composition for brands and trailers often involves work-for-hire agreements. You may give up ownership of compositions created for specific projects. Review terms carefully.
- Corporate client focus: Score a Score primarily serves large brands and studios. Independent artists looking for small-scale placements may not benefit.
- Fee transparency: Score a Score does not publicly disclose its fee splits for roster composers or catalog artists. All terms are negotiated directly.
Comparison: Score a Score vs Other Sync Licensing Companies
| Feature | Score a Score | Crucial Music | Riptide Music Group | Marmoset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company type | Music production, licensing, and supervision | Curated sync licensing agency | Sync licensing, publishing, and digital label | Music licensing agency |
| Licensing model | Per-placement and project-based | Per-use (needledrop), 50/50 split | Non-exclusive co-publishing | Per-placement, commission-based |
| Catalog size | 70,000+ original tracks | 16,000+ pre-cleared tracks | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Exclusivity | Work-for-hire for custom projects | Non-exclusive | Non-exclusive co-publishing | Non-exclusive |
| Artist payout | Negotiated directly (not disclosed) | 50/50 split of sync fees | Revenue sharing on sync fees and royalties | Negotiated percentage (varies) |
| Typical fee range | $5,000 to $100,000+ per project | $500 to $5,000+ per placement | $1,000 to $15,000+ per placement | $500 to $10,000+ per placement |
Videos
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Crucial Music - Studio City sync licensing agency with custom music division and 50/50 split
- Riptide Music Group - Culver City sync licensing, publishing, and digital label
- Terrorbird - Brooklyn-based sync licensing agency with custom music division (Terrorbird Originals)
- Marmoset - Music licensing agency for brands, film, and television
