How much should I be charging for commercial music with major brand credits?
I’m a Canada-based composer with about 7 years of experience. Over the past few years I’ve been composing for commercials through an agency based in China. Through that, I’ve worked on spots for some pretty major brands (Nike, Corona, Perrier, Hennessy, etc.), mostly writing 30-60 second cues.
I’m starting to question whether the pricing model I’ve been working under is actually reflective of the broader market, especially in North America. I’ve been told by a few people in the industry that composers working directly with U.S. agencies or brands (with North American budgets) could be charging significantly more, and that outsourcing through overseas agencies can sometimes undercut composers without them realizing it.
So I’m trying to recalibrate and get a clearer picture.
A few things I’d love insight on:
- What are you typically charging for a 30-second commercial spot (ballpark ranges are totally fine)?
- Do you separate creative fee vs. licensing/buyout? If so, how?
- If you’ve transitioned from lower-paying markets to higher-budget clients, what changed in your pricing approach?
I feel like I’ve built up a solid portfolio with legit brands, but I don’t want to keep undervaluing my work if the budgets I’ve been exposed to aren’t representative of the industry standard over here.
Appreciate any insight — even rough numbers or general frameworks would be super helpful.
Thanks!