Submitting Marketing Drivers in SymphonicMS is one of the most important steps you can take before release day if your Symphonic plan includes marketing and playlist pitching support. Your music is the foundation, but your release story, timeline, campaign activity, audience signals, and promotional assets help give that music more context.
When Marketing Drivers live directly inside SymphonicMS, you can keep those details tied to the release itself. That means less duplicate data entry, better visibility, and a more organized way to show what is happening around your campaign.
Since this feature first launched, release planning inside SymphonicMS has become even stronger with Release Campaign Builder, a tool that helps artists and labels turn release information, artist profile details, goals, budget, and campaign inputs into a clearer marketing plan.
Key Takeaways
- Marketing Drivers help explain why your release deserves attention now, including story, audience momentum, press, video, touring, ads, playlist history, and other campaign activity.
- Submit early. Six weeks before release day is ideal, and five weeks is the minimum recommended lead time for Symphonic marketing support.
- Keep your details current. If you confirm new press, ads, tour dates, premieres, videos, or other updates, add them in SymphonicMS.
- Use Release Campaign Builder alongside Marketing Drivers. Marketing Drivers help with eligible pitching context, while Release Campaign Builder helps you organize your own campaign plan.
What Are Marketing Drivers?
Marketing Drivers are the release-specific details that show what is happening around your music and why the release has momentum. They help explain the story, strategy, and activity behind your upcoming song, EP, or album.
Strong Marketing Drivers can include things like:
- The story behind the release
- Confirmed press, premieres, interviews, or media support
- Music videos, lyric videos, visualizers, live sessions, or short-form content plans
- Tour dates, festival appearances, release shows, or notable live moments
- Advertising plans across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, or other platforms
- Pre-save or pre-sale campaign information
- Social media growth, engagement, or content moments tied to the release
- Previous DSP playlist placements, editorial support, or notable platform wins
- Third-party playlist activity
- Radio campaigns, DJ support, or club support
- Brand partnerships, sync activity, influencer campaigns, or other unique promotional moments
- Physical products such as vinyl, CDs, merch bundles, or limited editions
For eligible clients, these details help Symphonic better understand how to position your release for DSP feature and playlist pitching consideration. They do not guarantee placement, but they give your release a stronger, more complete story.
What Changed in SymphonicMS?
Previously, clients had to re-enter certain release information when submitting Marketing Drivers. Now, the form is built into SymphonicMS, so your marketing details can be connected more directly to the release you just submitted.
After your release is submitted, clicking Submit Marketing Drivers takes you to the Marketing Driver page for that release. Instead of repeating information that already exists in your release setup, you can focus on the new details that matter most for marketing.
Another major improvement is that you can update Marketing Drivers directly inside SymphonicMS as your campaign develops. If you confirm new press, add tour dates, lock in an ad campaign, schedule a video premiere, or secure other new support, you can add those details to keep your submission current.
Who Should Submit Marketing Drivers?
Marketing and playlist pitching through Symphonic is available for Partner plans. If your account includes this support, you should submit Marketing Drivers when you submit your release.
Starter clients do not submit Marketing Drivers for Symphonic DSP pitching, but they can still use Release Campaign Builder to plan a stronger release campaign. Your available tools will appear in your SymphonicMS account based on your plan.
If you are not sure what is available in your account, log into SymphonicMS and review the Marketing menu, or visit the Marketing, Services, and Enrollments section of the Symphonic Help Desk.
How to Submit Marketing Drivers in SymphonicMS
- Submit your release in SymphonicMS. Make sure your audio, artwork, metadata, release date, artist profile details, contributors, and links are accurate.
- Go to the Marketing area. In SymphonicMS, look for DSP Features & Playlist Pitching or the Marketing Drivers option available for your account.
- Select the release you want to support. If you clicked Submit Marketing Drivers after submitting your release, you should be taken directly to the right Marketing Driver page.
- Add release-specific details. Focus on what makes this release unique, what you are doing to promote it, and what proof points show momentum.
- Submit the form. Make sure every required section is complete before you submit.
- Update as new information comes in. Add confirmed press, videos, ads, live dates, playlist support, or other campaign details directly in SymphonicMS.
For the best chance of being reviewed in time, aim to submit your release and Marketing Drivers six weeks before release day. The minimum recommended lead time for Symphonic marketing support is five weeks before release day.
What to Include in a Strong Marketing Driver Submission
A strong submission should make it easy for someone to understand the release quickly. Think like a playlist editor, music journalist, platform partner, or new fan seeing the artist for the first time. What is the story? Why now? Who is listening? What activity is happening around the music?
The Story Behind the Release
Do not just describe the song as new, exciting, or personal. Explain what the release is about, where it fits in your catalog, and what makes it meaningful. Include the inspiration, mood, genre, collaborators, production details, or larger project context.
Weak example: This is our new single and we are excited for everyone to hear it.
Stronger example: This is the second single from our upcoming EP and introduces a more dance-focused sound after last year’s acoustic project. The track was produced by a longtime collaborator and is built around themes of late-night independence, friendship, and starting over.
Campaign Activity
List the actions you are taking to drive listeners to the release. This can include pre-save campaigns, teaser content, ads, influencer outreach, email marketing, playlist outreach, creator campaigns, release shows, or fan activations.
Whenever possible, include dates, platforms, links, budgets, confirmed partners, and measurable details. Specifics are more useful than general plans.
Audience and Momentum Signals
Include current audience signals that show listener activity or fan interest. This can include social growth, engagement rates, strong-performing posts, fan-created content, previous streaming milestones, ticket sales, newsletter size, or playlist history.
You do not need huge numbers to write a useful submission. Smaller artists can still show momentum through consistency, clear fan response, and a well-organized campaign.
Press, Video, and Live Plans
If you have a music video, visualizer, lyric video, release show, tour, media premiere, interview, or radio campaign, include it. These assets help show that the release is part of a larger moment, not just a one-day upload.
Links and Assets
Make sure links are working and easy to review. Include relevant links to your website, press kit, social accounts, pre-save page, video assets, tour dates, press coverage, or other campaign materials.
How Release Campaign Builder Fits Into Your Rollout
Release Campaign Builder helps artists and labels create a clearer release marketing plan using information connected to their Symphonic account, including release details, artist profile information, goals, budget, and campaign inputs.
Instead of starting with a blank page, you can use Release Campaign Builder to organize your campaign into practical phases, including pre-release, release day, and post-release promotion. It is designed to help you understand what to do, when to do it, and where to focus your energy.
Use Release Campaign Builder alongside Marketing Drivers, not instead of them.
- Marketing Drivers help communicate why your release is worth considering for eligible DSP pitching and marketing support.
- Release Campaign Builder helps you organize your own release plan so you can execute more consistently before, during, and after launch.
For example, if Release Campaign Builder suggests a teaser schedule, pre-save push, ad campaign, or post-release content plan, those details may also be useful to include in your Marketing Drivers if your plan includes Marketing Driver submissions.
To use the tool, your release should generally be at least six weeks out. In SymphonicMS, go to the Marketing tab and select Release Campaign Builder if it is available in your account.
A Simple Release Timeline for Marketing Drivers
| Timing | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ weeks before release | Submit your release in SymphonicMS, update your artist profile, claim artist pages, gather assets, and start your Release Campaign Builder plan. | This gives your team, DSPs, and campaign partners more time to review and prepare. |
| 5 weeks before release | Submit Marketing Drivers if your account includes marketing support. Add your story, assets, campaign plans, and confirmed promotional activity. | This is the minimum recommended lead time for Symphonic marketing support. |
| 3 to 4 weeks before release | Launch pre-save or pre-sale activity, start teaser content, pitch press, confirm video plans, and prepare ad campaigns. | This gives fans a reason to engage before release day. |
| 2 weeks before release | Update Marketing Drivers with new confirmations, publish more short-form content, and make sure all links and profiles are current. | Fresh details can make your campaign story stronger. |
| Release week | Switch messaging from pre-save to out now, share your smartlink, update profiles, post content, email fans, and monitor support. | Release day should feel like the start of the campaign, not the end. |
| After release | Share fan reactions, playlist adds, press wins, live clips, performance updates, and new content angles. | Post-release momentum can help a song keep finding new listeners. |
Examples of Stronger Marketing Driver Details
Details matter. When filling out your Marketing Drivers, avoid vague statements and replace them with clear, release-specific information.
Instead of: “We are posting on Instagram.”
Try: “The artist is posting three Reels per week leading up to release day, including studio footage, a lyric teaser, and a fan call-to-action. The strongest teaser will be boosted with paid spend during release week.”
Instead of: “We have a music video.”
Try: “The official music video premieres on YouTube the day before release, followed by three vertical clips cut for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.”
Instead of: “We are playing shows.”
Try: “The artist has a release show confirmed in Brooklyn on release weekend, plus three regional support dates the following month. The release will be promoted at each show through QR codes and merch table signage.”
Instead of: “We are running ads.”
Try: “The campaign includes a two-week Meta ad test using the pre-save link before release, then a streaming smartlink after release day. Creative includes the chorus hook, cover art animation, and a live performance clip.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting too late. Last-minute submissions give everyone less time to review, pitch, and plan.
- Copying the same text for every release. Each song has a different story, purpose, and audience angle.
- Only listing hopes instead of confirmed activity. Goals are helpful, but confirmed plans are stronger.
- Leaving out links. Make it easy to review press, videos, pre-save pages, playlists, social activity, and artist profiles.
- Forgetting to update your submission. If your campaign changes, your Marketing Drivers should change too.
- Not aligning your public profiles. If your Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, TikTok, website, and socials all look different, the campaign can feel disconnected.
Prepare Your DSP Profiles Before Release Day
Marketing Drivers work best when your public-facing artist presence supports the same story. Before release day, make sure your artist profiles, photos, bios, links, playlists, and social accounts are current wherever possible.
Helpful profile and pitching resources include:
- How to Claim and Update Your Artist Page on Major Music Platforms
- Spotify for Artists playlist pitching guidance
- Amazon Music for Artists pitching guidance
- Apple Music for Artists profile guidance
Use these platform tools in addition to your SymphonicMS workflow. Your strongest release plan combines a complete distributor submission, detailed Marketing Drivers where eligible, accurate artist profiles, and a clear fan-facing campaign.
Ready to Turn Your Release Details Into a Plan?
Once your release information and Marketing Drivers are in place, open Release Campaign Builder in SymphonicMS. It can help you organize your plan around campaign goals, timing, content, budget, and post-release momentum.
A great release campaign does not need to be overwhelming. Start early, be specific, update your details as new wins happen, and keep your fans at the center of every step.
Learn more about Release Campaign Builder or log into SymphonicMS to start planning your next campaign.
Marketing Drivers and Release Campaign Builder FAQs
What are Marketing Drivers in SymphonicMS?
Marketing Drivers are the release-specific story, assets, audience signals, and campaign plans that help explain why your release is worth supporting now. They can include press, videos, ads, live dates, pre-save activity, social momentum, playlist history, and other promotional details.
Do Marketing Drivers guarantee playlist placement?
No. Marketing Drivers support playlist and feature pitching consideration where eligible, but placements are never guaranteed. A detailed submission gives your release better context and a stronger story.
When should I submit Marketing Drivers?
Submit Marketing Drivers when you submit the release, ideally six weeks before release day. The minimum recommended lead time for Symphonic marketing support is five weeks before release day.
Can I update Marketing Drivers after submitting?
Yes. If new press, tour dates, videos, ads, playlist support, or other relevant updates come in, update your Marketing Drivers directly in SymphonicMS so your campaign details stay current.
Does Release Campaign Builder replace Marketing Drivers?
No. Use Marketing Drivers to submit release context for eligible marketing and DSP pitching support. Use Release Campaign Builder to create and organize your own release marketing plan around that release.
Who can use Release Campaign Builder?
Release Campaign Builder is available in SymphonicMS for Starter and Partner accounts. Marketing Driver submissions for DSP pitching are plan-dependent and are not available for Starter accounts.
Keep Learning
- What Are Marketing Drivers And Why Do I Need Them?
- Symphonic Masterclass Recap: Fueling Your Next Release with Marketing Drivers
- Introducing Release Campaign Builder in the SymphonicMS
- How to Plan a Release Strategy That Spans the Entire Year
- Best Practices for Marketing Your Release
