BERLIN (CelebrityAccess) — BMG has announced a pair of new deals that helps to solidify its presence in the recorded music business in Europe.
On Monday, the company announced that it had formed a joint venture with ball Music, one of the biggest independent labels in the Netherlands, and acquired French record label Atmosphériques, including the catalog of Charlie Winston.
The deals are designed to build BMG’s capabilities in recorded music as it develops its pipeline of releases. In October 2015 BMG scored its first US Number One album with Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable. This followed Number One albums in Germany (RAF 3.0), the UK (You Me At Six and alt-J) and the Netherlands (Within Temptation).
Indie Dutch label 8ball Music is based in Hilversum which was founded in 2006 and features a roster of artists that include Alain Clark, Miss Montreal, A Silent Express, and Bertolf. The deal also includes 8ball's sister dance and EDM label Powerhouse Music and Dutch repertoire label Dino Music.
Atmosphériques, founded by Marc Thonon, is perhaps best known for discovering and signing Louise Attaque whose 3m-selling debut album became the biggest selling French rock album ever, as well as the album Soldat Rose, which became the best selling children-oriented release in the last decade, selling more than half a million units.
Thonon will remain with the team at Atmosphériques, serving in consultancy role.
BMG France Managing Director Stéphane Berlow said, “Atmosphériques has a deserved reputation as one of France’s great independent labels. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with its talented roster, and extremely pleased that we will be able to benefit from Marc Thonon’s input going forward.” – Staff Writers
