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MOVE GIVES ARTONE COMPLETE END-TO-END SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL PHYSICAL MUSIC MARKET
 
 
Artone announces its acquisition of UK-based global D2C e-commerce music retailer and distributor Townsend Music.
 
The acquisition creates the most comprehensive end-to-end solution for physical products in the music industry. By joining Artone’s portfolio of companies and labels (i.a. Bertus Distribution, Record Industry, V2, Music On Vinyl and Music On CD), Townsend Music becomes part of a market-leading, one-stop offering to artists, labels, publishers, retailers and consumers.
 
The acquisition is another welcome step for Artone’s continued expansion of its service portfolio and gives us presence in the UK market,” remarked the company’s CEO Jan Willem Kaasschieter. “This acquisition strengthens our position as a global leader in physical music distribution. We’re excited about the opportunities this will bring and look forward to driving the future of physical music together, developing further global reach and innovative solutions for the benefit of the music industry.”
 
Widely considered a D2C market leader, Townsend Music’s model of servicing white-label artist-led online shops and independent music retailers has proved hugely successful, consistently delivering chart-eligible sales and securing top 10 album placements nearly every week. The company’s in-house marketing, driven by a highly engaged online community and affiliate campaigns, boosts sales by expanding fan data and attracting new, engaged audiences, and has attracted over 1000 artists as clients including Kylie Minogue, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Van Morrison, Simply Red and Placebo.
 
“The partnership with Artone offers Townsend a clear opportunity to push its European expansion strategy forward quickly, with Artone’s well established sales, distribution and manufacturing facilities already in place,” Townsend Music founder Steve Bamber said.
 
Our goal has always been to become a truly global D2C company for music and merchandise,” the company’s Sales Director Bruce McKenzie added, “and now with 14 offices throughout Europe we can expand and upscale very quickly. Artone’s suite of services from vinyl manufacturing, EU physical distribution, and label services gives us perfect synergy to offer both our D2C clients and super-fan customers a super charged service.”
 
The physical music and merchandise market continues to grow strongly worldwide.  According to figures from the UK’s ERA (Entertainment Retailers’ Association), sales grew by 7.9% in the first half of 2024, with vinyl up 13.5% year-on-year to £86.3m. CD sales in the UK also grew, up 3.2% to £57.9m. In the US, revenue from vinyl sales improved for the 17th consecutive year with a 10.7% increase in units sold (24.3 million) and a 17% increase in revenue ($739.9m) (figures from the RIAA 2024 half-year report).
 
Townsend Music provides an integral part of Artone’s end-to-end solution and the company is set to continue its growth and expansion plans.
 

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Reservoir acquires producer catalog of Grammy winner Jack Douglas

Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced the acquisition of the producer royalties to the catalog of Grammy-winning American record producer Jack Douglas. The acquisition includes hits by Aerosmith and Cheap Trick. Douglas’ catalog is a...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Stationhead Voice Notes let artists speak up to engage, promote, and give back to fans

  Have you ever wondered what your favorite artists have to say? Stationhead, the world's largest streaming service and hub for fandom, now invites artists to speak up and reach their followers through the platform's all-new Voice Notes feature. With this...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Exploring the reinvention of classical music

Sam Jackson, Controller, BBC Radio 3 & BBC Proms alongside thought leaders from the classical world explore the genre's growing influence on popular culture       Today, Beyond The Music, the conference which aims to explore, define and shape the future of the music...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

BPI launches episode five of its Innovation Podcast series

  Episode 5: What Happens When Music Meets Games: Redefining cultural experiences for the next generation Listen to the podcast here   Building on its various innovation-led initiatives of the past 12 months, including its groundbreaking Grow Music partnership with London & Partners announced in July, the BPI is...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

BIMM University 'Tastemakers FM' Episode 4 - OUT NOW

BIMM University's'Tastemakers FM' Podcast:Episode 4 out now  LISTEN NOW To coincide with the start of the new academic year, BIMM University are proud to present the fourth episode of BIMM Tastemakers FM; a radio and podcast hybrid dedicated to celebrating the music, ingenuity, talent and industry...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

FUGA strikes deal with UNIFIED Music Group

  ●  Deal to provide Strategic Marketing Support, Global Technology Platform, Physical Distribution and Neighboring Rights Services to UNIFIED Music Group-owned labels ●  FUGA’s expansion across the region also sees it partner with Commonfolk Records, home to Ziggy Alberts Downtown-owned, B2B...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Warner Music Group Benelux acquires Cloud 9 Recordings

  The Dutch independent recorded music will join Warner Music Group's Benelux recorded music   Warner Music Group Benelux has today announced the acquisition of the renowned record label Cloud 9 Recordings. This acquisition marks the beginning of a close collaboration between the...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

BMG appoints Melanie McAllister to Chief Human Resources Officer

  BMG has announced the appointment of Melanie McAllister as its new global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective November 1st, 2024. As part of BMG's Executive Board, McAllister will report directly to BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld. In her new role, McAllister...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

MU Celebrates Employment Rights Bill – A Major Win for Trade Unions

The Labour Government has today published the Employment Rights Bill, the legislation that has come from years of union work on the New Deal for Working People. As a Labour affiliated trade union, the MU has been an intrinsic part of the...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Liverpool named host of 2025 Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards

Awards to take place on 27 March 2025 at iconic Liverpool Olympia  Newcomer award shortlist announced today    The UK's largest music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins is today announcing Liverpool as the host city of the second Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster and Live...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

The Independent announced as a global curator on Apple Music

  The Independent is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Apple Music, which will see it launch as a global curator on the music streaming service.  The title is kicking things off with four playlists, including The Independent’s long-running Now Hear This playlist, all curated...more

11 Oct 2024 | Press release

Field Day celebrates a new era relocating to Brockwell Park in 2025

Field Day heads South to join Brockwell Park’s collective of festivals with a brand-new date on May Bank Holiday Weekend After four successful years in Victoria Park, Field Day is heading south to its new home in Brockwell Park. The festival will be joining...more

10 Oct 2024 | Press release

Oasis's home city goes supersonic as BPI research for National Album Day reveals Manchester is the UK's top destination for launching chart-topping groups

  Marking the event’s theme this year of Great British Groups, the analysis reveals that 35 studio albums by bands from the North West city have reached No.1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart. These include seven Oasis releases and albums...more

10 Oct 2024 | Press release

Meddling Launches Listing Service - Track and Report Artist Signings and Departures for Free

  For a decade, Meddling has provided the default data tools for modern A&R coverage. Expanding to provide non-data driven A&R, Meddling is launching a free listing service that provides automatically detected artist signings and label departures along with the ability to report changes in...more

10 Oct 2024 | Press release

Believe UK promotes Johnny Pinchard to Head of A&R

Pinchard joined Believe from RCA in 2021.   The UK office of Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies, has promoted Johnny Pinchard to Head of A&R.  Stepping up from Senior A&R Manager, Pinchard will report to Believe UK’s Director of...more

10 Oct 2024 | Press release

An Exhibition by Renowned Photographer Sharon Latham Featuring New and Unseen Images of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

“Down the years I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best photographers in the world and I would put Sharon right up there.” - Noel Gallagher   As it celebrates 130 years of music history, Gibson, the iconic global instrument brand today, has...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

UK's world-class film sector handed major jobs and growth boost by tax reliefs

  Independent film productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53% Move will empower UK filmmakers to create more independent films and co-produce with other countries  Film and the creative industries to form key part of...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

Delphos launches AI powered music generator

Artists, Songwriters & Copyright Owners Empowered to take Control of AI Learning Tools Zaytoven ‘Beatworld’ Partnership Announced “It’s like collaborating with yourself on a good day.” Anglo-Ukrainian father and son team Roman and Ilya Tolchenov have announced the launch of Delphos, a music...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

Fortnite's Latest Parkour Map Features a Live DJ Set and Music Debut from Tescao's 'Dragon's Tale'

  Digital Residency, a leading innovator in entertainment, released Tescao's single, "Dragon’s Tale," in an unprecedented integration with Fortnite. This collaboration represents Digital Residency's most ambitious foray into the gaming world, blending Tescao's dynamic music with an immersive parkour map, offering...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

Music Venue Trust Named Independent Music Champion by AIM at 2024 Independent Music Awards

  AIM recognises MVT’s decade at the forefront of grassroots music venue movement Co-execs Mark Davyd & Beverley Whitrick received Award in surprise presentation at 10th anniversary Venues Day  Independent Music Awards to take place at The Roundhouse on Thursday 17 October The Association...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

L E M F R E CK wins Welsh Music Prize 2024 for album Blood, Sweat & Fears

L E M F R E C K has won the Welsh Music Prize as his album Blood, Sweat & Fears picked up the £10,000 prize for the best album made in Wales or by Welsh people around the world this past year...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

BEAT Music Fund Inks Catalog Deals with Kevin Saunderson, Markus Schulz and Robbie Rivera

The latest additions to BEAT’s roster further expand its influence in the dance genre and empower artists who have shaped techno, trance and house music. BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company from Armada Music Group, today announced a...more

09 Oct 2024 | Press release

European Talent Exchange announces new name and secures four years of funding

We are thrilled to announce that ESNS Exchange, the platform dedicated to the internationalisation of European music for over 20 years, will be rebranded to European Talent Exchange from the 1st of December 2024. The new name better reflects our mission to...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

The Ivors Academy strengthens its leadership with key promotions

  As part of The Ivors Academy’s ongoing commitment to fostering leadership, diversity and empowerment in the music industry, we are pleased to announce several key promotions. This news coincides with the upcoming induction of our Director of Awards, Fran Matthews,...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

Music Support announces record number of beneficiaries as it launches new awareness campaign

UK charity helps those who work in the music industry that have experienced challenges around substance use and/or mental health. Helpline calls up 51% YoY in 2024. New Safe Hub wellbeing survey shows YoY increase in those experiencing drug and/or alcohol...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

Research from RoEx highlights prevalence of audio quality issues in mixed and mastered tracks prior to release

Eight in ten mastered tracks exceed Apple Music and Spotify’s recommended loudness levels Clipping issues found in more than half of mastered tracks, with highest prevalence across electronic genres, and compression problems in half Paper, co-authored with Queen Mary University, to be...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

Ray Dalton brings entire publishing catalog to BMG

Multi-Diamond-selling singer and songwriter Ray Dalton has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with BMG for his entire catalog. Dalton’s 14-track debut solo album, Thee Unknown, was released in September this year. Ahead of the album, he released ‘ALL WE GOT’, which...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

Tom Connaughton - former Spotify, Managing Director UK & Ireland - to join boutique distributor - Canvas Music

Alongside senior addition to the team, Canvas Music announces long-term joint venture with US partner - Symphonic Distribution.   Canvas Music, one of the UK’s fastest growing independent boutique distributors, today announces the arrival of Spotify’s former Managing Director UK & Ireland...more

08 Oct 2024 | Press release

Long-Awaited .MUSIC Domain and MusicID Debuts Globally – With Full Support from the Global Music Industry

The .MUSIC registry announces the global launch of the community-based .MUSIC top-level domain name extension and its verified MusicID.   Today, the global music industry and community takes a transformative step forward with the official launch of the .MUSIC domain name. All members of...more

07 Oct 2024 | Press release

Southbank Centre launches unique experimental sound system Concrete Voids with new artist commissions

  The Southbank Centre has today announced the first names as part of its bespoke large-scale experimental audio project, Concrete Voids. Concrete Voids will have its public debut with a series of concerts featuring new Southbank Centre commissioned works by rapper and producer Lex Amor,...more

11 Oct 2024

  • Is it time to stop and rethink how we're strategising marketing? (see Comment)

10 Oct 2024

  • Inside TikTok’s money squeeze on independent labels: ‘this is a classic divide-and-conquer situation’ (see Digital)

  • Proper Group AG is "riddled with debt" (see News)

09 Oct 2024

  • Jason Iley on Sony Music, breaking artists, and life lessons (see Features)

  • Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson of Warner Records interviewed (see Features)

08 Oct 2024

  • Darcus Beese: ‘The major-label ecosystem is broken’ (see Podcasts)

07 Oct 2024

  • Pop stars are spending fortunes on blockbuster videos for the first time in years. Will it pay off? (see Features)

04 Oct 2024

  • Niamh Byrne and Jill Hollywood named Chair and Vice Chair of the MMF (see News)

03 Oct 2024

  • Impala opposes TikTok's attempt to boycott Merlin (see News)

02 Oct 2024

  • Artist development - Interview with Nick Worthington (see Features)

  • UK acts struggle in OCC chart of the biggest songs and albums of 2024 (see Reports)

01 Oct 2024

  • What the music industry can learn from Nike's disastrous 2024 (see Comment)

  • When did popular music become standardised? (see Analysis)

30 Sep 2024

  • Max Lousada writes a farewell note to Warner staff (see News)

  • Elliot Grainge wants to sign up top musicians with the promise of greater transparency (see Features)