Virgin Music Group, Part of Universal Music Group The global independent artist and label services division has been acquired again.
This time, VMG swooped in industryan artist and label services and rights management business focused on China, India and other “high-potential markets.”
The deal marks the latest global M&A move by Universal’s Virgin Music Group and follows the acquisition Saban Music Latin January.
As part of the deal, Outdustry founder Ed Chester Appointed Senior Vice President, International Strategy, Virgin Music Group, while continuing to serve as CEO of industry.
London-based Peto will join the company’s global leadership team and, according to Virgin Music Group, will “play a key role in shaping the company’s growth strategy.” China, India and other rapidly growing areas.
Pito will report to Virgin Music Group co-chief executive Jett myers and Nat Pastorand Michael RoyManaging Director, Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA), Virgin Music Group.
“Ed will play a key role as we set out our plans for global expansion. We are delighted that he and his team are joining Virgin Music Group in this exciting next step in its evolution.
JT Myers
“After more than 15 years working in China, India and other regions, Ed and his team have built unparalleled experience and relationships in some of the world’s most important growth markets,” Myers said.
“Ed will play a key role as we set out our plans for global expansion. We are delighted that he and his team are joining Virgin Music Group in this exciting next step in its evolution.
Founded in Beijing In 2008, Outdustry claimed to have played a major role in an international success story China and India Collaborated with artists including Adele, Dua Lipa, Lauv, Laufey, Major Lazer/Diplo and Charli XCX.
VMG noted on Wednesday (October 30) that Outdustry also led the independent giant’s “milestone” market entry beggars group and licensing agency Merlin, as well as providing consulting services to Spotify, PRS, Believe and many other entities in Greater China.
The acquisition brings fifteen years of experience in these markets to Virgin Outdustry, which will continue to operate its marketing services, publishing company and labeling business under the Outdustry brand.
industry There is staff Located in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Shanghai and Taipei.
In addition to its marketing services business, Outdustry has also established a music publishing business, Outdustry Songs, which launched in 2020.
The company said on Wednesday it had conducted “dozens of edits” with stars from China’s pop music industry, including some of the market’s hottest songs including Zhou Bichang, Kunming, Jolin Tsai, Li Yuchun, Lu Han, Sunnee, Jane Zhang and others. Pharaoh and so on.
The company also operates a record label called Outdustry Records, which is said to be “dedicated to discovering the next generation of breakout stars from these regions.”
The businesses will continue to work with Universal Music Publishing Group and Virgin Music Group.
“Bringing everything we’ve built at Outdustry into Virgin Music Group presents a huge opportunity for us to expand our global horizons.”
Ed Chester
Peto added: “Bringing what we have built at Outdustry into Virgin Music Group provides a huge opportunity for us to expand our global horizons.
“This has never been a more exciting time to be working in music, and I look forward to working closely with the incredible team Nat and JT have assembled to create more opportunities for independent music entrepreneurs and artists around the world.”
Elsewhere around the world, VMG established a presence in Brazil in 2021 and expanded its involvement in Latin music through acquisitions Saban Music Latin earlier this year. Also in 2021, VMG opened an office in the Western Balkans.
In 2022, the company established its presence in Africa, and in 2023 it opened an office in Nigeria.
Last August, Universal acquired Chabaka Music, a UAE-based music company specializing in digital distribution, marketing, publishing and artist services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Following the acquisition of Chabaka, the latter became part of the UMG Virgin Music Group.
In July, VMG collaborated with Tokyo Frontier Works to release an anime music project.global music business
