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BuzzJack Music Forum _ UK Charts _ Sony acquires Ministry of Sound
Posted by: gooddelta 10th August 2016, 02:14 PM
Source: Musicweek.com // Author: Murray Stassen
As a result, Sony Music UK has acquired the label outright, including its artists, back catalogue and compilations business. The new relationship brings together one of the most successful UK independent labels with Sony Music, which has successfully introduced domestic acts including Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, George Ezra and Calvin Harris across the world.
Ministry of Sound Recordings was launched in 1993 as an extension of the pioneering South London nightclub founded by James Palumbo, now Lord Palumbo of Southwark. It is among the world’s largest dance music recording businesses, with cumulative album sales in excess of 70 million, including 40 UK No. 1 albums and 21 UK No. 1 singles.
Ministry of Sound Recordings' label arm, led by David Dollimore, houses some of the industry’s most renowned executives, including highly respected A&R Director Dipesh Parmar and award-winning marketeer Nicola Spokes. Over the last ten years, the label has established an exciting roster of contemporary talent, successfully launching the careers of acts including Eric Prydz, Example and Wretch 32, as well as developing exciting new artists such as Jodie Abacus, Louis Berry, MIAMIGO and Moss Kena.
Sony Music and Ministry of Sound Recordings have enjoyed a burgeoning relationship in recent years. The label’s current roster of artists includes BRIT-nominated group London Grammar, whose debut album, If You Wait, sold more than 1.5 million copies globally, as well as DJ Fresh and Sigala. Sigala is licensed to Sony Music internationally and London Grammar is signed in North America through Columbia US.
The new partnership will allow Ministry of Sound Recordings to grow its recorded music offering on a truly global scale. The entire roster will now sit alongside many of the world’s most successful modern day artists including Robbie Williams, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Meghan Trainor, Olly Murs, Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams.
Ministry of Sound Recordings curation team, led by Naz Idelji, is responsible for approximately one in every six compilation albums sold in the UK, having developed numerous brands including The Annual, Dance Nation, Trance Nation and Clubbers’ Guide.
Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, stated: “This agreement underscores our ongoing commitment to investing in great artistry and hit music. On behalf of the entire Sony Music family, I’m excited to welcome the wonderful artists and talented team at Ministry of Sound Recordings to our line-up of world-class creative centers. I would like to send my congratulations to both Edgar and Jason.”
Lohan Presencer, Ministry of Sound group chief executive, said: “I’m delighted we have found the right home to grow Ministry of Sound Recordings at a global level while keeping its unique identity. Sony Music is a world-class company that understands our ethos of exceptional curation and developing young talent. Ministry of Sound Recordings had its most successful year to date in 2015. Sony has the scale and strength within the industry to project our artists and music onto an even bigger platform.”
Edgar Berger, chairman and CEO, international, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “Ministry’s success story is exceptional and the acquisition is an important milestone in our growth strategy. We welcome the opportunity to further internationalise the footprint of this legendary British independent record label.”
Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK, said: “Ministry of Sound is one of the greatest brands in music. I’m delighted to welcome one of the most innovative, smart and pioneering labels to the Sony Music family. David and Dipesh’s track record, alongside one of the best curation teams in the business, speaks for itself and the label will be another hugely exciting addition to Sony Music UK’s vision for the future.”
This is rather interesting, as MOS were one of the biggest indie's I can think of. Presumably this means that held back MOS releases will now be a thing of the past, as Sony don't hold anything back. Will also be interesting to see what happens to their successful compilations, or with MOS tracks appearing on compilations, maybe it will be easier to get the rights more quickly. Some of the UK MOS hits might find it easier to smash globally now too as they'll have a bigger promotional muscle behind them.
Posted by: JCM20 10th August 2016, 03:17 PM
This could be huge for dance acts in the UK, but conversely, it's just another prime example of big corporations getting rid of the competition (no matter how big or small) by just buying them up.
Posted by: TheSnake 10th August 2016, 03:52 PM
Well we need something to help relatively unknown UK dance acts get back in the charts again. The only UK dance acts in the chart this year seem to be the well known ones who have had hits before, with the exception of Jonas Blue.
Posted by: ankietarrr 10th August 2016, 05:59 PM
RIP Ministry of Sound
Posted by: ___∆___ 10th August 2016, 07:06 PM
Ministry have always thrived on being independent and really understanding the dance market and keeping their costs low by taking a chance on tracks they felt had potential then letting everyone discover them all summer and getting a massive single release out of it.
In fairness maybe Ministry are getting out at the right time and need to be associated with a major - The compilation market will come under immense pressure as streaming becomes more dominant, as we have seen many compilations cannot be streamed in full due to I presume the issuing label not having the rights. Also you can so easily create your own compilation on Spotify/Apple etc., so no need to spend £12.99!
Posted by: Ethan 10th August 2016, 07:11 PM
i’m saddened to see this once great institution, and legendary independent music label, being consumed by one of the soulless major label giants. it had been apparent for a while that Ministry of Sound were scaling back with the culling of their online radio enterprise and ever dwindling artist roster. it remains to be seen how much of the original character of the label will be retained in a global corporation which only has its eyes on the next set of profit forecasts~ 
mind due, the globalization of the music industry, driven through the streaming revolution, over the last year or so has been staggering. so it’s probably naïve to think a localized enterprise could compete long-term within the current climate~ 
on the plus side the last proponents of the antiquated 20th century held-back pre-order strategy have been neutralized~ 
Posted by: awardinary 10th August 2016, 08:35 PM
I own quite a few MOS compilations, they're pretty good all things considered.
Posted by: tommie 10th August 2016, 09:01 PM
Finally, they can reissue Lisa Scott-Lee's Lately.
Posted by: mdh 10th August 2016, 09:02 PM
FINALLY. Sigala can get a #1 
Posted by: ___∆___ 10th August 2016, 09:59 PM
That was released on Mercury Records - Her Ministry track was 'Get It On' with the Intenso Project! Sony definately need to give it a 2016 remake
Posted by: tommie 11th August 2016, 01:18 AM
Get It On was b-listed on Capital!
Posted by: ___∆___ 11th August 2016, 03:48 AM
I seriously love Lisa and her tragic career - She should have had more success 'Lately' and 'Too Far Gone' are still amazing pop songs.
Posted by: tommie 11th August 2016, 11:44 PM
Posted by: ___∆___ 12th August 2016, 12:01 AM
I just hope Sony realise the vintage back catalogue they are acquiring and have The Chainsmokers working on a 'B List at Capital' remix
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