Virgin Music

Virgin Music, known as Virgin Music Label & Artist Services until 2022 and originally as Caroline Distribution, is a music distributor of independent artists and record labels. Virgin Music operates as a subsidiary of Virgin Music Group, and its owned by Universal Music Group. The company focuses on the distribution of new or emerging partners.[1] Virgin Music has its operation in United States, with its flagship operating in Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and across Latin America.[2]

Not to be confused with Virgin Records or Virgin Music Group. For the Japanese record label of the same name, see Universal Music Japan.

Virgin Music
FormerlyCaroline Distribution (1983–2021)
Virgin Music Label & Artist Services (2021–2022)
IndustryMusic publishing
GenreVarious
Founded1983
Headquarters
United States
ParentVirgin Music Group
Subsidiaries
Websitevirginmusic.com

History

In 1983, Caroline Distribution was established by Richard Branson & Virgin Records. In 2019, Universal Music Group acquired the digital music and network company INgrooves (including the independent label distributor Fontana Distribution).[3]

According to Billboard reporter Ed Christman; “Between Caroline and Ingrooves, UMG’s indie owned distributors will have a combine market share of about 4.4 percent Billboard estimates, based on year-end numbers”.[3] On 18 February 2021, Universal Music Group announced Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a new global network to deliver premium and flexible artist and label services.[4]

Following its launch, Universal Music Group retained Caroline Distribution president Jacqueline Saturn, to head Virgin Music label and artist services division of Virgin Music Group.[5] On 15 June 2022, Virgin Music launched its flagship in Africa, under the leadership of Franck Kacou, the current general manager, who serves as the managing director of Universal Music Africa as Virgin Music Africa.[6][7] In September 2022, Universal Music Group announced the launch of Virgin Music Group.[8] Following its launch, its Label & Artist Services began operating as Virgin Music. On 22 September 2022, Sumerian Records signed a distribution deal with Virgin Music.[9]

On 1 September 2023, Virgin Music Group established Virgin Music Nigeria, and named Olukorede “Kay” Ikazoboh, founder of Kimani Moore Entertainment,[10] head of Virgin Music operations in the Nigeria market.[11]

Labels

List of labels owned by Virgin Music Label & Artist Services:

  • PIAS Group (49%)
  • Virgin Music Africa
  • Virgin Music Argentina
  • Virgin Music Australia
  • Virgin Music Benelux
  • Virgin Music Brasil
  • Virgin Music Chile
  • Virgin Music France
  • Virgin Music Germany
  • Virgin Music Italy
  • Virgin Music Japan
  • Virgin Music Latin US
  • Virgin Music Mexico
  • Virgin Music Nigeria
  • Virgin Music Nordics
  • Virgin Music Norway
  • Virgin Music Spain
  • Virgin Music Sweden
  • Virgin Music UK
  • Virgin Music US
  • V2 Records

Presidents

Artists

Artists signed to Virgin Label & Artist Services:

References
  1. Needham, Jack (July 14, 2021). "Universal's Virgin Music Label & Artist Services inks global distribution deal with Serbian hip-hop label Balkaton". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  2. Webb, Max (February 18, 2021). "Universal Music Group Launches Virgin Music Label and Artist Services". UMG. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  3. Christman, Ed (February 12, 2019). "Universal Music to Acquire Distributor Ingrooves in Move to Strengthen Commitment to Indie Labels". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  4. "Introducing Virgin Music Label & Artist Services | Virgin". Virgin.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  5. Rys, Dan (March 3, 2022). "Virgin Music President Jacqueline Saturn on Navigating COVID, a Rebrand & the Distribution Craze". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  6. Komminoth, Leo (June 29, 2022). "'We want Virgin Music Africa to be a showcase for African musical diversity'". African Business. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  7. "Virgin Music launches in Africa". Virgin.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  8. Aswad, Jem (September 13, 2022). "Universal Launches Virgin Music Group, Including Virgin, Ingrooves and Newly Acquired Mtheory Artist Partnerships". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  9. Brooks, Dave (September 22, 2022). "Sumerian Records Signs Distribution Deal With Virgin Music". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  10. Schneider, Marc (September 1, 2023). "Executive Turntable: Former Asylum Co-President Joins Hitmaker; Joel Klaiman Launches ASCEND4M". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  11. Nigeria, Guardian (September 1, 2023). "Ikazoboh appointed head as Virgin Music debuts in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  12. Lipshutz, Jason (January 28, 2022). "Why Lauv, One of Pop's Premier Songwriters, Had to Upend His Creative Process For His New Album". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  13. "REMA". virgin music. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  14. Malt, Andy. "X Ambassadors sign to Virgin Music". Complete Music Update. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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