New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Sony
Music Entertainment today announced it has acquired the Century group of labels, one of the world's largest independents.
A global leader in rock, prog rock, heavy metal, alternative, post punk and hardcore, Century, led by founder Robert Kampf, is home to artists such as Lacuna Coil, Arch Enemy, Queensryche, Kansas, Devin Townsend, Steve Hackett, and Stitched Up Heart.
Under the agreement, Kampf will serve as CEO of the Century Group and oversee its worldwide operations. Sony
Music will distribute releases from Century's labels - Century Media, Another Century, InsideOut, Superball, and People Like You - via RED Distribution in the U.S. and Sony
Music International around the world.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal enhances Sony Music's presence in the independent rock, prog and metal market, and provides Century Media with unified global distribution and greater resources to maximize promotion and marketing of Century artists across physical and digital channels worldwide. The expanded relationship builds upon Sony Music's existing successful distribution relationship with Century Media through RED.
Bob Morelli, President, RED Distribution said, "We are thrilled to be further strengthening our successful partnership with Robert Kampf and his great team through Sony Music's expanded global relationship with Century Media. Century is one of the best hard rock labels in the business and Robert is an accomplished executive who understands the genre like few others. We are excited to continue working with Century to grow the business for their talented roster of artists."
Adam Granite, Executive Vice President, International, Sony
Music Entertainment said, "Robert Kampf is an excellent rock executive and successful entrepreneur and I am thrilled he and his talented roster of artists will be joining the Sony
Music family. Together we have a tremendous opportunity to grow our respective hard rock and heavy metal businesses globally."
Robert Kampf, CEO, Century Group said, "The future of Century is incredibly bright. The company I founded over 25 years ago is moving into its strongest chapter yet with the best music company in the world, Sony Music. I am tremendously excited to work with the outstanding executive teams at Sony
Music and RED to further grow Century's labels as a dominant force in rock, prog, alternative and metal. The sky is the limit."
Founded by Robert Kampf in Dortmund, Germany in 1989, Century Media Records is recognized around the globe as a dominating force within their specialized market, and one of the world's premier labels for metal, hard rock and hardcore. Always at the forefront of emerging styles and scenes, Century Media gives bands rooted in the underground opportunities to grow their audiences through international touring, commercial radio play, and music placement in high-profile films, TV and commercials.
About Century Media
The Century Group delivers exciting, unique music and pushes the envelope of a myriad of musical expressions. It built its reputation and worldwide fan base through the extreme diversity of its roster. Century's mission was to have something for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, race or gender. It became a global sensation built from the underground up to eye-popping, Billboard charting successes. Its artists include the Italian female-fronted, hard rock force, LACUNA COIL, which is still hailed, 20 years after their inception, as one of the main innovators of their genre. Now in 2015, with artists including NEW YEARS DAY, THE BUTCHER BABIES and the New Zealand-based LIKE A STORM, one of the premiere heavy acts of their country, Century is introducing a whole new slew of exciting artists to the hard rock/metal world.
About Sony
Music Entertainment
Sony
Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Bazmark Records, Beach Street Records,
Black Butter Records, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Flying Buddha, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Freesolo Entertainment, Kemosabe Records, Latium Entertainment, Legacy Recordings, Louder Than Life, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, OKeh, Polo Grounds, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Relentless Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony
Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Vested in Culture and Volcano. Sony
Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
