NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Orchard) - The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD), a global leader in music and video entertainment, today announced a licensing pact with GMM Grammy, Thailand's biggest music and entertainment group. GMM Grammy commands a 70% market share of the Thai entertainment industry. The relationship will be managed day to day from The Orchard's New York headquarters and its newly launched Singapore office, which covers Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.
GMM Grammy has six record label groups that encompass roughly twenty imprints, produce over 200 albums annually, and feature major Thai recording artists, including Bird Thongchai McIntyre, China Dolls, Bodyslam and Loso. The deal, which covers exclusive digital distribution and marketing for the world excluding Asia, also encompasses broader forms of sale such as synchronization representation, consistent with The Orchard's role as a media services business and not simply a 'distributor'.
Commenting on the deal, Surachai Sensri, Managing Director of GMM Grammy International said, 'The Orchard is a global pioneer in digital music and media services. Accordingly, this agreement between GMM Grammy and The Orchard is an alliance of two gigantic entertainment enterprises, each impeccable in its own compass.'
'In many parts of the world, leading media companies exist profitably outside of the so-called 'major label' system as it is known to US and European businesses and customers and in Thailand, the dominant media enterprise is GMM Grammy,' said Greg Scholl, President and CEO of The Orchard. "We are proud that they have selected us as their global media services partner, and in doing so, helps The Orchard to extend a commanding reach into yet another vital geography.'
About GMM Grammy
GMM Grammy is a leading diversified entertainment company in Thailand with holdings in music, television production, radio broadcasting, and live event production. Its music operations include both record production and distribution (anchored by such labels as Genie Records, Grammy Gold, and More Music), as well as CD and DVD manufacturing services. GMM Grammy also produces television shows and movies, creates live concerts and other events, and operates four radio stations. Other operating subsidiaries include digital entertainment and publishing operations.
About The Orchard
The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD) controls and globally distributes more than 1.3 million songs and over 5,000 video titles through hundreds of digital stores (e.g. iTunes, eMusic, Google, Netflix, V CAST) and mobile carriers (e.g. Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Bell Canada, 3). With operations in 29 regions around the world, The Orchard drives sales for its label, retailer, brand, and agency clients through innovative marketing and promotional campaigns; brand entertainment programs; and film, advertising, gaming and television licensing. A pioneer in digital music and media services, The Orchard fosters creativity and independence.
