SYDNEY, July 30, 2008 � Acclaimed Australian independent label, Eleven: a music company, and the Universal Music Group, the world�s leading music company, proclaimed today that they take entered into a new joint venture.�The two companies will partner equally in releasing recordings by preeminent Australian artists, including Missy Higgins, Kisschasy, Little Birdy, Paul Mac and Silverchair.
The agreement will continue to provide these artists with full ascendence over the creation of their music.�Marketing will be brought in house at Eleven, and promotion will be outsourced.�Universal Music Australia will provide funding, statistical distribution, back power services and strategic oversight.�This new poser will allow Eleven�s artists to aggregate the exemption and flexibility of an independent career with the �muscle� of a major label.
�Everyone at Eleven is very emotional to be entering into this partnership,� aforesaid label President, John Watson. "We share Universal's belief that transformative times like these demand new shipway of doing business.�This newfangled structure will allow our artists to make the music they want to make and to get it heard as widely as possible over the years ahead.�
George Ash, Managing Director, Universal Music Australia, commented:��John Watson, Melissa Chenery, the squad at Eleven, and their amazing artists are at the head of success and creative thinking, and the Universal Music family is honoured to be partnering with them as we work towards an exciting new future.�Our bond is based upon a heat for artists and connecting them with their fans in a fast changing music world.�Eleven are the leaders, the innovators and the dead on target home for artists.�We couldn�t be more than excited.�
John Watson Management, which counts well-nigh of the Eleven roster as clients, will go forward to operate as a completely independent entity for its current roster.�Future signings will be made to a new management company in partnership with Universal Music.�In each case, the new structure will provide JWM/Eleven artists to more than closely aggregate the exposure of their recordings and touring.
�In this cluttered media environment, we believe that artists need to aggregate their finite marketing and promotional resources,� aforementioned John Watson.��Instead of the traditional approach of having one grouping of people trying to sell �CDs� while others try to sell �concert tickets�, artists need to be in the broader business of building abiding relationships with their audiences in all the different forms that may take.�Universal Music truly understands all this, so our new deal testament allow us to integrate those processes much more than seamlessly.�
Max Hole, Executive Vice President, Universal Music Group International, and President, Asia-Pacific Region, said, �John Watson has an enviable track record for finding and developing capital talent.�This partnership with Eleven promises a new way of connecting those artists and their music to the widest possible audiences.�We can�t hold off to contract started.�
The Universal Music joint venture brings to an end Eleven's remarkably successful association with Virgin/EMI Music Australia.�During that time, Eleven's artists sold over 2 million albums and standard 21 ARIA Awards.
�On behalf of ourselves and our artists, I want to sincerely give thanks EMI Australia�s past and present stave for all their grand and consecrated work,� said John Watson.��While we�ll miss our friends thither, we trust that this new venture with Universal Music volition definitely provide the topper strategic fit for us over the years ahead.�We are very excited to be starting this newfangled chapter in partnership with George Ash and his team.�
The new distribution arrangements for Eleven will direct effect from September 1.�Existing global licensing arrangements for Eleven artists are unaltered.
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