Virgin Music Explained

Virgin Music
Former Names:	Caroline Distribution (1983–2021) Virgin Music Label & Artist Services (2021–2022)
Founded:	1983
Defunct:	2023
Successor:	Virgin Music Group
Industry:	Music publishing
Hq Location Country:	United States

Virgin Music, known as Virgin Music Label & Artist Services until 2022 and originally as Caroline Distribution, was a music distributor of independent artists and record labels. Virgin Music operates as a subsidiary of Virgin Music Group, and is 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]

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”. 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]

External links

• Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Homepage

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021-07-14. Universal’s Virgin Music Label & Artist Services inks global distribution deal with Serbian hip-hop label Balkaton. 2021-10-30. Music Business Worldwide. en-US . Jack . Needham.
2. Web site: Webb . Max . Universal Music Group Launches Virgin Music Label and Artist Services . UMG . 29 June 2023 . 18 February 2021.
3. Web site: Christman . Ed . Universal Music to Acquire Distributor Ingrooves in Move to Strengthen Commitment to Indie Labels . Billboard . 29 June 2023 . 12 February 2019.
4. Web site: Introducing Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Virgin . Virgin.com . 29 June 2023 . en.
5. Web site: Rys . Dan . Virgin Music President Jacqueline Saturn on Navigating COVID, a Rebrand & the Distribution Craze . Billboard . 22 July 2023 . 3 March 2022.
6. Web site: Komminoth . Leo . 'We want Virgin Music Africa to be a showcase for African musical diversity' . African Business . 20 July 2023 . 29 June 2022.
7. Web site: Virgin Music launches in Africa . Virgin.com . 29 June 2023 . en.
8. Web site: Aswad . Jem . 2022-09-13 . Universal Launches Virgin Music Group, Including Virgin, Ingrooves and Newly Acquired Mtheory Artist Partnerships . 2022-09-19 . Variety . en-US.
9. Web site: Brooks . Dave . Sumerian Records Signs Distribution Deal With Virgin Music . Billboard . 20 July 2023 . 22 September 2022.
10. Web site: Schneider . Marc . Executive Turntable: Former Asylum Co-President Joins Hitmaker; Joel Klaiman Launches ASCEND4M . Billboard . 26 October 2023 . 1 September 2023.
11. Web site: Nigeria . Guardian . Ikazoboh appointed head as Virgin Music debuts in Nigeria . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 3 September 2023 . 1 September 2023.