Warner’s Parlophone Records and Atlas Artists ink joint venture

Warner Music Group’s Parlophone Records and UK-based Atlas Artists, a management company and label, have entered into a new joint venture.

Under the partnership, Atlas Artists will continue to handle the A&R responsibilities for their artists while Parlophone will take the lead on marketing strategies and distribution.

The inaugural Atlas acts to work with Parlophone as part of the arrangement are KAM-BU, New Familiar and Rachel Chinouriri.

Atlas Artists was founded by Duncan Ellis in 2014 having previously set up Scruffy Bird Mgmt which he ran for 13 years looking after the likes of Foals (Transgressive/Warner Records), Everything Everything (Geffen/RCA), Lianne La Havas (Warner Records), Kodaline (RCA), The Rumble Strips (Island) and The Young Knives (Transgressive/Warner Records).

Together with Ben Smallwood, Atlas Artists now works with British talent including 2020’s BRIT Rising Star award winner, Celeste.

Parlophone Records, home to artists such as Ashnikko, Coldplay, Jay1, Kano and Tones & I, has been under the joint leadership of Burgess and Mitchell since early 2019.

Today’s announcement is the latest strategic partnership by the label, which already has relationships with Disturbing London, GRM Daily and Elektra Records.

“Atlas has a proven ability to identify and develop some of the UK’s most unique and fascinating talent.”

Mark Mitchell and Nick Burgess, Parlophone Records

Mark Mitchell and Nick Burgess, Co-Presidents, Parlophone Records, said: “Atlas has a proven ability to identify and develop some of the UK’s most unique and fascinating talent.

“Duncan and Ben’s outlook and company culture is very similar to ours and that was important to us.

“Parlophone is, and always will be, artist focused and through this partnership we can supercharge their incredible roster on a global stage. We are very proud to welcome them into the Parlophone family.”

“Parlophone feels like a natural and perfect partner for us.”

Duncan Ellis and Ben Smallwood

Duncan Ellis, founder and owner of Atlas Artists and Ben Smallwood, Partner, added: “Parlophone feels like a natural and perfect partner for us.

“We’re incredibly proud of the company we’ve built so far and by tapping into Parlophone’s expertise and global footprint, the potential for our artists is limitless.”

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