The Benelux region is to gain an important new joint venture: [PIAS] and Rough Trade Distribution B.V. will merge their sales & distribution activities in the region from January 1, 2014.
[PIAS] Rough Trade Distribution B.V. will become part of the [PIAS] Group, and will be based in the [PIAS] office in Amsterdam.
In Belgium and Luxemburg, the sales and distribution activities of the new joint venture will be handled by [PIAS] Belgium.
By combining the sales and distribution activities of Rough Trade Distribution B.V. and the [PIAS] Group’s operation in the Benelux, the new entity will become one of the biggest music distributors in Benelux.
The new sales & distribution company will be managed by Kees van Weijen and Paul Davies, the two managing partners of Rough Trade Distribution B.V. The duo took ownership of Rough Trade Distribution B.V. five years ago.
The company currently handles the sales and distribution of labels such as Armada, Dramatico, 8Ball, Metal Blade, Ministry Of Sound and artists including Armin van Buuren, Caro Emerald (pictured), Kinderen voor Kinderen, Kyteman, Sandra van Nieuwland, Katie Melua and Tiësto.
Leon Happé will continue to head [PIAS] Holland, the local label operation of the [PIAS] Group, which includes both the group’s international repertoire through its [PIAS] Recordings and [PIAS] Cooperative divisions, as well as [PIAS]’ local artist roster.
Edwin Schröter, Managing Director [PIAS] Group, said: “This alliance in the Benelux fits perfectly within our global vision and strategy of creating synergies and partnerships with strong, like-minded local independents. It enables us to build a strong and sustainable global independent network whilst also creating clearly defined, specialised and focused business divisions across the group. By doing so, we can continue to provide independent labels and artists the best and most dedicated marketing, sales and distribution services on both a local and a global basis, in a continuously more complex digital and physical market place.
Kees van Weijen, Managing Partner Rough Trade Distribution B.V” “In the current market place, as independents we aim for consolidation and strong partnerships. We now have the ideal combination of two leading sales & distribution parties which will provide expertise, creativity and commercial drive for our label and retail partners. We are very much looking forward to the start of this adventure with a new and very strong roster that is complementary”
Paul Davies, Managing Partner Rough Trade Distribution B.V: “As competitors you are often fishing in the same pond but we share the same spirit, values and passion. That became very clear in our initial conversations. On that basis, in a changing and continuously more challenging market, a partnership makes total sense. Together we now represent a roster of unmatched depth and size with a great mix of national and international repertoire. Needless to say that I can’t wait to start this new partnership”
Leon Happe, General Manager [PIAS] Nederland; “For me this is a logical step, a logical step into the future. I am incredibly excited about this new collaboration that will provide an even better service to our artists and labels. The opportunity that this creates for the label team here to fully focus on the development of our artist both internationally for our [PIAS] Recordings and Coop artists as well as our local artist roster will be extremely valuable.”Music Business Worldwide
