A leading independent country label in Australia, WJO, has signed a distribution partnership with Universal Music in the territory.
WJO started six years ago as a distribution label in the back room of a record store. Co-owners Will Osland and Drew Doran. It quickly became a label able to handle physical, digital, publishing & licensing, marketing and rights management all in-house.
The label also represents mainstream artists including Suzi Quatro.
Co-owners Osland and Doran said: “‘We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in what seems like such a short amount of time. To have built what we have, completely independent, all in house, no middle men, on our own terms and with our own finances has been such an incredible experience, we now look forward to our next chapter with Universal Music Australia.
“We have admired the work ethic and on ground force of the Universal team for a long time and we believe all of us are bringing something really special to the table.”
“To have built what we have has been such an incredible experience. We look forward to our next chapter with Universal Music Australia.”
Will Osland and Drew Doran, WJO
Dave Parker, Senior Strategic Repertoire Manager, UMA adds: “Universal Music is thrilled to be partnering with WJO in this new phase of their business. We are excited to be welcoming WJO to the Universal family and delivering creative solutions and campaigns for their roster of artists.
“This relationship not only provides a wonderful platform for the release of WJO artists, but it secures Universal as the dominant country music company in Australia across both local and international rosters.”
WJO will release its first batch of brand new releases with Universal in June 2015.
Selected titles from WJO’s current roster will be transitioned over to Universal during the next 18 months while WJO phases out the distribution and warehouse side of its business.
Fully-owned by Doran and Osland, WJO boasts a roster currently sitting at just over 1,000 titles.Music Business Worldwide
