Sweden’s leading independent distributor Border Music has signed an agreement with [PIAS] to combine forces in Scandinavia.
The new joint venture will operate as [PIAS] Nordic and becomes part of the [PIAS] Group’s pan-European network of local offices and operations, which already includes: UK, France, Germany/Switzerland/Austria (GSA), Benelux, Ireland and Spain.
With an office in Gothenburg, Sweden, and through alliances with strategic partners in Denmark, Norway and Finland, [PIAS] Nordic will offer physical and digital distribution, plus marketing and promotion services in Scandinavia.
Shipments, stock control, statements, accounting and administration will be centralised for the Nordic region, whilst sales, marketing and promotion will all be handled on a territory-by-territory basis, with local expertise on the ground.
[PIAS] Nordic will be looking after labels already part of the [PIAS] Group label roster in Scandinavia such as Play It Again Sam (Agnes Obel, Editors, Seasick Steve), Wichita (First Aid Kit, The Cribs, Best Coast) and Infectious (Temper Trap, Local Natives). [PIAS] Nordic will also start sourcing local repertoire from the region.
[PIAS] Nordic will be powered by [PIAS]’s global digital distribution services, complemented with local digital sales and marketing resources within the Border office in Sweden.
Aside from Border in Sweden, [PIAS] Nordic will be using Target Distribution in Denmark, Supersounds in Finland and Indie Distribution in Norway, as the local distributors.
In addition, [PIAS] Nordic will be offering third party licensing and broadcasting rights collection services in the region.
Pelle Eriksson, General Manager of Border Music, will be overseeing the new venture as General Manager of [PIAS] Nordic.
Says Edwin Schroter (pictured), Managing Director [PIAS] Group: “Following a great year for us in Scandinavia, with a chart dominating album for Agnes Obel in Denmark, and the recent No. 1 album for First Aid Kit in Sweden, it felt like a logical step to start looking at our set-up in the Nordic region more seriously. Digital there is booming and setting the pace for other European territories.
“We strongly believe that the only way to develop artists and labels across Europe is to provide specialist and local language promotion, marketing and sales services, in every territory. However, with the challenges of the physical market, we needed to find a centralised solution for the Nordic region, whilst keeping that local expertise on the ground, and Border is perfectly set-up to provide this.
“More importantly though, they have an amazing team of experienced and passionate people. With both of our companies having been in business now for 30 years, it feels like a perfect match, and I actually can’t believe it took us so long to figure it out!”
Says Pelle Eriksson, General Manager for Border Music and [PIAS] Nordic: “I am very excited to be able to work even closer with [PIAS] and help build a new chapter of what already is a long and proud history for both our companies.
“The scale of the [PIAS] Group across Europe and our local expertise in the region should provide labels with an unbeatable level of service and security in what is a very challenging, but extremely exciting marketplace for independent artists and labels right now.”Music Business Worldwide
