MUMBAI: Global music label Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired Russian Gala Records Group, the country’s first privately owned record label.
Launched in 1988, Gala Records’ business verticals include distribution, publishing, live production and artist representation along with its recorded music operations.
Led by CEO Alexander Blinov, Gala has worked with noted Russian artists including Alla Pugacheva, Irina Allegrova, Nikolai Baskov, Masha Rasputina, Larissa Dolina, Angelika Varum, Igor Sarukhanov, Naik Borzov, Laima Vaikule, Oleg Gazmanov, Igor Nikolaev, as well as groups such as A-Studio, Sektor Gaza, CarMan, Samocvety, Strelki, and many more.
Gala’s distribution arm, Music Ltd, the distributor for all Gala’s products, works with a large number of independent international labels including !K7, Harmonia Mundi, Kontor and Fat Cat Records. For almost 20 years Gala has represented EMI’s international catalogue in Russia and the CIS.
Gala was in the news last year when it won a copyright case against Russia’s largest social networking business VKontakte for making its content available without permission. The court ordered VKontakte to pay roughly $17,000 in damages.
Gala’s acquisition, which was announced by WMG on 17June, is the group’s first fully owned in Russia.
“We are delighted to welcome Gala to the Warner Music family. Russia represents a significant opportunity and, with Gala spearheading our operations there, we will be well positioned for growth in this vibrant and dynamic market,” wrote WMG CEO Stephen Cooper in a statement.
“We are joining one of the most experienced and professional teams in the music industry and one that shares our passion and love for music. WMG’s expertise and involvement is extremely valuable for the developing Russian music market, and will strengthen our efforts to foster its growth,” Blinov said.
Warner Music Group was acquired by Russian mogul Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries in 2011 for roughly $3.3 billion, marking the company’s first foray into the music business.