Sony Music, News Corp. ink pan-Asian licensing deal

Asian Economic News, Dec 25, 2000

HONG KONG, Dec. 18 Kyodo

News Corp. Music Group said Monday it has signed licensing agreements with Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Music Asia to form a unified pan-Asian presence.

The relationship with the two units of Japan's Sony Corp. means News Corp. Music Group now is present in every major music market outside the United States, the company said in a statement.

News Corp. Music Group is part of Australia's News Corp.

''We're excited that Sony Music, the unequivocal music industry leader in Japan and Asia, has embraced our artists and repertoire. We look forward to embracing the opportunities presented by our partnership with Sony Music,'' said James Murdoch, News Corp.'s executive vice president.

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) President Shiro Ono said his company looks forward to marketing the artists represented by News Corp. Music Group in Japan under a mutually beneficial deal.

Richard Denekamp, president of Sony Music Asia, said his firm will support News Corp. Music Group with its marketing muscle and promotional platforms across the Asian and Pacific Rim regions to create a ''seamless and pervasive presence'' for their projects.

The News Corp. Music Group labels included in the agreements are Australia's Festival Mushroom Records, which covers the Sputnik label; and Mushroom Records U.K., which includes Infectious Records and Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto label.

Artists covered include Garbage, Ash, Muse, 28 Days, Elevator Suite and Gerling.