Sony Music Entertainment Australia have signed a 'long term' joint venture record label deal with Wonderlick Entertainment's Directors Gregg Donovan and Stu MacQueen. The two parties will use the partnership to develop new artists for the local and international markets.
Artist management company Wonderlick is home to Boy & Bear, Josh Pyke and Grinspoon, amongst others, and the Sony deal is the latest expansion for the directors. Just a month ago, Donovan and MacQueen announced a publishing joint venture with EMI Music Publishing Australia, which gives them access to EMI's services worldwide.
Singer/songwriter Jackson McLaren and emerging pop act Max & Bianca, both part of the Wonderlick management roster, are the first signed to the label. Similarly, they - along with The Paper Kites - were the first names signed to the publishing arm.
Donovon has confirmed to theMusic.com.au the three entities all remain separate companies, with the deals giving Wonderlick access to established and proven platforms to expand their business. Given that Sony/ATV have recently acquired EMI's publishing arm, the two deals aren't dissimilar either.
"Gregg and I have been working towards creating the business model that we feel is right for the challenges of today's music industry," Macqueen said of the deal. "We already have the management and publishing arms and this exciting new label venture with Sony completes the picture for us."
Denis Handlin, Chairman & CEO, Australia & New Zealand and President Asia Sony Music Entertainment added, “The JV label with Stu and Gregg further builds on Sony Music's leadership and success in identifying and developing local talent. Gregg and Stu are among the most successful managers in the market today and we look forward to working with them to bring exciting new acts to the Australian market and beyond to continue to build Australia's music heritage.”
Donovan said, "We are looking forward to working closely with Denis and the team at Sony Music to build the recording careers of these talented artists and to create a powerful label roster in the coming months and years. We intend to be a progressive and artist friendly label”.
