Thursday, 19^th April 2012, London/Gothenburg – [PIAS] Entertainment Group and Border Music, Sweden’s leading independent distributor, today announced an agreement to combine forces in Scandinavia through a new joint venture which will operate as [PIAS] Nordic.

The new company will officially be launched on the 1^st May 2012 and become 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 and local resources in Denmark, Norway and Finland, [PIAS] Nordic will offer a one-stop solution for independent labels and artists looking for physical and digital distribution, and 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) together with a number of other UK and US labels already distributed by [PIAS] and Border, and potential new labels looking for a distribution partner in the region. [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 to physical and digital sales and distribution, and marketing and promotion services, [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, 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.”

• New Hire Sees Muncey Heading A&R, Budgets, Administration and Branding 

London, 29th March 2012: – [PIAS] Entertainment Group has recruited Geoff Muncey as General Manager of [PIAS] Recordings, from Fabric Recordings.

Muncey will start the new role Monday, 26^th March, and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the recordings division in the UK, to include A&R, budgets, administration and branding – for both the Play It Again Sam and Different labels.

Muncey’s experience includes running Fabric Recordings for over a decade, where he managed all the requirements of an independent label around the world.

As General Manager of [PIAS] Recordings, Muncey will be overseeing a period of rapid growth and investment in the recordings division of [PIAS] and be charged with managing a cohesive strategy in regards to the development of both the labels and their artists.

Peter Thompson, Managing Director [PIAS] UK, said: “I’ve known Geoff for a long time thanks to our relationship with Fabric and it’s fantastic that he has agreed to join [PIAS] as we develop the label side of our activities. It’s an exciting time at [PIAS] as we continue to grow the label roster and this appointment, along with a number of soon-to-be-announced signings, emphasises our commitment and ambition towards the artists we are proud to work with.”

About [PIAS]

[PIAS] is Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include [PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film company Twin Pics.

• [PIAS] to handle sales and distribution for Hopeless Records in the UK & Ireland
• Hopeless Records ranks in world’s Top 20 record labels for sales

London, 15^th March 2012 – Today [PIAS] announces the signing of Hopeless Records, seeing [PIAS] assume responsibility for the sales and distribution of the California record label in the UK & Ireland.

Hopeless Records, located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California was started in 1993 by Louis Posen, and the label’s artists are in the genre of punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, alternative rock and metal. Artists signed to the label include: Yellowcard, The Used, We Are The In Crowd, Silverstein, The Wonder Years, There For Tomorrow, Enter Shikari (North America), Anarbor, The Dangerous Summer, and many more. Throughout the 18 year history of the label, Hopeless has released over 200 albums and launched the careers of such artist as Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low and Thrice. The label is consistently in the Top 20 record labels in the world by sales and last year celebrated 9 of their 11 releases charting in the Billboard Top 200.

Known for its charitable side, the Hopeless Records Sub City arm of the label hosts an annual benefit tour called the Take Action Tour, which produces a compilation album Take Action! To date, the effort has raised more than $2 million for more than 50 non-profit organizations. Sub City was recently recognized for its humanitarian work by the 110th U.S. Congress, the California Senate, the Los Angeles City Council, the National Association of Retail Merchandisers (NARM), Billboard magazine, Alternative Press and the Los Angeles Times, amongst many others.

Nav Sidhu, UK representative for Hopeless Records, said:  ”We’re excited to be working with PIAS in the UK, they have a successful history of working with great labels, and It’s the perfect home for Hopeless Records.”

Craig Caukill, Head of Label Management at PIAS UK adds “Hopeless are a very exciting proposition for PIAS , they arrive with a great catalogue, a new album from The Used (Mar 26) & we pick-up the reins with on-going priority act We Are The In Crowd.”

About [PIAS]

[PIAS] is Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include [PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film company Twin Pics.

About Hopeless Records

Founded in 1993, Hopeless Records is a Southern California independent record label home to Yellowcard, The Used, We Are The In Crowd, Silverstein, The Wonder Years, There For Tomorrow, Enter Shikari (North America), Anarbor, The Dangerous Summer, and many more. Throughout the 18 year history of the label, Hopeless has released over 200 albums and launched the careers of such artist as Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low and Thrice.

The label is consistently in the Top 20 record labels in the world by sales and last year  celebrated 9 of their 11 releases charting in the Billboard Top 200. The labels charitable arm, Sub City which connects bands, fans and causes they are passionate about recently surpassed raising over 2 million dollars for over  50 non-profit organizations.

• Digital Soundboy, headed-up by mercurial producer Shy FX& leading electronic luminaries Tri Angle Records get on board

London, 2 February 2012:-Blasting off into the New Year, [PIAS] announce the signing of two leading independent labels – Digital Soundboy, headed by legendary producer & artist Shy FX, and New York & London-based electronic luminaries Tri Angle Records.

The labels have each signed pan-European sales and distribution deals, with a view to expand to fuller label services in the future.

[PIAS] plans to ignite significant growth for both labels throughout 2012, backing them with the systems and resources they need to be taken to the next level of success.

Digital Soundboy Recordings was set up in 2005 by the legendary Shy FX. Shy’s vision for Digital Soundboy is simple. “I wanted to set up a new platform for good music, not genre specific. A good label doesn’t need to be about one artist or sound. For us its simply all about the music.” Since then the label has gone from strength to strength releasing countless classics from the likes of Breakage, Skream, Benga, DJ Fresh, Caspa, Redlight, Rusko, Donae’o, Shy FX himself and many more.

With many more releases signed and scheduled for the coming months including material from Youngman, Shy FX, Breakage, B.Traits, & Skream, Digital Soundboy continues to grown and progress, whilst maintaining its original ethos of good quality bass music. Shy goes goes on to say “We’re delighted to now be with [PIAS] and look forward to releasing more exciting music in the future”Next release: Die & Break ‘Grand Funk Hustle’ EP.

Founded by Robin Carolan in 2009, Tri Angle has found itself at the head of a new vanguard of independent electronic music labels. Last year the label topped Billboard magazine’s ‘Top Independent Labels’ feature & they were also named as Bleep.com’s ‘Label Of The Year’. 2012 should see releases from key artists Clams Casino&Holy Other as well as several new signings.

Said Robin “Since starting Tri Angle I’ve been overwhelmed by the reception we’ve received. I’m confident that working with [PIAS] will mean we’ll be able to keep the momentum going and Tri Angle will be able to give its artists the platform they deserve.”

Commented Craig Caukill, Head of Label Management for [PIAS]: “After several months of conversations with TriAngle and Digital Soundboy we are thrilled to see these two exciting labels join the [PIAS] portfolio.

“Digital Soundboy has a proven record of supporting & developing emerging talent from a variety of genres and Tri Angle have established themselves as a serious proposition within a short period of time.  Both labels have fantastic A&R instincts & vision which we look forward to projecting further across the UK and Europe.”

About [PIAS]

[PIAS] is Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include[PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film companyTwin Pics.

New O2 Academy App Breaks Ground with ‘Artist Reality’

O2 creates first ever comprehensive artists ‘experience’ map of the UK

5th September 2011: - O2 today announced the launch of an innovative new mobile app in support of Academy Music Group’s O2 Academy venues and Live Nation’s O2 Apollo Manchester.  In addition to exclusive content from artists playing at the venues, access to Priority tickets, photos, comments and social integration with Facebook and Twitter, the free O2 Academy App also contains a unique Augmented Reality feature.   Dubbed ‘Artist Reality’, the feature gives fans the opportunity to view the UK through the eyes of hundreds of their favourite bands.

The development of the O2 Academy app began when O2 invited artists to populate a map of the UK with their own personal experiences – from on-the-road video diaries to audio tours of their home town and virtual busking. The interactive map enables artists to hide tickets to shows in secret locations, give clues to win exclusive prizes and even place geo-located unreleased tracks for fans to discover.

Once activated within the O2 Academy App, users simply hold up their phone and look through the viewfinder to see virtual markers representing specific geographical locations e.g. O2 Academy Bristol, or an artist’s hometown. They can then click on the location to listen to audio, and view video, images and links all personally created by the artists performing at O2 Academy venues.

The O2 Academy app follows the recent launch of O2 Academy TV, a dedicated YouTube channel, and represents the next step in O2’s music sponsorship strategy.  Working together with artists O2 aims to use innovative technology to further extend the music experience to benefit both artists and fans.  Over the last 18 months, O2 has worked with over 400 artists to enable greater engagement with fans and add new dimensions to gig goers’ experiences at O2 Academy venues.

The first artists laying down their footprint include MOBO award winning hip-hop trio N-Dubz, Charlie Simpson as he embarks on his solo career, Cardiff rockers Kids in Glass Houses and folk-punk legend Frank Turner. These will be quickly followed by a host of other ‘explorers’ from just some of the thousands of acts who pass through O2 Academy venues every year. Hundreds of leading artists are expected to sign up over the next 12 months creating an evolving musical map of the UK populated with unique content.

Jasmine Skee, Head of Music Sponsorship, O2, said: “The new O2 Academy app is yet another way that we are extending the gig experience, not just for O2 customers, but fans of live music and O2 Academy venues. We understand the importance of technology in music, and the role that mobile plays in people’s lives, so this app gives everyone 24/7 access to the venues and a unique opportunity to get up close to some of the artists playing them.”

Commenting on the app, Simon Lewis, President of Marketing Partnerships International at Live Nation Entertainment said: “As fast as mobile technology evolves, the more live music fans will enjoy an ever advancing array of meaningful experience enhancements beyond the show itself giving artists and fans even deeper interaction. Through our ongoing relationship with O2, the Live Nation and Academy venue attendees will always be at the forefront of fan led innovation.”

The O2 Academy app has been developed in conjunction with [PIAS] Media, who previously worked with O2 on the Gorillaz Augmented Reality app, ‘Escape to Plastic Beach’.

The free O2 Academy App is available to download now from the Apple App Store.

-Ends-

[PIAS] Media Press Office

Hugo Mintz – Name PR

hugo@namepr.co.uk

020 83577305

O2 Press

t +44 (0)1753565656

e: pressoffice@o2.com

About [PIAS] Media
[PIAS] Media operates at the nexus of brands, talent and technology – redefining how brands work with music to provide a value exchange that works for both parties.

It was formed in 2010 as a stand alone business unit within the wider [PIAS] Entertainment Group, Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy.

Working at the heart of the music industry gives [PIAS] Media an unrivalled insight into creating fulfilling artist partnerships, meanwhile the agency’s strong links across the business, and repertoire-agnostic stance ensures that strong creative ideas are mixed with great technology, delivering the right artist for each campaign.

Clients include The O2 and The O2 Academy venues, Vedett and Duvel beers, clothing brand Comptoir des Cotonniers, Philips, Kelkoo and Raymond Weil as well as a host of music clients.

About O2
·       Telefónica UK Limited is a leading communications company for consumers and businesses in the UK, with 22.3 million mobile customers and over 700,000 fixed broadband customers, as at 31 March 2011.
·       Telefónica UK Limited is part of Telefónica Europe plc, a business division of Telefónica S.A. which uses O2 as its commercial brand in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic, and has 56.9 million customers across these markets.

·       O2 is the naming rights partner of The O2, the world-class entertainment venue.

·       O2 employs around 11,000 people in the UK and has 450 retail stores.

·       In October 2010 O2 was voted the UK’s best mobile network by the readers of both What Mobile and Mobile Choice magazine.

·       O2 was ranked highest in customer satisfaction for both UK mobile and fixed broadband customers according to the J.D. Power and Associates UK Mobile and Fixed Broadband Studies 2010.

·       O2’s UK 2G mobile network provides voice and data services which are available to 99% of the UK’s population.

·       O2’s UK 3G (HSPA+ 900 / 2100 MHz) network currently provides voice and high speed data services of up to 14.4Mbps (21Mbps in the coming months) which are available to over 84% of the UK population.

·       O2 was the first UK operator to deploy a 4G/LTE trial network which has demonstrated peak speeds of over 100Mbps to a mobile device.

·       Telefónica Europe also owns 50% of Tesco Mobile, which operates in the UK and Ireland, and 50% of Tchibo Mobilfunk in Germany.

·       For further press information about O2 go to www.o2.co.uk/news

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment is the world’s leading live entertainment and eCommerce company, comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Front Line Management Group and Live Nation Network.  Ticketmaster.com is the global event ticketing leader and one of the world’s top five eCommerce sites, with over 26 million monthly unique visitors.  Live Nation Concerts produces over 20,000 shows annually for more than 2,000 artists globally.  Front Line is the world’s top artist management company, representing over 250 artists.  These businesses power Live Nation Network, the leading provider of entertainment marketing solutions, enabling over 800 advertisers to tap into the 200 million consumers Live Nation delivers annually through its live event and digital platforms. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.

About Academy Music Group
Academy Music Group (AMG), whose shareholders include Live Nation Entertainment / Gaiety, SJM Concerts and Metropolis Music, is the UK’s leading owner and operator of multi-award winning, nationwide O2 Academy venues in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Brixton (London), Glasgow, Islington (London), Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Oxford, Sheffield as well as O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (London). AMG is also a majority shareholder in O2 ABC Glasgow and has successful management agreements with Students’ Union venues in Hertfordshire, Bournemouth and Liverpool.

• Bloc Party’s Kele, Mariachi El Bronx, Peggy Sue and Los Campesinos among 2011’s releases

Europe’s leading independent music company [PIAS] has signed a deal with Wichita Recordings for the world excluding North America.

In the UK, Wichita will be handled by [PIAS] UK’s sales & distribution division, with an option for projects to be upstreamed and supported by the Global Project Management (GPM) team, which coordinates a raft of marketing services on a multi-territorial basis. Outside of the UK, the label’s upcoming releases will be marketed and promoted by [PIAS]’ international network of local offices and affiliates.

Wichita is one of the best known independent labels in the UK. The label was founded in 2000 by Dick Green, who before starting Wichita ran Creation Records together with Alan McGee, and Mark Bowen. Over the years Wichita has signed artists such as Bloc Party, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Simian Mobile Disco, The Cribs, Best Coast and many others

The first Wichita releases through [PIAS] will be the new albums by Mariachi El Bronx and Peggy Sue both scheduled for the 12^th of September followed later in the year by albums from Wild Flag, Los Campesinos and Spectrals and an EP by Bloc Party’s Kele. 2012 will see new albums from First Aid Kit, The Cribs and Simian Mobile Disco.

Edwin Schroter, [PIAS] Group Managing Director says “We are delighted to be working together with Mark and Dick and the many great artists they represent. I am sure that with their world-class roster and our broad range of services that they can tap into both in the UK and internationally, we can add another chapter to the already impressive Wichita success story”

Wichita comments, “[PIAS]‘ enthusiasm and commitment to the independent sector has always impressed us and we are very excited to start this new relationship.  From the outset Wichita has been committed to developing acts internationally as well as domestically and the [PIAS] set up will allow us to pursue these objectives across both our established artists and some exciting new signings.”

About [PIAS] Global Project Management

[PIAS] GPM is an artist focused solution that centrally co-ordinates, manages and drives the success of projects on a multi-territorial basis. GPM brings together the group’s existing range of in-house services on a multi-territorial basis; this includes traditional, digital & mobile marketing, sync, brand affinity and D2C e-commerce solutions.  GPM is supported by significant investment into IT, finance and administrative systems that enable project managers and artists to have clear sight of developing campaigns. Based in London, UK, [PIAS] Global Project Management represents the benchmark for tailored, continuous and artist centered services.

About [PIAS]

[PIAS] is Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include[PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film companyTwin Pics.

• Sony DADC to handle bulk orders
• Proper Music Distribution to handle specialist and catalogue
• Deliveries begin to both today, with business commencing from Monday
• Charlie Simpson top ten album expected Sunday

18^th August 2011: – After eight long days and nights of graft following the destruction of the Sony DADC Warehouse, [PIAS] have finalised a watertight logistics plan to ensure the broad depth of independent new and catalogue releases will continue to be distributed across the retail spectrum – from HMV to Honest Jon’s, Amazon to Asda.

Sony has established a new distribution centre based in Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire, which will be fully functional as of Monday 22^nd August. In order to ease the burden on this new facility, [PIAS] has arranged for a new partner, Proper Music Distribution, to fulfil certain important areas of the business.

The following areas will provisionally be fulfilled by each respective partner:

Sony DADC

• All supermarket business
• HMV bulk orders (new releases, charts and in-store campaigns)
• International shipments
• Wholesalers

Proper

• All Independent retailers
• All Amazon and Play business
• HMV catalogue orders

There are a few other retailers that will be allocated to one of the two distribution partners in the coming days, which [PIAS] will finalise once they get a feel for the capabilities of the new Sony DADC logistics centre.

At the appropriate point in the future the majority of retailers will revert back to being serviced by Sony DADC, however [PIAS] envisages the independent retailers will remain with Proper for the foreseeable future.

The blaze at the Enfield warehouse last week destroyed 3.25 million CDs, vinyl releases and rare boxed sets from thousands of artists and had the potential to cripple many of the 150-plus labels (list below) whose stock was distributed by [PIAS] and stored at the facility.

The [PIAS] team worked diligently and rigorously towards a swift resolution of the situation, with many senior staff cutting short or cancelling their summer holidays.

Despite all stock being destroyed, [PIAS] were able to ensure Charlie Simpson’s debut solo album Young Pilgrim was in stores on the planned release date of Monday August 15, to land a likely top ten in this Sunday’s forthcoming chart.

Said Peter Thompson, MD [PIAS] UK “I am overjoyed to have this solution in place so soon after the fire at the Sony DADC warehouse which destroyed the stock of all our labels. Sony DADC have been amazing in getting things up and running so fast, and have excelled in their actions and flexibility in supporting our teams in looking after the needs of our labels.

“Proper have been extremely accommodating and with their help we now also have the best possible solution for supplying a depth of catalogue to the spectrum of independent retailers.”

Commented Kenny Gates Founder & CEO, [PIAS] “‘I am happy we have found a solution to resume selling physical stock from our recording artists and our labels. The way this has been dealt with by all involved, the support from everyone around us and the shared determination to come out of this stronger is exceptional and truly inspiring.

I want to thank everyone who has been showing genuine support in the last few days and the [PIAS] UK staff who have been admirable in their swift actions. We can now fully focus on supporting our labels beyond resolving the immediate logistical issues and ensure we all come out of this stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

Added Steve Kersley MD, Proper Music Distribution  “All of us in distribution looked on in horror at the destruction of Sony DADC and everyone would have considered the consequences on their own business. In these circumstances it’s easy to offer to help in any way we can and we are fortunate that we can lend a hand. We wish Sony DADC the best with their new setup and in the meantime are happy to do what we can. [PIAS] is a great company that is the standard bearer for independent music in the UK and beyond and we’re privileged to be helping them.”

[PIAS] set up an emergency fund last week in association with AIM and the BPI to assist labels with cashflow problems in the wake of the fire, with an initial available fund of £350,000.

[PIAS] AIM BPI EMERGENCY FUND BANK DETAILS

Account Number: 07699611

Sort Code – 18 00 02 – Add any special references
Swift code – coutgb22
Iban – GB91COUT 18000207699611

 [PIAS] Distributed Labels

[PIAS] Recordings, 4AD, A Camp, Absynthe Minded, Accidental, AEI Music, Air Recordings, ALC Music, Alsation, Ambush Reality, Ancient & Modern, Angular Recording Corporation, Arcady Records, Ark Recordings, Asthmatic Kitty Records, Atlantic Jaxx Recordings, Bad Magic, Balling The Jack, Banquet Records, Battered Ornaments Records, Beggars Banquet, Best Before, Big Brother, Big Dada, Bird Records, Blackmaps, Bloody Chamber, Blowout Music, Blue Chopsticks, Border Community, Borstal Beats, Boysnoize Records, BPM, Brainfeeder, Brassland, Bright Star Recordings, Brille, Broken Sound Music, Bronzerat, Brothers and Sisters, Brownswood Recordings, Buzzin’ Fly, Cache Cache, Cadenza Records, Celluloid Records, Chalkmark / IE, Chemikal Underground Records, Cocoon, Control Tower, Counter Records, Dance To The Radio, Dead Oceans, Deceptive, Defenders, Ent UK, DESOLAT, Dessous, Different, Dirtee Stank, Divine Comedy Records, Domino Records, Double Six Records, Drag City, Dreambrother, Drive Thru Records, Drowned In Sound, Dummy Records, Duophonic, Eat Sleep Records, Fabric Worldwide, Fake Diamonds, FantasyTrashcan, Fatcat Records, Fence, Feraltone, Finders Keepers Records, Flock Music, Flying Circus, Freerange Records, Friends Vs Records, Full Pupp, Full Time Hobby, Gang Of Four Recordings, Geographic, Ghost Ship, Glaze Recordings, Groenland Records, G-Unit, Hardly Art, Hassle Records, Helpless, Hem Hem Records, HFN Music, Immune, Independiente, Infant, Infectious, Jagjaguwar, Kartel, Kitchenware, Kitsune, KMS Records / Fabric, Laughing Stock, Lex Records, Lipservice, Little Sister Recordings, LO-MAX Records, Loose Music, Lovepump United, Low Life Records, Lucky Number Music, Lucky Seven Records, Mantra, Matador, Memphis Industries, Merok, Metric Music International, Metroline Limited, Model Citizen, Moikai, Motion Audio, MyMajorLabel Ltd, Nation, Ninja Tune, No Quarter, NovaMute, Nusic Sounds, One Four Seven Records Ltd, One Little Indian, Organs, Outcaste, OVNI, P.I.L., Peartree, Records, PeMa, People In The Sky, People Tree, Pirates Blend Records Inc, Planet Function, Play It Again Sam, Playlouder, Poker Flat, Polyvinyl, Records, Poseidon Records, Post Present, Pschent, Raw Canvas, Red Cord Records, REK’D, Rekids, Rekords Rekords, Renaissance, Reveal Records, Riverman Records, Rock Action Records, Roots Records, Rough Trade Records, Rubyworks, Sea Note, Search and Destroy, Secretly Canadian, Setanta, Shape, SideOneDummy Records, Silva Screen, Slam Dunk Records, Smekkleysa, Soma, Sonic Cathedral, Soul Jazz Records, South Paw, Southern Fried Records, Stereo Bang Media, Stolen Recordings, Stranger Records, Streamline, Sub Pop, Suicide Squeeze, Sunday Best, Thrill Jockey, Tirk, Too Pure, Torque Records, Touch & Go Records, Transmission Recordings, Tri Tone, Trouble Records, True Panther, Try Harder, Turnstile, Twisted Nerve Recordings, Universal Sound, Victory Records, Wagram, Wall of Sound, Warp, Watergate, We Love You, Wiiija, Willkommen Records Ltd, Wonderfulsound, XL, Xtra Mile Recordings, Yaala Yaala, Young Turks

About [PIAS]

[PIAS] is Europe’s leader in the provision of specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include[PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film companyTwin Pics.

• [PIAS] and AIM have created a fund to help support labels that have been adversely affected by the Sony DADC fire.

Official Statement issued by [PIAS]

11^th August 2011, London/Brussels: [PIAS] have been overwhelmed by the response and incredible support offered to both ourselves and the labels that we represent here in the UK.

Labels and artists affected by the destruction of the Sony DADC warehouse are faced with incredible pressures on their businesses in respect to the re-manufacture, re-supply and marketing required as a result of the fire.  Whilst it is expected that insurance will cover the lost stock, the reality for many labels is that they will not be compensated or insured for an interruption of trade or the additional capital to reproduce the stock that they have lost and the promotion in which they have invested.

[PIAS] have been working around the clock to ensure that the wheels of supply continue to turn as soon as possible. [PIAS] and AIM (Association of Independent Music) have been in dialogue with MCPS, PPL and other companies and organisations to discuss ways in which these additional and un-insured costs can be mitigated.

Additional efforts from [PIAS] range from securing preferential rates with suppliers for affected labels; encouraging digital retail initiatives to drive and promote digital sales whilst physical stocks replenish; conducting negotiations to reduce fees that might be charged to labels in the normal course of business.

The last 48 hours has seen a genuine outpouring of support for the principle of independent labels, artists and repertoire. [PIAS] and our labels have received offers of support from both some of the largest names in the business to individuals, all of which simply want to do all they can to support the continued vibrancy and creativity associated with independent music.

In addition to the efforts to reduce actual costs through negotiation, and in response to the numerous offers of support, benefits, fundraising initiatives etc, [PIAS] have worked in conjunction with AIM to create a fund that companies and organisers of initiatives can contribute to. In this way, we have created a vehicle for enabling those involved to do so safe in the knowledge that such monies will be distributed fairly amongst the most needy labels with the sanction of both [PIAS] and AIM.

Kenny Gates, Co-Founder and CEO, [PIAS] “The fund that is being put together in a matter of hours by [PIAS] and AIM demonstrates once again the strength and solidarity in the independent music community. [PIAS] will carry on engaging, helping and supporting its labels and artists in every way possible. I am very confident that our combined efforts will result in the smallest interruption to our collective business. Again the compassion of our recording artists, our labels and the industry wide support is amazing.”

Whilst the specific details of distribution are yet to be determined and our current priority is to support the immediate needs of the labels and artists that we work with, we are also keen to establish a vehicle for the incredible generosity that has been shown towards our labels and associated artists.

Details regarding how to contribute and who to contact:

Anyone wishing to contact [PIAS] and AIM in respect to this fund should email

labelsupportfund@musicindie.com

5^th July 2011, London:

Tasha Anderson has joined [PIAS] UK Ltd as Head of Digital PR. Tasha was previously Senior Digital PR at Anorak London - a department which last year won Best Online PR company in the Record of the Day Awards.

In her four years at Anorak, Tasha specialised in discovering new talent and breaking new bands online for clients such as Island (Universal) and Sony with standout campaigns such as The Drums, Alex Winston and The Bullitts.

Tasha kick starts this new in-house digital PR department overseeing artists such as Grace Jones, De La Soul and Girls. Tasha will also continue to look after The Pains of Being Pure at Heart as well as other artists signed to the Play It Again Sam label, such as dEUS and Liz Green. [PIAS] offers specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of premium music, film and comedy on an international basis.

Peter Thompson, Managing Director of [PIAS] UK said: “We are delighted to welcome Tasha to the [PIAS] GPM team to head up our online digital PR. We feel this is an incredibly important area in the launch and development of any artist in today’s market and it feels increasingly necessary to have this function in-house and close to our marketing and A&R teams.

“So after a long search we were delighted when Tasha agreed to join us especially in light of her successful background and history in this area.”

Tasha can be reached on tasha.anderson@pias.com and 020 7471 2700.

-ENDS-

Notes To Editors

About [PIAS] Global Project Management

[PIAS] GPM is an artist focused solution that centrally co-ordinates, manages and drives the success of projects on a multi-territorial basis. GPM is marketing led and services driven, working with artists, managers and labels to develop all facets of their activity from repertoire releases to live performance. GPM benefits from [PIAS]’s network of sales and distribution operations and is supported by significant investment into IT, finance and administrative systems that enable project managers and artists to have clear sight of developing campaigns. Based in London, UK, [PIAS] Global Project Management represents the benchmark for tailored, continuous and artist centred services.

About [PIAS] Entertainment Group

[PIAS] offers specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include [PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film company Twin Pics.

3^rd February 2011, London/Brussels – [PIAS] Entertainment Group, Europe’s leading music and comedy company, has appointed Clare Britt to the new position of Director of Global Project Management (GPM).

Britt joins [PIAS] with a wealth of experience including being Marketing Director at Rough Trade and Island Records prior to setting up her own consultancy which has managed a host of high profile campaigns most recently Faithless, McFly and Charlotte Church.

[PIAS]’s Global Project Management service taps into the broad range of services and routes to market offered at [PIAS]. Working in tandem with artists, managers and labels, Britt and the [PIAS] GPM team continue to take advantage of new business models and income streams as well as deliver innovative, tailored marketing campaigns on an international basis.

Artists projects adopted by [PIAS] GPM benefit from a wealth of experience and specialist expertise spanning all areas of an artist’s interests – from recorded music sales to live ticketing and merchandise; from brand and sponsorship to sync; from digital and social media marketing to e-commerce solutions and rights management – [PIAS] is able to deliver on both the strategy and execution of marketing plans that weave all elements of an artists interests into one cohesive campaign.

Artists benefitting from the GPM service include Agnes Obel, Royksopp, Editors, Enter Shikari, Faithless, Grace Jones, Joan As Police Woman, Tiesto and Young Knives.

Britt will report into UK MD Peter Thompson, and be based at the [PIAS] UK offices alongside business partner Pru Harris. Britt & Harris will also house their existing management and brand consultancy at [PIAS], where they will continue to work with clients such as Mcfly and Faithless.

Edwin Schroter, [PIAS] Managing Director of Repertoire says ““We’re delighted to have Clare on board with us. Her vast experience in marketing and project management, combined with her strategic and out-of-the-box thinking will help us develop the Global Project Management service into a unique and unrivalled offering for artists and labels.”

About [PIAS] Global Project Management

[PIAS] GPM is an artist focused solution that centrally co-ordinates, manages and drives the success of projects on a multi-territorial basis. GPM is marketing led and services driven, working with artists, managers and labels to develop all facets of their activity from repertoire releases to live performance. GPM benefits from [PIAS]’s network of sales and distribution operations and is supported by significant investment into IT, finance and administrative systems that enable project managers and artists to have clear sight of developing campaigns. Based in London, UK, [PIAS] Global Project Management represents the benchmark for tailored, continuous and artist centered services.

About [PIAS] Entertainment Group

[PIAS] offers specialist services for the licensing, distribution, sales and marketing of music, film and comedy on an international basis. [PIAS] is dedicated to providing repertoire creators and owners with specialist, premium level services that enable them to develop and maximise the value associated with their artists, products and brands.

Originally founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] supplies a range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group has significant operations in UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition [PIAS] has interests in USA and Australia plus an extensive international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] also owns premium repertoire and rights through its [PIAS] Recordings stable of labels that includes the Wall of Sound, Different and Play It Again Sam imprints. Additional interests include [PIAS] Comedy and the Strictly Confidential publishing operations and joint venture film company Twin Pics.