Australia’s own heavy music-focused UNIFIED Music Group has entered a partnership with US-based B2B music distribution group FUGA (owned by Downtown), Music Business Worldwide reports.
On Thursday (10 October), FUGA detailed its new relationship with UNIFIED, stating that it’s providing “strategic marketing support, access to its global technology platform, physical distribution, and neighbouring rights services” to UNIFIED’s labels.
With the deal, FUGA has scored neighbouring rights services to UNIFIED’s labels UNFD (Thornhill, ERRA, Crossfaith, Yours Truly, Void Of Vision) and Domestic La La (Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, Dear Seattle, Teenage Joans, LOSER), as well as future drops released by Community Music (Ocean Alley, Pete Murray, The Grogans, The Rions).
This isn’t the first time UNIFIED has collaborated with Downtown. In January 2022, UNIFIED joined forces with another Downtown-owned group: the royalty accounting platform Curve.
In a statement, Francesca Caldara, the Vice President of Recorded Music at UNIFIED Music Group, said that the Australian company is “excited” to expand its partnership with Downtown through the deal with FUGA, adding that it supports UNIFIED’s “ambitious growth plans.”
“By tapping into FUGA’s technology and music expertise, this collaboration opens new opportunities for our roster, enabling our artists and partners to reach even larger audiences and continue pushing the boundaries of what independent music can achieve,” Caldara said.
FUGA President Christiaan Kröner said the Downtown-owned company is “thrilled” to deepen its relationship with UNIFIED Music Group, offering a “diverse suite of services” including “world-class distribution and marketing solutions to neighbouring rights and UGC management.”
To Kröner, the “holistic approach” presented “underscores the value of Downtown’s interconnected services and will empower UNIFIED’s roster to grow and succeed in an ever-evolving music landscape.”
Henry Compton, FUGA’s representative in the Australasia region, added that it’s “always a privilege” to collaborate with a company like UNIFIED, describing the Music Group as “a true Australian leader in the global music scene.”
Compton continued, “Their commitment to supporting artists and pushing boundaries aligns perfectly with our vision at FUGA, and we couldn’t be more excited to join forces.”
