Absolute Label Services and Bucks Music Group have formed a joint venture to provide neighbouring rights collection for independent artists and labels.
Absolute Rights Management will collect directly from territories including the UK, USA, France, Brazil, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.
The company has quietly signed more than 40 artists to its roster, including The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, The Shadows’ Brian Bennett, grime artist Cadet, David Arnold and Christian rock artist and songwriter Martin Smith.
The deal comes as PPL and PRS For Music are set to launch their own JV later this year to coordinate collections. PPL chief executive recently told Music Week about the importance of increasing international neighbouring rights collections for the industry.
Absolute Rights Management is run by head of global copyright & collections Gina Deacon, who has driven neighbouring rights collection for Absolute’s label partners for over 15 years.
Gina Deacon said: “Absolute has collected neighbouring rights royalties for its label clients for many years now, but there is still a huge number of performers who aren’t receiving full remuneration when eligible recordings they’ve performed on are played in public. Absolute and Bucks have come together to be a powerful but independent champion for artists in this sector.”
Absolute Label Services MD Henry Semmence said: “Absolute and Bucks have been long-time collaborators and we’ve always worked well together. We have the same commitment to service when it comes to our clients and believe that together we can provide the most complete neighbouring rights offering on the market.”
Bucks Music Group MD Simon Platz added: “This JV with Absolute feels like a natural fit considering the kinship of our two companies in terms of both our philosophy and approach to the business and our clients. Together we have a wealth of resources and expertise that will benefit performing artists of all shapes and sizes.”
Absolute Label Services works with artists, managers and labels. Artist clients include Steps, Shane Filan, Alice Cooper, Newton Faulkner, Babymetal, Cadet, Deep Purple and Jack Savoretti. Label clients include earMusic and BMG.
Bucks Music Group’s catalogue includes works by the likes of David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, DJ Fresh, Run The Jewels, Brian Eno, James Blunt, Professor Green, Rudimental and Beyonce. Label publishing partners include Heavenly, Nude and Arts & Crafts.
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