The Orchard and Red Essential have unveiled plans to merge their UK-based businesses into one parent company.
Named The Orchard, the new business will be run by Red Essential’s co-managing directors Ian Dutt and Mike Chadwick. The merger combines the expertise of both teams, offering artists and labels services including physical and digital, sales, marketing, promotion, sync, neighbouring rights, strategy and analysis in more than 30 markets across the globe.
Red Essential and The Orchard have served the independent sector for decades, currently fostering partnerships with artists such as 2016 Mercury Music Prize and 2017 Ivor Novello winner Skepta as well as Run The Jewels, Giggs, Joey BadA$$, Lower Than Atlantis, Alter Bridge and Anderson .Paak. There are also ongoing relationships with labels including Cooking Vinyl, Cherry Red, Snapper, Red Bull Records, Demon, Thirty Tigers and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Founded in 1997 by Richard Gottehrer and Scott Cohen, The Orchard has grown from an office on Orchard St in NYC to a global enterprise with more than 300 staff. It was acquired by Sony in 2015. Essential Music & Marketing was founded in 2003 and was acquired by Sony in March 2016, merging with Sony Red to create Red Essential.
The new artist and label services company will be based in Farringdon, central London and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. It offers comprehensive delivery, owned supply chain, dedicated sales and business development teams and distribution and reporting systems designed to provide a consolidated experience for digital and physical clients worldwide.
Jason Iley, chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK and Ireland, said: “Separately, Red Essential and The Orchard have shown they are two great, innovative artist-focused companies. By partnering, and with the backing of Sony Music globally, the merged business will continue to provide support and benefits to independent artists and labels alike that is unparalleled in the UK.”
Co-managing directors Ian Dutt and Mike Chadwick said: “There is no other company that comes close to what we offer. Our team’s expertise and first-class business relationships, combined with the global sales and marketing network and cutting-edge technology, gives our clients everything they need to maximize their success.”
Colleen Theis, COO, The Orchard, said: “The Orchard has always worked on a global scale. Combining forces in the UK with Red Essential to create a single company with an incredible roster of independent artists and labels allows all of our clients to benefit from market strength and a strong competitive advantage, both at home and abroad. The collaboration will create unique opportunities to market and drive revenue for our clients."
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