Leading distribution executives have told Music Week that diversity is key for the sector.
While Ben Rimmer, head of distribution and artist services at Believe, acknowledged that the sector has matured much faster in the UK than in other territories, he acknowledged that companies must vary their offerings as a result.
In a special report in the new issue of Music Week, out now, Rimmer - whose company work with Björk (pictured above) - was joined by The Orchard boss Ian Dutt, Nick Roden of InGrooves and Proper Music’s Vangel Vlaski. All four reached the consensus that their companies had to be flexible in order to ensure continued success.
Roden, SVP, business and label development at InGrooves, said: “It’s no longer just about the timely, accurate, global delivery and management of content: that should be a given from any distributor.
“Now it’s about what else your distribution partner can do to help you grow your business, the knowledge and insights they contribute, and the people and expertise they add to your team.”
Proper Music’s senior label manager Vangel Vlaski said that “clients are looking for a distributor who can handle the full range of services, but can also offer something bespoke”.
Distributors are starting to offer more services than ever before
Vangel Vlaski, Proper Music
“Distributors are starting to offer more services than ever before,” he added. “We know it is increasingly important to be able to offer a flexible and varied set of services, but we believe it’s vital to diversify only once in-house knowledge and expertise are ready.”
Vlaski also noted continued “steady growth” of vinyl in the UK, adding that CDs accounted for 80% of its physical units shipped in the last financial year.
The executives were also united in their view that technological advances relating to data present major opportunities for the future.
Roden said the sector is “here to help labels navigate the evolving landscape,” referencing some of 2018’s biggest digital stories, including YouTube Music and the continuing developments at Facebook.
Subscribers can read the full story, in which the execs debate a range of issues including competition, short-termism and Brexit, here.
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