Done Deal: Sony Music Buys Indie Hard Rock/Metal Century Labels

Sony Music Gets Bigger

As tipped here yesterday (NET NEWS, 8/24), SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT has officially acquired the CENTURY group of indie hard rock and labels. Led by founder ROBERT KAMPF, who will stay on as CEO of the CENTURY GROUP and oversee its worldwide operations, CENTURY is home to artists such as LACUNA COIL, ARCH ENEMY, QUEENSRYCHE, KANSAS, DEVIN TOWNSEND, STEVE HACKETT and STITCHED UP HEART.

SONY MUSIC will distribute releases from CENTURY’s labels – CENTURY MEDIA, ANOTHER CENTURY, INSIDEOUT, SUPERBALL and PEOPLE LIKE YOU -– via RED DISTRIBUTION in the U.S. and SONY MUSIC INTERNATIONAL around the world. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to be further strengthening our successful partnership with ROBERT KAMPF and his great team through SONY MUSIC’s expanded global relationship with CENTURY MEDIA," RED DISTRIBUTION Pres. BOB MORELLI said. "CENTURY is one of the best hard rock labels in the business and ROBERT is an accomplished executive who understands the genre like few others. We are excited to continue working with CENTURY to grow the business for their talented roster of artists.”

“ROBERT KAMPF is an excellent rock executive and successful entrepreneur and I am thrilled he and his talented roster of artists will be joining the SONY MUSIC family," SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT International EVP ADAM GRANITE said. "Together we have a tremendous opportunity to grow our respective hard rock and heavy metal businesses globally.”

“The future of CENTURY is incredibly bright," CENTURY GROUP CEO ROBERT KAMPF said. "The company I founded over 25 years ago is moving into its strongest chapter yet with the best music company in the world, SONY MUSIC. I am tremendously excited to work with the outstanding executive teams at SONY MUSIC and RED to further grow CENTURY’s labels as a dominant force in rock, prog, alternative and metal. The sky is the limit.”

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