Warner Music Int'l Launches Video Content Unit

New Warner Int'l Unit

WARNER MUSIC INTERNATIONAL has acquired UK-based DVD/digital production company THE RIGHTS CO. and merged it with its own DVD sales, marketing and distribution unit, WARNER VISION, to form new video content division WARNER MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. THE RIGHTS CO. founder/CEO CONRAD WITHEY will serve as Pres. of the new LONDON-based unit and report to WMI Vice Chairman/Music, Marketing & Content JOHN REID.

WMI CEO PATRICK VIEN said, "The explosion of new distribution platforms has created an unprecedented opportunity for us to significantly enhance the menu of multimedia content we deliver. This acquisition supports the ongoing transformation of our organization by strengthening our capacity to create rich video material around our core recorded music business as well as allowing us to explore new formats in the pop-culture space. THE RIGHTS CO. has a successful track record of devising creative, compelling and popular vehicles for the brands and personalities they represent, and we look forward to applying that same approach at WARNER MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT."

REID said, "The entrepreneurial spirit of THE RIGHTS CO. is a natural fit with WARNER MUSIC and WARNER VISION. CONRAD and his team have demonstrated an impressive ability to think creatively around the properties in their portfolio, so we’re extremely excited about what they can bring to the mix when working with our wide-ranging roster. We’ve already established a reputation for helping our artists transition their music to the digital space and the creation of this new division boosts our ability to offer them even more ways to connect with audiences."

WITHEY said, "THE RIGHTS CO. is thrilled to be joining the WARNER MUSIC team and helping to build on the great work that WARNER VISION has been doing. We believe that combining music expertise with a wealth of experience in developing and producing new formats creates a powerful proposition that will deliver benefits to artists and consumers alike."

« see more Net News