As first reported in the July 23 issue of Billboard, EMI has formed a music venture with Spanish-language media company Grupo Televisa. Starting Sept. 1, Televisa will join forces with EMI labels in Mexico and the United States. EMI confirmed the partnership today (July 19).
In Mexico, the companies are forming Televisa EMI Music, which will focus on compilations and developing artists. The label will operate independently from EMI Mexico, whose acts include Fey and Aleks Syntek.
Televisa will also partner with EMI’s existing U.S. Latin label, EMI Music U.S. Latin, which will be renamed EMI Televisa Music. Thalía, Kumbia Kings, Intocable and Soraya are part of the EMI Music U.S. Latin’s current roster.
The ventures in Mexico and the United States will be headed by Rodolfo López-Negrete, who is now director of Televisa Music. He will report to Marco Bissi, president/CEO of EMI Music Latin America, and Javier Prado, general director of Televisa Entertainment.
This EMI-Televisa announcement follows the July 6 departure of EMI Music U.S. Latin president/CEO Jorge Pino.
Televisa, whose holdings include the mammoth Televisa network in Mexico, will bring major media support to EMI.
