Warner Music Group has acquired Gala Records Group, the first privately owned label in Russia. Gala, launched in 1988, handles distribution, publishing, live production and artist representation in addition to recorded music. Its distribution arm works with such indies as K7, Fat Cat Records and Kontor. The acquisition is WMG’s first fully owned business in the country. WMG was acquired by Russian-born mogul Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries in 2011 for about $3.3 billion. “Russia represents a significant opportunity and, with Gala spearheading our operations there, we will be well-positioned for growth in this vibrant and dynamic market,” WMG CEO Stephen Cooper said in a statement. “WMG’s expertise and involvement is extremely valuable for the developing Russian music market,” Gala CEO Alexander Blinov said in a statement, “and will strengthen our efforts to foster its growth.”
The recently relaunched Myspace and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” are teaming for a yearlong initiative that’ll bring the show’s extended musical performances to a wider audience. Beginning June 18, select acts booked for the show’s concert series will have their outdoor-stage performances, which typically feature as many as five songs, streamed in high definition on Myspace (and also archived on the site). The first act scheduled is Empire of the Sun. Myspace VP of global marketing Christian Parkes says the show has “a great track record of recognizing new and emerging talent.”
David Israelite, president/CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Assn. since 2005, will retain his position through 2018, according to the NMPA board of directors. “As our music marketplace is being redefined, music publishers and songwriters are seeing the benefits of his leadership financially and professionally,” board chairman Irwin Robinson said in a statement. “He has increased the stature of NMPA and remains one of our industry’s strongest public champions.”