Utopia grows distribution services with acquisition of Absolute Label Services

24 February 2022 - Press release

THE DEAL FOLLOWS THE RECENT ACQUISITION OF PROPER MUSIC GROUP AND THE LAUNCH OF UTOPIA’S DISTRIBUTION SERVICES UNIT 

 

• Absolute Label Services joins Proper Music Group under Utopia’s newly launched Distribution Services business unit

• Utopia can now offer labels managed services such as administration, sales, and distribution, both physical and digital, through to cutting edge marketing and promotional campaigns, aided by the use of new and exciting technology

• Absolute has a long history spanning more than two decades and an impeccable reputation in partnering with labels to help promote Creators and Performers

• The acquisition further enhances Utopia’s growth path in the UK, one of the important markets in the Music Industry

 

Utopia Music, the Swiss Music fintech company, has acquired Absolute Label Services (Absolute) a UK-based distribution and services provider to independent artists and record labels. Included in the acquisition is neighbouring rights company Absolute Rights Management. Absolute’s current offering will be integrated into Utopia’s Distribution Services business unit, which launched in January with the acquisition of Proper Music Group. 

Utopia’s Distribution Services business unit offers partnering labels digital distribution services, marketing for creators and performers, digital retail marketing, reporting and budgeting, physical distribution and sales, manufacturing, real-time analytics, synchronisation, and digital health checks.

The unit is bolstered by Absolute’s current services, infrastructure, and expertise in providing labels with managed services including administration, sales, physical and digital distribution, cutting edge marketing and promotional campaigns, all aided by the use of new and exciting technology.

Absolute’s co-owners and joint Managing Directors, Henry Semmence and Simon Wills, join as VP, Distribution Services. They will work alongside Drew Hill, VP, Physical Distribution. All will report directly to Utopia’s Chief Operating Officer Roberto Neri.

“We are delighted to announce our acquisition of Absolute, which further strengthens our position as partners of the Industry,” said Roberto Neri, COO at Utopia Music. “Absolute has an impeccable track record and it’s our honour to welcome their team to the Utopia family and increase our offering for artists, record labels, and distributors. 

“Simon and Henry have a strong reputation as industry leaders and partners. By working in tandem we can enhance and supercharge our Utopia distribution offering delivering ‘Fair Pay for Every Play’ for Creators and rights holders.”

Founded in 1998, Absolute is one of the most established label services companies in the world. It has a proven track record of powering successful campaigns and providing routes to market for a wide range of independent artists, managers and labels. The company’s diverse client base ranges from developing talent such as Jake Isaac, edbl and Au-Ra to household names including Deep Purple, Beverly Knight and McFly.

“At Absolute we pride ourselves on being the most trusted partner for labels,” said Semmence and Wills. “By joining the Utopia family, we can provide our clients with an array of new services and exponentially increase their business. It is no secret that the Music Industry has a data gap. We are proud to be part of a company that wants to make a difference within the industry and help it grow.”

Absolute will continue to service its existing customer base as part of the Utopia family, while moving forward with the goal of providing a fairer and more transparent industry, as well as high quality  products geared towards labels and Creators. 

Absolute will also now have access to Utopia’s immense music consumption data bank that includes more than 48 billion global data points among an array of new services provided by the company’s other business offerings.