Proper becomes European Hub for Believe, secures Glitterbeat
PRESS RELEASE:
The UK’s largest indie distributor, Proper Music Group, has extended its deal with Believe as it increasingly acts as a European hub. The company has also signed a new distribution deal with world music experts Glitterbeat Records.
Alongside handling Believe’s physical sales and distribution in the UK, Proper will now provide storage for finished goods in its London warehouse, for shipping to the continent as needed. Believe’s roster includes James Vincent McMorrow, UNFD, and Greco-Roman.
Proper has also inked a new direct sales and distribution deal with respected world music specialist Glitterbeat Records for the UK & Ireland. The label recently won the WOMEX Label Award for an unprecedented third year running. Its latest release comes from Turkish alt singer-songwriter Gaye Su Akyol’s Hologram İmparatorluğu.
Said Drew Hill, Managing Director at Proper Music Group: “We’re happy to see Believe extending the scope of our services, with Proper now acting as their European distribution hub, and proud to welcome Glitterbeat to our growing client roster. With the opening of our new warehouse on the horizon, business is set to soar.”
Chris Eckman, Co-founder of Glitterbeat commented: “Proper’s long history of working with labels like Glitterbeat, that have artists from Africa, South America, Asia and beyond, was of course an attraction. Proper’s diverse network will in addition enable us to build on the success we are having intersecting with rock and electronic audiences.”
About Proper
Proper Music Group is a full services company providing everything from global physical and digital distribution to artist and label services, publishing, online retail and its own record label. Clients are able to tap into as much or as little of Proper’s offering as fits their needs.
Its distribution arm, Proper Distribution – the largest totally independent distributor in the UK – is renowned for having the knowledge, experience and personal service of an independent specialist coupled with the reach and power of a major. The company represents over four percent of the UK physical recorded music market, handling over 600,000 titles at any time.
Latest accounts show the year to 31st March 2015 was one of Proper’s best yet with profits of £200,000 – nearly three times that of the previous year – and an overall turnover of over £21 million.
Proper is listed in the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2015 report compiled by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
About Believe
Believe is the leading fully independent distributor and services provider for artists & labels worldwide. The company has over 400 employees worldwide with offices in France, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, LATAM, Asia, Eastern Europe, The Middle East and Africa.
Believe empowers artists and labels to maximize the value of their music by providing them with a full suite of services: digital audio and video distribution, DSP retail marketing, digital marketing and promotion services, synchronization and neighboring rights management, full label services, including in-house record labels Naive and Believe Recordings. The company prides itself on providing personal tailor made services for each label and artist.www.believedigital.co.uk
About Glitterbeat
Glitterbeat was founded in 2012 by co-owners Chris Eckman and Peter Weber and the label’s first records were released in the spring of 2013. Peter Weber was the original manager of the band Tamikrest and is currently the owner of the well-established German independent label Glitterhouse. Chris Eckman has a long history as both an artist (The Walkabouts, Dirtmusic) and as a producer (Tamikrest, Aziza Brahim, Bassekou Kouyaté, Ben Zabo). Glitterbeat is based in Germany and partners with the Glitterhouse label for some label services.