MUMBAI / December 10, 2008 –– Universal Music Group
(UMG), the world’s leading music company, has joined forces with Eros
International, the leading integrated studio in India’s media and
entertainment industry, to launch a joint-venture artist-management agency to
groom and promote Indian pop talent locally and globally.
The agreement was announced today by Kishore Lulla, Chairman & CEO, Eros International, and Max Hole,
President, Universal Music Asia Pacific Region, and Executive Vice President, Universal
Music Group International (UMGI).
The joint venture was officiated with a contractual signing on November 18, and
came into immediate effect. Rajat Kakar, Managing Director of Universal Music India, has been
appointed the inaugural Chairman of the JV. Sunil Lulla, President, India, of Eros
International, and Jyoti Deshpande, COO of Eros International Group, are on the
JV’s Board
of Directors. The launch phase will focus on marketing and
promotional initiatives for new, undiscovered pop acts from around India. This
agreement is the first of its kind for UMG in both India
and the South East Asia region.
Established in 1977, Eros International operates a strategic
Indian-film business that covers Global Distribution, Motion Pictures, Music, Home Entertainment, e-Television, New Media and Animation. With offices in more than 50
countries, Eros releases up to 50 new films annually and exploits a 1,900-title film library, making it one of the largest
content owners in the business.
Universal
Music Group is the world’s leading music company with wholly owned
record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its company in India is headquartered
in Mumbai. The partnership with Eros will ensure that fresh new artists will be
signed and promoted throughout the country as well as internationally. With
access to UMG’s artist-management expertise, they will also be provided with
exciting opportunities to develop their talent and be exposed to new,
wide-reaching promotional avenues.
Max Hole said: “Eros is an incredibly exciting and ambitious company. Combining
the creative ideas and marketing skills of Eros and Universal Music will
certainly give a huge boost to Indian music and artist development.â€
Added Kishore Lulla: “Music and films are naturally intertwined, so the synergy
is unmistakable. As we continue to expand our film slate, we are constantly
searching for new talent. Our tie-up with Universal, and their expertise in pop
music talent management, is perfectly complimentary with Eros’ ability to offer
a credible platform for such talent through its films or worldwide distribution
network. The possibilities for Indian and international collaborations are very
exciting.â€
Rajat Kakar commented: “Indian music today is at a very interesting juncture,
influenced by global trends and distributed via new avenues. We are excited at
the prospect of pioneering India’s first-ever 360° talent management
entity aimed at creating musical icons that appeal to millions of Indians, with
the potential of appealing to global audiences as well.â€
Universal Music Group International Adam White
+44 (020) 7471 5665 (office) +44 (0) 7808 924 030 (mobile) adam.white@umusic.com
Eros International +44 (020) 8963 8400 (UK office)
UK: vaishali.malhotra@erosintl.com
US: dolly.tilani@erosintl.com
India: amita.naidu@erosintl.com www.erosplc.com <http://www.erosplc.com/> Note to Editors: About Universal Music Group Universal
Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned
record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include
Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music
publishing operation.
Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche
Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island
Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville,
Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Motown
Republic Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Records South and Verve Music
Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its
record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns
the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last
100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's
catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises
(in the U.S.) and Universal
Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also
includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its
merchandising company; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management
division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications
company.
About Eros International plc Eros
International is a leading integrated studio in the rapidly growing
Indian media and entertainment sector, involved in the production, acquisition
and distribution of filmed entertainment content across current and emerging
formats including cinemas, home entertainment, television and
new media.
Established in 1977 with a vision to become the gateway for Indian content
worldwide and Hollywood content in India, Eros has
over three decades of market leadership in creating a global platform for
Indian cinema. Strong globally recognised brand, extensive distribution network
and an unrivalled library of over 1,900 films render Eros a steadfast market
positioning today. In 2006 Eros became the first Indian media company to get
listed on AIM, LSE. Eros operates in 5 continents and over 50 countries with
diversified assets and worldwide offices throughout India,
the United Kingdom, USA, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Fiji and the
Isle of Man.
This channel is brought to you by