Label Alliance Music has been purchased by STL
IN ANOTHER major realignment of Britain's Christian music record
companies, Send The Light Limited (STL) of Carlisle have purchased
record company Alliance Music. The Alliance business is to be merged
into Authentic Media, the charity's music and book division, operating
from Milton Keynes.
Alliance has been a major player in Christian
music since its formation in 1993 by Ian Hamilton, David Bruce and
David Withers. For several years the company released product by EMI
Christian Music Group in the UK. More recently Alliance has
represented the Vineyard Music Group, Spring House (the Gaither video
and audio product label), Australia's Seam Of Gold and BBC Songs Of
Praise as well as a number of other licences. These will transfer to
Authentic Media with immediate effect. In addition, Alliance's own
artist roster including The Tribe, thebandwithnoname, Nicki Rogers and
Kindle will be assigned. The Alliance Music label will continue. This
will compliment Authentic's existing music catalogue that includes
Word, Provident and Hillsongs amongst others.
Alliance staff will
also transfer including the Alliance directors, David Withers and
David Bruce. Both executives had previously worked with Word (UK), the
company which was the foundation stone of Authentic Media before it
too was purchased by STL Said Keith Danby, the CEO of STL, "This is an
important addition to our media division and we feel privileged to be
given the opportunity to represent the labels and artists. Authentic,
with the strengthened management team and additional product groups,
makes an exciting and formidable business unit. In a short time
Authentic has become an established brand and a leading player in the
industry, but I am confident the best is yet to come!'
Graham
Williams, managing director of Authentic Media, said, "We welcome the
Alliance team to the Authentic family. We highly respect the skills
and experience they will add to our company." David Withers added, "We
have worked in partnership with STL Distribution, Wesley Owen and
Authentic for many years, always with positive and warm relationships.
It really is a great privilege to be able to become a part of the
Authentic family and to work alongside Graham. During our nine years
of independence, we have invested heavily in our labels and artists
and now know that the building process will continue with even greater
effect. The music business is faced with many changes in the coming
years, not least because of the whole technical revolution. The
strength of STL really provides the means of rising to these
challenges whilst continuing to make and supply first class music and
other products."
The acquisition is with immediate effect and all
Alliance titles are available through STL Distribution to all
channels. The integration of the two businesses will take place during
the next few months.