September 10, 2007

By By Lars Brandle, London

Brussels-based independent music firm PIAS Group is acquiring a 50% stake in mobile marketing and distribution agency Indie Mobile for an undisclosed sum.

The "significant investment," explains PIAS in a statement issued today, will pool both partners' know-how to craft a one-stop, international mobile service for independent labels and artists.

The pact, says Seth Jackson, who continues as managing director of the Brighton, England-based firm, creates "one of the largest independent music specialists in the world," and positions it as a conduit to better serve the 400-plus indie labels it represents.

"The deal will allow us to do what we already do, just better and on a larger scale," adds Jackson. "We have always believed that independent music has the potential to be a significant player in the mobile arena, so we're hugely excited by the first-class resources and fabulous roster that PIAS group provide."

The pact, comments Nick Hartley, CEO of PIAS U.K. Group, "represents another important step in PIAS Group's continued strategy to provide our labels with a comprehensive range of services and routes to market throughout the U.K., Europe and the rest of the world."

Adrian Pope, PIAS Group director of digital and business development adds that the tie-up enables a "quantum leap" in the range of services the companies can now offer independent rights holders.

PIAS' business includes Vital:PIAS Digital, Vital Distribution Ltd, PIAS Recordings and Wall of Sound, the label which established such artists as Royksopp, Propellerheads and Les Rythmes Digitales.

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