November 05, 2007

By By Lars Brandle, London

B-Unique, the British label home to Kaiser Chiefs and Primal Scream, has struck a deal with Warner Music U.K. that will see it become integrated into Atlantic Records U.K., with effect from February 2008.

The new partnership, unveiled today, will oversee all new B-Unique signings, while its existing roster will remain signed to the label and licensed to third parties. Until now, B-Unique had a distribution and marketing agreement with Universal Music Group. Universal's Polydor will continue to license Kaiser Chiefs, the Twang and the Automatic from B-Unique.

As part of the new deal, B-Unique will establish a management division to operate in tandem with the label. Financial terms were not disclosed.

B-Unique's founders and co-managing directors Mark Lewis and Martin Toher will continue to oversee B-Unique, working with Atlantic Records U.K. President Max Lousada.

"The move into artist management is something we have long been planning for," comments Lewis in a statement. "We feel we have a lot of experience to offer to artists. Whatever changes in the fabric and structure of this industry,? he noted, ?we will always endeavour to be involved with quality artists with really good songs."

John Reid, president, Warner Music Europe, added, "This is a significant investment for us, strengthening our roster and opening up new revenue streams associated with some of the U.K.'s most successful and exciting recording artists."

Lewis and Toher launched London-based B-Unique in 2001. The label had its first success the following year with the self-titled Aqualung album, and has gone on to strike hits with the likes of the Automatic, the Twang, and most notably, Kaiser Chiefs, whose debut album "Employment" earned the band three Brit Awards in 2006.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!