FUGA inks global distribution deal with Marathon Music – Music Business Worldwide

FUGA, a Downtown Music Holdings-owned B2B distributor, has enlisted another independent music label as a client for its global distribution, marketing and sync services.

Marathon Music Group, the parent company of Marathon Artists and other independent record labels like Moves Recordings, Mahogany Recordings, and DMY Recordings, will be using FUGA’s global digital and physical distribution offerings.

Marathon is home to artists including Courntey Barnett, Lava La Rue, Afro B and Sengalese star Baaba Maal.

Marathon Music was founded in 2012 by CEO Paul-Rene Albertini, Philippe Ascoli and Jimmy Mikaoui.

he UK-based record company’s roster ranges from singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett and Lava La Rue to Afrobeats stars like Naira Marley and Afro B. It also counts UK Jazz pillars such as Ill Considered and Theon Cross among its acts.

In 2020, Marathon launched New Soil, a new division that specializes in UK Jazz.

With the FUGA partnership, FUGA says that Marathon Music will gain access to its services including marketing, trends and analytics, sync and brand partnerships, and more.

FUGA provides B2B services for music companies. With a presence in 17 countries, its global marketing team provides analytics, royalty accounting, neighboring rights, rights management, and white-label services.

The company was acquired by Downtown Music Holdings in 2020, and has since joined Downtown’s other divisions including Downtown Neighbouring Rights, Downtown Music Publishing and Downtown Music Services in a new unit called Downtown Music, led by President, Pieter van Rijn.

Its most recent partnership was with US independent label Polyvinyl Records, whose roster includes artists like Alvvays, of Montreal, American Football, Laura Jane Grace, Julia Jacklin and STRFKR.

FUGA’s other clients include electronic label Insomniac Music Group, classical music company Naxos, Germany’s Odyssey Music Network and Austria’s Phat Penguin.

“Marathon Music Group is entering a new stage of its journey and we could not be more excited to do this in partnership with FUGA.”

Paul-Rene Albertini, Marathon

“Marathon Music Group is entering a new stage of its journey and we could not be more excited to do this in partnership with FUGA,” Marathon Music’s Albertini said.

“Marathon shares with FUGA – and its parent company Downtown Music Holdings – intrinsic traits including an appetite for enabling technologies and artistic independence. We look forward to this collaborative partnership.”

 “We are thrilled to welcome Marathon Artists to the FUGA fold.”

Liz Northeast, FUGA

Liz Northeast, General Manager for UK at FUGA, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Marathon Artists to the FUGA fold. Marathon’s dedication to championing diverse, independent artists alongside their passion for supporting emerging talent in the music technology space under their LABs initiative, makes them an ideal and like-minded partner for FUGA.”

“We are humbled to be bringing such great talent and partners to FUGA and providing them with our best in-class services.”

Music Business Worldwide