FUGA strikes partnership with classical music company Naxos – Music Business Worldwide

Downtown Music Holdings-owned B2B distributor FUGA has formed a new alliance with specialist classical music company, Naxos Music Group, which distributes more than 90,000 titles.

Under the deal, FUGA will provide its services including digital distribution, marketing, royalty accounting and trends and analytics platform to Naxos, the companies said Wednesday (November 2).

Founded in 1987 by German-born entrepreneur Klaus Heymann, the Naxos group now houses over 50 owned record labels including its namesake brand Naxos, Capriccio, Grand Piano, Ondine, Orfeo, Opus Arte, ARC and Prophone.

The company has 15 offices globally and distributes more than 700 independent record labels.

“Naxos’s highly reputed global catalog and fierce dedication to both accessibility and innovation within classical music makes this a very exciting partnership,” Christiaan Kröner, President of FUGA, said.

Kröner adds: “We look forward to providing a wide breadth of FUGA’s industry-leading services across distribution and marketing to Naxos’s clientele, connecting them even further to audiences worldwide.”

“Naxos’s highly reputed global catalog and fierce dedication to both accessibility and innovation within classical music makes this a very exciting partnership.”

Christiaan Kröner, FUGA

In addition to classical music, Naxos also distributes world and jazz music recordings, as well as a range of other products including DVDs, books, e-books, audiobooks, apps and musical scores, among others.

Naxos will be the latest addition to FUGA’s client base globally that has now reached more than 800 clients including Better Noise Music, Beggars Group, Epitaph and Ninja Tune.

About two months ago, FUGA teamed up with Berlin-based artist management and label services agency, Odyssey Music Network, whose roster includes Royal Republic, Asaf Avidan, Heather Nova and Apocalyptica, and is working with emerging German talent including Power Plush, Saint Chaos and Blond.

FUGA also partnered with Vienna-based label and management company Phat Penguin, which counts electronic act Kruder & Dorfmeister as part of its roster, providing the firm with its content management and sync and analytics offerings.

“this new partnership will amplify the global presence of classical music and raise the standard for its discoverability throughout the digital ecosystem.”

Håkan Lagerqvist, Naxos Digital Services

Over the past 12 months, Amsterdam-headquartered FUGA launched new hubs in South Korea, Brazil, Sweden and Germany, growing its staff by 30% from a year earlier.

“FUGA’s established commitment to music and technology aligns with our vision to provide the best possible service to our labels. Together with our classical music expertise and deep catalog, this new partnership will amplify the global presence of classical music and raise the standard for its discoverability throughout the digital ecosystem,” Håkan Lagerqvist, CEO of Naxos Digital Services, said.

The latest partnership follows Downtown Music Holding’s business shakeup in September, setting up a new division to manage FUGA, Downtown Neighbouring Rights, Adrev and Downtown Music Services.

The new division called Downtown Music is led by FUGA CEO Pieter van Rijn. Downtown acquired FUGA in January 2020.

Music Business Worldwide