Warner Music Group Acquires Gold Typhoon, Gains Foothold In China

Warner Music Group has signed an agreement to acquire the recorded music catalog and current roster of Gold Typhoon Group, one of the largest independent music companies operating in China and the region. The deal, part of WMG's ongoing effort to become a more global music company supporting local repertoires, is expected to close in summer 2014.

The Gold Typhoon catalog is one of the largest collections of local pop and rock music from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including many popular releases from the early 1990’s.

The company’s current roster of artists includes multi-award-winning superstars such as Khalil Fong and Kay Tse as well as breaking artists such as Tia Yuan and Sean Zhang, among others. The  catalog includes recordings from Taiwanese artists such as Eric Moo, Phil Chang, Elva Hsiao, David Tao, Lollipop, Ah Mei, and Chiang Hui; Mainland Chinese artists Xu Wei, Flowers, and Bibi Zhou Pijiang; and Hong Kong’s Justin Lo, Rubberband, William So, Leo Ku, and Miriam Yeung, among others.

Founded in 2003, Gold Typhoon Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Global Management Asia (PGMA) in 2011.

The deal follows Warner Music Group’s recent moves in emerging markets. Last June, WMG announced the acquisition of Gala Records Group, Russia's leading independent music company, and subsequently established Warner Music Russia. As part of its acquisition of Parlophone Label Group last year, WMG acquired active affiliates in key emerging markets in Eastern Europe. December saw the launch of Warner Music South Africa, following a buyout of Gallo Records’ share of the joint venture Warner Music Gallo Africa.

These acquisitions coincided with renewed investment in local repertoire in emerging markets where WMG already had a presence, such as Brazil.