The Orchard Comes Out On Top As Sony Merges RED, Global Indie Distributors

Sony Music Entertainment will combine its regional independent distribution groups including Sony RED into The Orchard, and its various teams will unite as a single global team managed by The Orchard CEO Brad Navin.The unified company will offer local staff and services in more than 30 markets worldwide. In the U.K., it was recently announced that Sony Music’s Essential business will be integrated into The Orchard. In North America, RED, Sony Music’s U.S. independent services company, will be merged into The Orchard. All current RED distribution label managers and account executives will become part of The Orchard team and relocate to The Orchard’s headquarters in New York.

“Our newly merged company is unique in structure, scale and reach. Coming together as one company that is both truly global and locally-focused will allow us to take the service we provide to our artist and label partners to the next level," said The Orchard CEO Brad Navin. "The Orchard is the only global comprehensive digital and physical distribution platform with its own delivery, sales, distribution and reporting systems built specifically for independent clients."RED MUSIC Launches As Indie Marketing, Label Services FirmSony's RED brand will live on as a new global independent music marketing and label services firm. Led by President Bob Morelli, RED MUSIC will provide marketing, promotion, product management and label services support to existing U.S. label clients distributed through The Orchard, in addition to offering services to non-Orchard artists and labels.