London, 8th June 2022
Proper Music Group, part of the Utopia family, and Naxos UK, part of Naxos Music Group, the global classical music specialist, have unveiled a new logistics deal.
Spanning UK and Ireland, the agreement will see Proper oversee storage, picking, packing, delivery and cash collection for the UK subsidiary of the classical music giant, which boasts a large share of the UK classical music market.
Naxos currently distributes more than 35,000 classical music titles, bringing cornerstone classical repertoire to the UK market and, at the same time, shining a light on lesser-known and marginalised composers. The deal, which commences 1st September, will cover Naxos’ own labels, including Naxos, Capriccio, Dynamic, Ondine, Orfeo, SWR and Opus Arte, as well as leading independent labels like Hyperion, Chandos, BIS and CPO.
This deal also marks a step forward in terms of reducing emissions. Combining Naxos’ product with Proper’s deliveries means less music miles and packaging, reducing the carbon footprint and improving retailer experience (this follows Proper’s deal with Bertus earlier this year, which will also lower emissions through fewer warehouses and less product movement).
Matthias Lutzweiler, Deputy CEO of Naxos Music Group stated: “The Naxos Music Group is delighted to announce its collaboration with Proper which has earned an enviable reputation for its professionalism and efficiency. This agreement will allow Naxos Music UK to continue its focus on sales, marketing and promotion of its distributed labels, in the knowledge that its logistics is in safe hands. The cooperation between the two companies is a logical development for both companies and we look forward to working with Drew and his team from 1st September.”
Added Proper Music Group MD and VP Physical Distribution Utopia, Drew Hill: “I am pleased to be working with the world’s leading classical music group to further broaden our reach within the classical sphere. Handling logistics, our deal with Naxos UK also marks a step towards reducing the UK music business’s carbon footprint, as we streamline deliveries and ensure less music miles. I’m greatly looking forward to the deal commencing in September”.
About Naxos Music Group
Since its inception in 1987, Naxos has evolved from its beginnings as a budget label to a leading classical music group. Headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution and marketing subsidiaries in 15 countries worldwide, the group distributes its Naxos record label, Naxos AudioBooks as well a number of other owned labels and provides distribution and licensing services to more than 400 independent and major classical CD and DVD labels. The Naxos Group is also an industry leader in music education boasting a wide range of physical and digital educational products. Digital platforms operated by the group include the Naxos Music Library, Naxos Music Library/World and /Jazz, Naxos Spoken Word Library, Naxos Video Library and Naxos MusicBox subscription services. Please visit www.naxosmusicgroup.com.
About Proper Music Group
Proper Music Group, part of the Utopia Music family, is a full services company providing everything from global physical and digital distribution to artist and label services, publishing and D2C. Clients are able to tap into as much or as little of Proper’s offering as fits their needs.
Its distribution arm, PMD – the UK’s leading physical distributor – is renowned for its specialist knowledge and personal service coupled with wide market reach and influence. In 2022, it received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.
Distributing for over 1500 independent labels and service companies including Absolute Label Services, ADA, AWAL, Believe, Cherry Red, Concord, Epitaph, Hospital, INgrooves, Kartel, Orchard, Redeye, RSK, Snapper and SRD, the company collectively represents 12% of the UK physical recorded music market.
Proper Music Group received The Company Award: Diversity In The Workplace at the Women In Music Awards 2017, and was also awarded Best Distributor at the Music Week Awards in 2012, 2010 & 2009, as well as Best Sales Team in 2020 & 2017.
www.propermusicgroup.com
