Universal Music Group has taken over PIAS, a major player in Europe’s independent music scene.
PIAS will continue to operate under the leadership of Kenny Gates, who insists, “I am selling my shares not my soul,” and assures that their artists are benefiting from this new alliance with UMG. The deal includes PIAS’s own labels like Play It Again Sam and partners such as Mute and Heavenly. Their service arm, Integral, which used to handle distribution for big indie names like Beggars Group and Secretly Group, is also part of the package. However, those two groups have now teamed up to form Cargo Independent Distribution, set to launch in 2025. Meanwhile, Virgin Music Group is joining forces with Integral.
Fans often wonder about these big business moves; they can be exciting yet confusing at times.
Michel Lambot shared he was initially unsure if working with UMG would work out but was pleasantly surprised by their shared love for music: “But,” he mentioned happily, “I’m happy to say I was wrong—our two companies have lots in common including teams that share a real passion for music and our relationship to date has been fruitful, convivial and everything we hoped it would it be.”
Kenny Gates also reassured everyone that there won’t be any changes for current clients or partners on the cultural or business fronts.
When asked about potential job cuts due to this merger, both PIAS and UMG chose not to respond when Billboard reached out.
