MUMBAI: Strengthening its hold on indie music, Sony Music Entertainment has acquired Century group of labels, one of the world’s largest independents.

Post the acquisition, the German hard music company Century Media Records’ founder Robert Kampf will serve as CEO of the Century Group and oversee its worldwide operations.

While Sony Music failed to disclose financial terms of the agreement, media reports peg the transaction at $17 million. Through the arrangement, Sony Music will further grow in Rock, prog and metal market.

The Century Group has artists ranging from genres like rock, prog rock, heavy metal, alternative, post punk and hardcore which will help strengthen Sony Music’s presence in the space.

The acquisition will allow Century Media to maximise promotion and marketing of Century artists across physical and digital channels worldwide, due to the unified resources.

As per the deal Sony Music will distribute releases from Century’s labels like Century Media, Another Century, InsideOut, Superball, and People Like You through RED Distribution in the U.S. and Sony Music International around the world.

RED Distribution president Bob Morelli said, “We are thrilled to be further strengthening our successful partnership with Robert Kampf and his great team through Sony Music’s expanded global relationship with Century Media. Century is one of the best hard rock labels in the business and Robert is an accomplished executive who understands the genre like few others.”

Sony Music Entertainment International EVP Adam Granite added, “Robert Kampf is an excellent rock executive and successful entrepreneur and I am thrilled he and his talented roster of artists will be joining the Sony Music family. Together we have a tremendous opportunity to grow our respective hard rock and heavy metal businesses globally.”

Kampf said, “The future of Century is incredibly bright. The company I founded over 25 years ago is moving into its strongest chapter yet with the best music company in the world, Sony Music.”

The label was founded in 1989 in Germany and has been recognised as a label for metal, hard rock and hardcore.

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