Hal Leonard chairman and CEO Keith Mardak, and Robert Wise, chairman and managing director of the Music Sales Group, today announced the formation of Music Sales America (MSA), a new joint venture between their two companies created to expand the availability of Music Sales publications in North America.
With creative input from both publishers, MSA will produce publications which Hal Leonard will exclusively distribute throughout North America. As part of the long-term deal, Hal Leonard will also gain exclusive distribution rights to the entire catalog of Music Sales Corporation, and the publishers it represents. Barrie Edwards will remain the president of the US-based Music Sales Corporation.
Music Sales Corporation publishes songbooks and sheet music for many of the most respected artists in popular music, including AC/DC, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and many others. They boast a backlist of more than 6,500 titles, and publish over 100 new US r
Robert Wise |
eleases a year.
MSA will also distribute in North America publications from the classical imprints within the Music Sales Group, including Bosworth & Co., Chester Music, Novello & Company, J. Curwen & Sons, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, and Unión Musical Ediciones.
Comments Wise, "This development represents the latest chapter in the long and successful history of Hal Leonard and Music Sales working together. The formation of MSA will allow us to expand the volume, availability and distribution of Music Sales product in North America. Hal Leonard is not only our proven partner, but also the print publisher with the most extensive distribution network."
Mardak states, "Music Sales is the largest print publisher in Europe, with a distinguished history and a vigorous output of new titles. We are thrilled with this new deal, which will help two thriving and distinctive publishers create new products and make the most efficient, cost-effective use of their respective resources."
