The acquisition is anticipated to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including competition authority approval in Germany. This deal will follow other recent acquisitions aimed at expanding WMG’s recorded music business, including Sodatone, the world’s premier A&R insight tool UPROXX, one of the most influential media brands for youth culture Spinnin’ Records, one of the world’s leading independent electronic music companies and Songkick, the live music and ticketing destination.

By joining WMG, we will be able to expand our international reach, explore new genres, reach new audiences, and take fan experience to a whole new level.” “Our team is made up of devoted fans who are curating the music, themes, and lifestyle brands that they know fellow fans will embrace. “It’s always been our goal to create the most authentic, exclusive products,” said Ernst Trapp. Welcoming EMP will be our latest move to expand our relationships with influencers across the globe.”

“It’s also a big part of how music has visible and physical impact on global culture and fashion. “In today’s streaming world, merchandise is still one of the best ways that fans can express their passions and personalities,” said Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, WMG. We look forward to bringing Ernst, Jan, and everyone at EMP into WMG’s growing family of brands.” “Their music-led expertise will give us great insight into what audiences love and what they want, and at the same time open up exciting new opportunities for our artists. “EMP has built a powerful lifestyle destination that will be a perfect complement to our global artist development and marketing strategies,” said Stu Bergen, CEO of International & Global Commercial Services, Recorded Music, WMG. The company operates a network of websites serving 18 European countries, with a community of millions of customers, and a fast-growing paid loyalty program. Beyond music, the company has established itself as a lifestyle e-tailer, offering merchandise from major entertainment brands such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter gaming brands such as Nintendo and PlayStation sporting franchises such as the NFL and alternative fashion brands such as Vans. The company is led by CEO Ernst Trapp and CFO Jan Fischer, who will continue to manage EMP as a fully staffed organization.įounded in Germany in 1986, EMP today offers fans merchandise from globally renowned bands such as Twenty One Pilots, Panic! At The Disco, Metallica, Motörhead, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Doors, and many others. Once the deal is complete, EMP will become a stand-alone, direct-to-fan business unit within WEA, WMG’s global artist and label services division headed by President Tony Harlow. EMP is currently owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York. Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire EMP Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH (EMP), one of Europe’s leading specialty music and entertainment merchandise e-tailers. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including competition authority approval in Germany.EMP To Remain A Stand-Alone Direct-to-Fan Unit Run By Current Leadership Team This deal will follow other recent acquisitions aimed at expanding WMG’s recorded music business, including the A&R insight tool Sodatone the media brand Uproxx electronic music label Spinnin’ Records and Songkick, the live music and ticketing destination. Last month, Warner Music Group completed a 180m deal to do just that, buying Germany-based music merch maker and e-tailer EMP Merchandising. “Our team is made up of devoted fans who are curating the music, themes, and lifestyle brands that they know fellow fans will embrace. The merchandise business is clearly booming, and affecting the US charts which is why there’s perhaps never been a more obvious time for a major music company to expand its merch capabilities. “It’s also a big part of how music has visible and physical impact on global culture and fashion.” “Their music-led expertise will give us great insight into what audiences love and what they want, and at the same time open up exciting new opportunities for our artists.”

Emp merchandising umsatz