Keeping Some Dark Secrets

Long-time readers may recall from when we covered Johnny Foreigner signing to its current label Best Before Records [story here] that the label is the bottom rung on a corporate ladder of which the top rung is UK media and entertainment consortium MAMA Group. Actually, for that metaphor to work we suppose the entire ladder is MAMA. But either way, this is no longer the case, as on Feb. 1 it was disclosed that the UK-based music and video retailer HMV (“his master’s voice,” seriously) had acquired a controlling interest (56.4%) in MAMA. While the two previously had an existing partnership for ticketing and merch sales, terms of the new deal between the two companies are complicated [press release here], but unless we are missing something, the acquisition of the controlling interest means HMV now owns Best Before Records as well. What does this mean for Johnny Foreigner (and Glaswegian labelmates Dananananaykroyd)? Frankly, we don’t know. HMV’s top executive was quoted saying “[t]he acquisition represents a further significant step for HMV as we continue the transformation of our business begun in 2007… Building on the successful platform created by the formation of our joint venture with MAMA just over a year ago, we will be embarking on exciting new growth plans for the Group in live music and ticketing.” “Live music and ticketing” doesn’t seem to include record labels or artist services for Johnny Foreigner. To speculate, in the continuum of possibilities we suppose the acquisition could lead to something like tour sponsorships or heavier promotion at retail (well, at least at HMV stores). Time will tell, but the fact that Johnny Foreigner is self-releasing the vinyl version of its forthcoming single “Every Cloakroom Ever” does little to clarify how the deal affects Best Before and the band. The digital version of “Every Cloakroom Ever” is released tomorrow to digital storefronts. We just visited our go-to North American-serving stores and the single is not yet available there (sometimes those things pop up early; not this time, however). [UPDATE: We've received a couple comments that we haven't approved because they say things that should really be coming from an official source. If an official source wants to comment to us on the record, our email address is in the sidebar. Cheers.]

More Reading:
Guardian.co.uk: HMV to enter live music market
Guardian.co.uk: HMV beefs up bid for live-venue group Mama
Billboard.biz: HMV, Mama Group Launch ‘Next Big Thing’ Fest

Filed under: Johnny Foreigner by Jay