Independent Italian distributor, record label and services company Artist First has announced a new strategic partnership with global artist development company AWAL.
Through this new partnership, Artist First’s roster of artists will benefit from growth and development support from AWAL, as well as access to the Sony Music-owned company’s worldwide global distribution services.
The deal with Artist First will strengthen AWAL’s presence in the Italian market, providing its artists with local marketing and promotional expertise. Artist First remains a fully independent company.
Founded in 2009 by Claudio Ferrante, Artist First is headquartered in Milan with a 50-strong team. The company spans the full spectrum of music business services, from physical and digital distribution to artist management, merchandising and live events through its concert division, A1 Concerti.
With over 275 gold, 140 platinum and multiple diamond certifications, along with more than 50 No.1 chart entries, Artist First has become a launchpad for a new generation of Italian talent. It has supported artists at the beginning of their career such as Salmo, Gemitaiz, Night Skinny and Dark Polo Gang, while also producing its own roster including Dardust, Gazzelle, Fulminacci and, most recently, Alfa.
AWAL’s roster ranges from rising artists to global acts, including Laufey, Little Simz, Jungle, Djo, Lil Peep, Gerry Cinnamon, CMAT, JPEGMafia, Tom Misch and more. Following the company’s acquisition by Sony Music, AWAL rapidly expanded its global reach with offices in 16 key music territories worldwide including India, Mexico, Spain, Nigeria, South Africa, Netherlands.
We share the dedication to developing and empowering artists
Lonny Olinick
Claudio Ferrante, founder & CEO of Artist First, said: “This new strategic partnership with AWAL will add global reach to our distribution and services capabilities, allowing the Italian artists we represent to engage with new markets and audiences around the world. At the same time, this alliance will enable us to develop new synergies with AWAL’s roster, leveraging A1’s fully integrated and holistic structure to create opportunities that go beyond distribution.
“With Artist First remaining fully independent and focused on providing artists with an environment in which to enjoy creative freedom, we will continue to live up to our name and always put the artist first. The AWAL team are also keen to tap into our proven expertise in Italy to create opportunities for their fantastic roster in this fast-growing market, and we are really excited about the possibilities that this new partnership holds.”
Lonny Olinick, CEO of AWAL, said: “Since our first meeting with Claudio and his team we have felt a strong alignment of principles between our two companies. We share the dedication to developing and empowering artists, and in combination we will be a powerful force for the Italian music industry.
“The Italian market is one of the most exciting in the world, with strong digital growth and a thriving local artist community, so now is the perfect time to innovate and bring new solutions to the market.”
PHOTO: (L-R) Claudio Ferrante and Lonny Olinick
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