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New Universal deal brings much of Sinatra catalogue under one roof
By Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 30 October 2013
Universal Music yesterday announced a new alliance with Frank Sinatra Enterprises which will see the mega-major take over distribution of the late singer’s Reprise catalogue worldwide, in doing so bringing together much of Sinatra’s catalogue under one roof.
Universal already represents Sinatra’s albums made for Capitol in the 1950s, which came to the company via its acquisition of EMI. Although the major has distributed the later Reprise records outside North America since 2009, in the US the catalogue was worked by Rhino, the catalogue label of Warner Music, which is a partner in the FSE business.
The new deal, bringing together all but the earliest Sinatra albums (made for Columbia and still controlled by Sony), will enable the creation of a new Signature Sinatra imprint and the instigation of a re-release and marketing programme in the run up to what would have been the singer’s 100th birthday in December 2015.
Confirming the new deal, Universal boss Lucian Grainge told CMU: “Frank Sinatra’s music is iconic and enduring, and we are honoured to be selected to build on our success working with FSE and the Sinatra family with exciting and innovative products marking the centennial celebration under a new ‘Signature Sinatra’ imprint worthy of his rich legacy”.
Meanwhile Robert Finkelstein, Co-Chairman of Frank Sinatra Enterprises, said: “This new arrangement will allow FSE to present Sinatra’s music in a coordinated and consistent manner, and enable more cohesive catalogue initiatives, at a time when access to music is ubiquitous and more instantaneous than ever before”.