Warner Music has announced that indie label B-unique - the label behind Kaiser Chiefs, The Automatic and The Ordinary Boys - will become a division of Warner owned Atlantic Records next February. The deal means that all artists signed to the label in the future will now be ultimately signed to Warner. It will also see B-unique expanding the services it offers its artists with the launch of a new management arm.
The deal will not affect existing signees though, some of whom are distributed via B-unique's relationship with Universal's Polydor. The label's founders, Mark Lewis and Martin Toher, will continue to lead the label alongside Atlantic UK President Max Lousada.
Here's what Lewis says: "This is a really exciting new chapter for B-Unique. We have been big fans of Max and Atlantic for some time and can't wait to start working with them. The move into artist management is something we have long been planning for. We feel we have a lot of experience to offer to artists. Whatever changes in the fabric and structure of this industry, we will always endeavour to be involved with quality artists with really good songs".
Lousada, meanwhile, told CMU: "I'm delighted to be welcoming Mark, Martin and the B-Unique artists into the Atlantic Records family. We place immense value on creativity, innovation and a true partnership approach here, so it's a natural home for the B-Unique team and the acts they work with. In addition to helping us broaden our repertoire, I believe their experience will be invaluable as we look to broaden our capabilities across the full range of artist services."