Good old EMI have signed a licensing deal with the Walt Disney Company's Buena Vista Music Group which includes the entertainment conglom's record labels, Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Lyric Street Records and Mammoth Records. The deal means EMI will represent Disney's music interests in the UK, Continental Europe, South Africa and the Middle East.
Releases from the Hollywood Records and Lyric Streets labels, which count Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney, new rock signings Breaking Benjamin and US "country sensations" Rascal Flatts on their rosters, will be represented by EMI's newly-formed Angel Music Group. All the Disney soundtracks and stuff will go through EMI's snappily named Commercial Marketing And TV Division.
Confirming the deal, EMI top bloke Tony Wadsworth told CMU: "I am very pleased to have concluded this unique deal with Disney. The wide range of products contained within the Disney labels' catalogues requires a variety of skills and approaches, all of which are present across EMI's labels and divisions."
Buena Vista Music Group's chairman Bob Cavallo added: "This partnership presents us with exciting possibilities and a level of enthusiasm we haven't experienced before. With the exceptionally strong talent throughout our catalogue, coupled with amazing classics not found anywhere else, I am pleased that the EMI team will support our labels and promote all of our artists".