More major label diversification, anyone? SonyBMG Australia has moved into artist management through the acquisition of a 50% stake in a Sydney based company called Caplice Management, who manage various Australian performers, some of whom have risen to fame through the Australian Idol TV show, and most of which are signed to SonyBMG labels, some to a JV record label set up by Caplice and SonyBMG called Random Records. Among the artists represented by Caplice are David Campbell, Human Nature, Damien Leith, Young Divas, Dean Geyer, Paulini Curuenavuli and Tammin Sursok.
Caplice Management's founder David Caplice confirmed the deal last week, saying in a statement: "With a bigger infrastructure we can now develop more artists and careers and help our established acts, like Human Nature and David Campbell, find more opportunities here and overseas. It's a very exciting time for our business".
SonyBMG Australia is also reportedly in talks to take a stake in a second management firm, plus is also in the process of setting up a live music division which will be launched sometime early next year.