• Proper Music Group appoints IDOL to manage its worldwide digital distribution
• Ramping up its digital offering, the deal means independence, impressive playlist data and strong international connections for the UK distributor

27 January 2017, London:- Proper Music Group, the UK’s largest independent distributor, has inked a deal with independent digital distribution company IDOL to manage its growing digital activity.

The partnership will enable Proper to enhance its current digital distribution to match its industry-leading physical distribution services. Proper’s digital label clients include Topic Records, Reveal Records, IRL, and Hide Inside, while the roster of Proper Records and Navigator Records, both wholly owned by Proper, includes Richard Thompson, Ian Hunter, Nick Lowe, Joan Baez and folk band Bellowhead.

Working with IDOL will allow Proper to offer an independent service from start to finish. IDOL’s sophisticated playlist data, which is rolled into refined analytics programming, will also provide Proper and its label clients with an even more expansive understanding of audience demographics and consumption patterns. Additionally, IDOL’s strong international links will broaden Proper’s networks.

Founded in 2006 by Pascal Bittard, IDOL is a Paris-headquartered music business specialising in digital distribution and technology services. Setting up a London office in 2015, the fast-growing French company is one of the few digital distributors that have developed their complete range of technical tools in-house.

The partnership will cement Proper Music Group’s reputation as a first-class, fully independent distribution group for both its physical and digital sectors.

Pascal Bittard, Owner and CEO of Independent Distribution On Line, said: “This partnership with Proper Music Group is certainly a milestone in our UK expansion and international development in general. We are thrilled to work with such a key and like-minded actor of the independent community and have no doubt about the great results our two companies can achieve together.”

Kameil Sattar, Head of Digital at Proper Music Group, added: “Our partnership with IDOL is an exciting step in the vitalising of our digital output. In keeping with Proper’s ethos, we are looking forward to working with such a well-respected independent digital distributor who can contribute so much to our company.”

Drew Hill, Managing Director at Proper Music Group, remarked: “It’s great to be partnering with such a proudly independent organisation as IDOL. Proper are wholly committed to providing exemplary digital services to our label clients, and this partnership will ensure we can deliver that.”

About Proper Music Group
Proper Music Group is a full services company providing everything from global physical and digital distribution to artist and label services, publishing, online retail and its own record label. Clients are able to tap into as much or as little of Proper’s offering as fits their needs.

Its distribution arm, Proper Distribution – the largest totally independent distributor in the UK – is renowned for having the knowledge, experience and personal service of an independent specialist coupled with the reach and power of a major. The company represents over five percent of the UK physical recorded music market, handling over 1,000,000 titles at any time.

Latest accounts show the year to 31st March 2015 was one of Proper’s best yet with profits of £200,000– nearly three times that of the previous year – and an overall turnover of over £21 million.

Proper is listed in the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2015 report compiled by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
www.propermusicgroup.com

About IDOL
IDOL is a totally independent digital distributor with offices in Paris, London and New York. Constantly expanding, the company now counts 30 people and has become over the years one of the major specialists in the global digital market.

Following a unique selective approach, IDOL offers a high level of marketing resources and personalised attention to label partners. This includes focused expertise on streaming and playlist revenue optimisation, YouTube channel management and community management coaching. IDOL also provides cutting edge technology with a highly effective back-office data reporting system.

Additionally, among its recent developments, IDOL now offers international physical distribution through a network of trusted partners.

In parallel, IDOL also operates as a technology provider for 3rd party record labels and distributors enabling them to manage all digital operations in full autonomy.
http://www.idol.io