Distribution Select and Outside Music Distribution, two of Canada’s leading independent distributors, are joining forces from December 1, 2018.
Select and Outside will merge their sales and distribution services, while maintaining independent offices in Montreal and Toronto, respectively.
Outside Music will continue to be operated by Founder and President Lloyd Nishimura, while Select, lead by Vice-President Christian Breton, will continue to head up the Montreal Select team and oversee the combined efforts of Outside and Select.
Select also has satellite offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
Outside was founded in 1995 by Lloyd Nishimura and is headquartered in Toronto.
It is also is also a label and management company that has worked with dozens of successful Canadian recording artists.
Nishimura will continue to operate the Outside Music Label and Management company, alongside label President Evan Newman.
Select Distribution is the largest independent distributer of CDs and videos in Canada, and is the dominant player in the Quebec market, with over 65% of the French music share in the province according to Soundscan.
Select represents a catalogue of over 8,200 audio titles and 12,700 video titles, and services over 2,770 points of sale across Canada.
It is headquartered in Montreal, with offices in Toronto and Vancouver. It is a division of telecommunication and media giant Quebecor Media.
“As a combined force, we can enhance our label support, and maintain great service to our retail partners.”
Christian Breton, Distribution Select
“This coming year we celebrate 25 years of supporting great artists and amazing labels,” said Lloyd Nishimura, Founder and President, Outside Music.
“We are happy to announce an alliance that will allow for continued support of our artist and label partners for years to come.”
Christian Breton, Vice-President, Distribution Select added: “I spent 14 years of my career working at Outside Music, and have immense respect for their commitment and their longevity.
“I know that, as a combined force, we can enhance our label support, and maintain great service to our retail partners.
“We can also offer new labels an excellent alternative in both the French and English markets, particularly those that remain dedicated to a physical sales presence.”
The merger between the two Canadian indies follows the recent news of high-profile consolidation in the distribution sector elsewhere in the world, with Believe having acquired one the biggest independent distribution companies in Europe – Groove Attack GmbH – for an undisclosed fee.Music Business Worldwide
