Warner Music India (WMI) is increasing its presence in India’s leisure sector with the acquisition of a majority stake in digital media and music firm Divo.

Divo has a presence throughout all 4 South Indian language music markets. Monetary phrases of the acquisition weren’t disclosed in WMI’s Wednesday (February 8) announcement.

Based in 2012 and launched two years later, Divo is a digital media firm that gives on-line video, music distribution, publishing, digital and influencer advertising and marketing providers for manufacturers, celebrities and flicks.

Since its inception, the corporate has labored with labels, artists and musicians to assist distribute and monetize their content material throughout digital platforms, radio and TV stations.

Divo claims to carry a big share of the Tamil language music market and a justifiable share of the Kannada, Malayalam and Telegu music industries.

In 2022, the corporate launched greater than 30,000 songs. The corporate is led by Shahir Muneer, who based Divo as a startup YouTube Community.

Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India, expects the acquisition of Divo to strengthen WMI’s presence within the south of India, permitting the group to have “a very robust Pan-India presence.” Mehta joined WMI in March 2020 from Sony Music India, the place he served as Director of Digital Enterprise for various years.

“I’m so delighted that we’re capable of convey the Divo model below the Warner Music India banner,” says Mehta.

“Divo’s intensive portfolio is not going to solely bolster our core music providing in South India, however its total artist-influencer ecosystem will additional improve our general leisure footprint.”

Jay Mehta, Warner Music India

“Divo’s intensive portfolio is not going to solely bolster our core music providing in South India, however its total artist-influencer ecosystem will additional improve our general leisure footprint,” Mehta added.

Warner Music Group’s Indian arm has expanded its presence within the Indian market since its launch in 2020. The corporate has since partnered with corporations together with World Music Junction’s leisure agency JetSynthesys, Punjabi music firm Sky Digital, Bollywood specialist Ideas Music and Punjabi music specialist Ziiki Media.

WMI not too long ago ventured into Marathi and Gujarati music with the discharge of official movie soundtracks, bolstering its presence within the regional music scene. WMI additionally has a regional imprint with its sub-label Maati.

Alfonso Perez Soto, President, Rising Markets, Warner Recorded Music, described the corporate’s acquisition of Divo as a significant milestone for the group’s Indian journey.

“We opened for enterprise in 2020 and thru a collection of strategic offers and culturally related artist signings have quick established ourselves as a key participant out there. We’re excited to associate with Shahir and Vishu and the staff at Divo, who’ve constructed an incredible firm that operates on the intersection of 4 key music markets. Collectively, we’ll take South Indian music to a worldwide viewers,” mentioned Soto.

Shahir Muneer, Founder and Director, Divo, mentioned:  “It offers us immense pleasure to associate with Warner Music India.  Having the backing of a worldwide associate will put us on the map, serving to us to be a pressure to be reckoned with in terms of attracting expertise and purchasers.  Our music enterprise will profit from higher entry to Warner Music’s world footprint and that can assist us drive development for our artist and label companions.”

Divo Director Vishu Ramaswamy, added: “We’re glad to associate with Warner Music India for the following section of our development.

“Our ideologies and long-term strategy in the direction of enlargement in India linked in the fitting method and with this affiliation we’re certain that we are going to grow to be the largest leisure entity in South India.”

For Divo, the partnership marks its newest alliance with a worldwide music label. In September 2020, the corporate partnered with Sony/ATV Music Publishing to manage its publishing rights for abroad markets.

The partnership noticed Divo’s songwriters, composers and lyricists gaining access to Sony/ATV’s publishing and administration providers.

Music Enterprise Worldwide