Sony Music Australia
The Australian arm of a global music giant, handling local operations for Sony Music.
Sony Music Entertainment Australia is the predominant record label operated by American parent company Sony Music Entertainment in Australia. Prior to 1995, SMEA published and distributed video games in Australia & New Zealand on behalf of Sony Imagesoft and Sony Electronic Publishing Europe, and briefly operated Sony's PlayStation business in Australia & New Zealand on behalf of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Sony Music Entertainment Australia, as of July 2017, also runs British multimedia Ministry of Sound Recordings' Australian operations on behalf of Sony Music UK, taking over from recently renamed TMRW Music, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Ministry of Sound until 2004.
Quick Facts
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- Music, Entertainment
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Lore & Background
Sony Music Entertainment Australia (SMEA) has a history that extends beyond just music. Before 1995, the label published and distributed video games in Australia & New Zealand for Sony Imagesoft and Sony Electronic Publishing Europe. It also briefly ran Sony's PlayStation business in the region on behalf of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. This shows the label's early role in bringing Sony's broader entertainment ventures to local audiences. In a more recent move, as of July 2017, SMEA took over the Australian operations of British multimedia company Ministry of Sound Recordings, acting on behalf of Sony Music UK. This came after the operations were previously handled by TMRW Music, which had been a wholly owned subsidiary of Ministry of Sound until 2004. This acquisition expanded SMEA's roster and influence in the Australian market.
Reader's Guide
Sony Music Entertainment Australia operates as the local branch of the global Sony Music network, handling a wide range of artists from AC/DC to Tones and I. Their current signed artists include major names like Guy Sebastian (Australian Idol winner, 2003), Daryl Braithwaite (also contracted to Columbia Records), and Midnight Oil. The label also manages the Australian operations of Ministry of Sound Recordings as of July 2017. Former artists on the label include a vast array of talent from Australian Idol and X Factor winners, such as Dami Im (X Factor winner, 2013), Jessica Mauboy (Australian Idol runner-up, 2006), and Stan Walker (Australian Idol winner, 2009). The label also previously handled releases for international acts like The Prodigy (1992-2004; licensed from XL Recordings) and The 1975 (under licence from Dirty Hit). SMEA operates several sub-labels including Columbia Records/CBS Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Ariola Records, and others, each with their own rosters of artists. This structure allows the label to cater to different genres and markets within Australia.
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