NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra Music and Sony Music Entertainment today announced a groundbreaking new global strategic relationship covering A&R, distribution, international repertoire and more.

The venture creates a number of strong ties between Ultra and Sony Music, increasing opportunities for collaboration between Sony Music and Ultra artists. Recordings from Sony Music's dance music catalogue will be available for inclusion on Ultra's successful compilation series, further enhancing both companies' positions in the dance music compilation market. In addition, Sony Music will work closely with Ultra's dance and electronic artist management company Empire Artist Management (Adrian Lux, Benny Benassi, Julien Jabre, Alex Gaudino, etc) under the new arrangement.

Under the agreement, Patrick Moxey, President of Ultra Music, is named President, Electronic Music, Sony Music Entertainment. In this newly created global role, he reports directly to Doug Morris, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment. Sony Music will distribute releases from Ultra's recorded music division in North America via RED in the U.S. and Sony Music Canada, while outside North America, Sony Music International and Ultra will share resources to promote and market Ultra's artists worldwide. In addition, Ultra Music will help promote and market Sony Music artists in the U.S. and Canada on a project-by-project basis.

Commenting on the deal, Morris stated, "We are excited to expand our presence in Electronic Dance Music through this new global partnership with Ultra Music. Patrick Moxey is a fantastic music executive and a proven hitmaker in this important genre."

Moxey stated, "This is an exciting deal for Ultra and I have a partner in Doug Morris and Sony Music who understands our business and shares our ethos. The collaboration will continue to strengthen Ultra as a global brand at the forefront of electronic music, opening up new opportunities for both labels and will ensure that our artists will continue to receive an enhanced and seamless service."

About Ultra Music
Ultra Music is the world's leading independent electronic and dance music label whose YouTube channel boasts over one million subscribers and over two billion views to date. Its current roster includes North American artists Kaskade, deadmau5, Wolfgang Gartner, Steve Aoki, Tokimonsta, MNDR, DJ Muggs, Rosette and Jenson Vaughan and international artists Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi, Alex Gaudino, The Bloody Beetroots, Congorock, Above & Beyond, Adrian Lux, Alexandra Stan, Inna, Jim Carris and others.  Ultra Music has a global alliance with the Ultra Music Festival, with festivals slated for 2013  in the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Korea, and Croatia.  Ultra International Music Publishing, Empire Artist Management and the Ultra Music Library are affiliated entities.

About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Beach Street Records, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Kemosabe Records, Legacy Recordings, MASTERWORKS, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, Reunion Records, Roc Nation, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Verity Music Group and Volcano. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

SOURCE Sony Music Entertainment