2008-08-18 23:45:03 -
www.theorchard.com - The Orchard Deana Graffeo, 646-237-3780 dgraffeo@theorchard.com Following its July 2008 purchase of TVT Records, a leading U.S. independent record label, The Orchard, a global leader in digital music and entertainment services, today announced the hire of veteran music distribution executive Michael Bull. Bull will serve as the General Manager of TVT Distribution, The Orchard's newly unveiled physical distribution
platform.
An extension of The Orchard's core digital media distribution business, TVT Distribution will offer physical distribution to select independent label partners at highly competitive rates. A well-known brand to labels and retailers alike, TVT Distribution will also leverage The Orchard's established global operations across 27 countries to enable turnkey, integrated digital and physical marketing and promotion across formats and geographies. In addition, this new offering ensures The Orchard directly engages with important brick and mortar CD retailers as these companies continue to develop their digital music products.
Bull, one of the most respected independent music executives in the industry, joins The Orchard after a successful 16-year career with Caroline Distribution. After starting with Caroline as an intern in 1990, Bull rose through the ranks to become Vice President of Label Relations, a position he has held since 2001. Throughout his tenure, he was responsible for scouting, signing, and helping to develop many of Caroline's label partners.
"TVT's robust and respected physical distribution operation enables The Orchard to ensure our independent label partners have a choice, and aren't inhibited from the digital distribution partner they prefer simply because they remain tethered to their physical distributor," said Greg Scholl, President and CEO of The Orchard. "In Michael, we found the ideal leader - his skills, relationships and deep knowledge of physical retail will ensure our labels remain healthy across all formats in which their music is sold."
"The Orchard is a visionary company with a unique understanding of the modern distribution space, and its challenges. I believe in their commitment to offering real and unique solutions to help labels maximize their distribution of physical records," said Bull. "While I'll always be grateful for the wonderful people and labels that I've been privileged enough worked with over my years at Caroline, I'm very excited for the future and its opportunities. I look forward to applying my years of experience to ensure that TVT Distribution prospers."
Mr. Bull grew up in and around Portland, Maine, and graduated from Wesleyan University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies with a concentration in Minority Studies.
About The Orchard(R)
The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD) controls and globally distributes more than 1.2 million songs and over 3,000 hours of video programming through hundreds of digital stores (e.g. iTunes, eMusic, Google, Netflix, V CAST) and mobile carriers (e.g. Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Bell Canada, 3). With operation in 27 countries, The Orchard drives sales for its label, retailer, brand, and agency clients through innovative marketing and promotional campaigns; brand entertainment programs; and film, advertising, gaming and television licensing. A pioneer in digital music and media services, The Orchard fosters creativity and independence. For more information, please visit us at www.theorchard.com.
The Orchard is a registered trademark and The Orchard logo is a service mark of Orchard Enterprises NY, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding The Orchard's expectations regarding future events and operating performance within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the ability of The Orchard to integrate and capitalize on the TVT assets. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements as they speak only as of the date hereof, and The Orchard undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances except as may be required by law. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in The Orchard's most recent periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Caroline VP Moves to Helm The Orchard's Newly Unveiled TVT
Distribution Platform
