Los Angeles–based AECG (Alan Ett Creative Group) and the UK-based Cutting Edge Group have formed AE2 Music, a newly established co-venture that will market the music of both companies to the film, television and commercial industries. AECG company president and CEO Alan Ett and Cutting Edge Group managing director Phil Hope jointly made the announcement.
Through the AE2 Music co-venture, both AECG and Cutting Edge will retain the underlying rights to their respective catalogs. AECG and Cutting Edge have created reciprocal deals under which AE2 Music will market the catalogs in the UK while the AECG group of companies, including Opus 1 Music and Alan Ett Music Group, will represent the catalogs in the U.S.
Los Angeles–based AECG and London-based Cutting Edge Group are both pre-eminent full-service music and music service providers for the film, TV and media production communities. AECG, which recently expanded the scope of its worldwide entertainment activities through a partnership with Fuji TV’s Fuji Entertainment America Inc. (FEA), has produced music for thousands of network, cable and syndicated television shows, national TV and radio commercials, feature films, CD-ROMs, DVDs, video and computer games, and live stage productions. The Cutting Edge Group includes Air-Edel, the composer management arm representing world-class talent, including 2008 Oscar winner Dario Marianelli (Original Score for Atonement) among many others and the legendary Air-Edel studios founded by George Martin in the heart of London.
“We are delighted to create this partnership with the Cutting Edge Group,” says Ett. “Phil and I have talked about this for a long time, and this co-venture is the beginning of the realization of a vision of a truly international world-class music company. By working together we’ll be able to create a dynamic organization that is unparalleled anywhere in the world.”
Phil Hope, managing director of Cutting Edge, comments: “We are very excited about our new joint venture with AECG. AE2 Music will provide the UK with an exciting approach to the marketing of both bespoke and production music. In Alan and his team, we have a partner that matches our ambition and will help us move even further towards the aim of being the leading provider of music.”
Gareth Owen, formerly of Universal, BMG and Zomba Production Music, will head the London office of AE2 Music. “Where AE2 Music differs is in our adaptability,” Owen says. “We have a comprehensive collection of works already licensed under the MCPS and have the setup to create bespoke and tailored pieces. All music is offered at the highest quality and at competitive rates.”
For more information, visit Alan Ett Creative Group at www.alanettcreativegroup.com.
