Universal Music Group has cut a deal to become the exclusive distributor in the U.S. and Mexico for Fonovisa Records, a Latin-music imprint owned by Spanish-language broadcasting giant Univision Communications.
Pact, which also includes a Universal license for Fonovisa recordings worldwide, makes UMG the largest distributor of Latin music in the country -- surpassing longtime market leader Sony Music Entertainment, Universal claimed.
Fonovisa's roster of talent includes such multi-platinum Latin artists as Los Tigres del Norte, Conjunto Primavera, Marco Antonio Solís, Los Temerarios, Banda el Recodo, Los Huracanes del Norte and Los Angeles de Charly.
Over the past 18 months, Universal has gone from last among the majors in Latin music in the U.S., to a close second place, said UMG prexy and operating chief Zach Horowitz. "With the addition of Fonovisa Records, Universal becomes the clear market leader."
Universal has boosted its sales in the Latin market by 65% over the past year, the exec added.
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