Sony Music UK Romances Soforte

Sony Music UK has entered into an agreement with Nigeria ’s first automated distribution company- SoForte Entertainment Distribution to make Nigerian music available whenever there is a demand for it anywhere in the world. Music distribution is finally taking a better shape in Nigeria . According to their publicist- MME (Media & Marketing Experts), the working relationship with Sony Distribution for international retail distribution deal was sealed few days back at the corporate office of Sony Music in the UK . The relationship covers international standard packaging for labels and Artistes working with Soforte Distribution. Sony would ensure product supply to its partner retail stores worldwide as long as demands come from them.
According to Mr. Gbenga George, CEO of Soforte and an entertainment lawyer, this is the beginning of the dream Soforte has for the industry and it is in line with its blueprint. “Nigerians living abroad can go into any major or minor media retail store anywhere in the world to request for their favourite Nigerian Artiste’s works from the stable of Soforte. The standard of music and music video in Nigeria of today is international quality and that should reflect in the quality of our CD/DVD packaging and deserving of international distribution. We encourage Nigerians living overseas to make it a habit to go into retail stores and order for Nigerian Artistes works just like they would do for the foreign Artistes”.
The company plans to roll out the most advance distribution technology system this year, this promises to take the industry to a whole new level enough to attract high level investments from corporate organisations and individual. Amongst the things to look out for this year is an automated CD/DVD vending machine easier to operate than the popular ATM machine you see around today. These machines would be deployed all around strategic places in Nigeria making CD/DVD purchase easy for consumers. The good thing about this is that it guarantees original CD/DVD sale which would in turn guarantee royalty payment to Artistes and labels, and returns on investment to investors.
Also, Soforte would introduce, for the first time in Nigeria and perhaps Africa, Direct To Customer (DTC) purchase service, to music buyers anywhere in Nigeria within 24hours. Leveraging on its strategic alliance with TNT/IAS courier and its over 60 warehouse locations nationwide and its tailor made software developed by Maevva Solutions (an American company with a base in Nigeria), music consumers would only need to order for their favourite Artiste CD/DVD via mobile phones or internet and delivery would be made within 24hours to home, office, etc. This would finally bring to an end, the stress of purchasing music products anywhere you are in Nigeria and also ensure purchase of original products.
The new product packaging which is called ‘Platinum Collection’ would be introduced in the next few months and fans of 9ice and Lara George would be treated to international quality CD, which they can be proud of.
Soforte is presently in talks with several labels and at the point of closing distribution and licensing deals with them. The CEO further assures Nigerians that this is the beginning of a revolution in the entertainment industry in Nigeria . He considers it the biggest export in Nigeria comparable to oil, if not bigger in terms of image and branding effect.