Canada's Quebecor acquires indie company Audiogram

By Emmanuel Legrand

Canadian media group Quebecor, through its division Quebecor Sports and Entertainment, has acquired Québec's leading independent music company Audiogram for an undisclosed amount. The transaction includes the record label and distribution unit as well as music publishing house Éditorial Avenue, Canada’s largest French-language music publisher.

  Audiogram was founded in Montréal in 1984 by Michel Bélanger and Rosaire Archambault and quickly became the largest independent music company in Québec. Philippe Archambault, who has led the company since 2015, will remain Audiogram’s General Manager and also becomes Vice President Music of Quebecor’s Sports and Entertainment Group. Daniel Lafrance, CEO of Editorial Avenue, will also stay at the helm of the publishing unit.

  "It was important to Rosaire Archambault and me to keep the music catalogue in Québec hands," said Bélanger. "I am confident that the artists will continue to enjoy outstanding support and the freedom to give full expression to their talent. Seeing our company acquired by a Québec-based owner that cares about Audiogram and will give it the respect and sensitivity it needs, with Philippe Archambault staying at the helm, is all I hoped for."

Preserve creative freedom

  Martin Tremblay (pictured, below), Chief Operating Officer of Quebecor Sports and Entertainment, said Quebecor will "preserve the artistic personality and creative freedom that have been Audiogram’s hallmarks since its inception." He added: "We are determined to support our creators and will continue producing diverse musical content and introducing new artists."

  Audiogram's roster includes recordings from Bran van 3000, André Gagnon, Isabelle Boulay, Jim Corcoran, Pierre Lapointe, Pink Martini, among others. Éditorial Avenue represents songwriters such as Eric Lapointe, Jean Leloup, Lhasa de Sela, Ariane Moffat, and is also the sub-publisher for Québec of catalogues such as peermusic France, Métisse Music or Sony Music Publishing France.

  In a LinkedIn comment, Lafrance said he was "not ready to retire" and that he believed that the deal will allow Audiogram and Éditorial Avenue to "retain their artistic integrity, their corporate values and their decision-making autonomy."

Commitment to Québec culture

  "We have been committed to Québec culture for decades and we are delighted to be able to continue supporting talented local artists with this acquisition," said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor. "Music is a source of pride and richness for Québec and we will continue to do everything we can to promote it and bring it to the widest possible audience. I want to pay tribute to Michel Bélanger and Rosaire Archambault, who have played such a pivotal role and will remain valued contributors to Audiogram."

  Quebecor Sports and Entertainment already owns Musicor and STE-4, headed by Anne Vivien, Executive Vice President, Music Development of Quebecor, and MP3Records, headed by Mario Pelchat.