Believe S.A. provides music distribution and marketing services for artists and labels worldwide. The company's physical and digital distribution services include a range of digital music services and video streaming, as well as a network of physical distribution partners. It also provides trade marketing, video, sync, and additional services; and technology and analytics for clients to manage and promote their catalog. Believe S.A. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

History

Beginnings

The company was founded in 2005 by Denis Ladegaillerie, Arnaud Chiaramonti and Nicolas Laclias.The company operates from its global headquarter in Paris, and was introduced on Euronext marketplace in June 2021. Believe also has a subsidiary in Luxembourg which serves as a hub for the digital distribution.

Growth

Believe's expansion was fuelled by $60m growth capital investment from Technology Crossover Ventures and XAnge. In August 2016, the company acquired the French independent label Naive Records for €10m, seeking to improve value from the company's extensive back catalogue, and restarted the label's issuing of new recordings as physical CDs in 2017.

In 2021, Believe generated $682M in annual revenues, increasing compared to the previous year.The company has embarked on an expansion drive in developing digital music markets such as Russia and India.

Believe has been accused of copyright trolling, particularly on YouTube, where it has been alleged to engage in claiming copyright for works that are either copyright free or that they do not own the rights to. The company was the subject of a New York federal lawsuit alleging that they were behind large scale, willful copyright infringement.

Acquisition

In 2015, Believe announced the acquisition of Musicast. The same year, TuneCore, the U.S. digital distribution company is acquired by Believe Digital.In 2016, Believe acquired Naïve.In 2018, Believe finalized the acquisition of the German metal label Nuclear Blast, another German label Groove Attack and took 49% stake in Lili Louise Musique. In September 2018, Believe acquired a 49% stake in French indie label Tôt ou Tard from Wagram Music.

In 2019, Believe acquired Mumbai live event production specialist Entco, and rebranded the company “Believe Entertainment”. The same year, Believe acquired three other Indian companies : Bollywood music specialist Venus Music Private Ltd, Entco Music Private Ltd. and Canvas Talent Private Ltd, India-based artist services, development and booking company, specialized in services for artists. In the same year, Believe took 49% stake in 6&7 SAS.

In 2020, the company acquired a majority stake in the DMC label in Turkey, for €18.8 million, a stake in Ircam Amplify, an entity of the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique/Musique , and the assets of SoundsGoood, specialized in the creation of playlists on streaming platforms.In 2021, Believe took a 25% stake in Play Two, France's leading independent music label and a subsidiary of the TF1 group. The same year, Believe acquired 15% stake in Philippines-based Viva Music And Artists Group, 51% stake in French Indie label Jo&Co, and a 76% stake in South India-based label Think Music.

Mission

Believe's mission is to give independent artists the same access to professional resources, marketing opportunities and world-class services, as traditionally signed artists.

Vision

To create a stable and sustainable digital music ecosystem, where independent artists can compete and thrive.

Key Team

Solange Viegas dos Reis (Chief Legal Officer)

Segolene Moreau (Chief Communications Officer)

Vincent Ducrohet (Chief Marketing Officer)

Sandrine Bossard (Chief People Officer)

Mr. Gideon Mountford (Global Head of Digital Retail)

Mr. Alex Kennedy (Managing Director - UK)

Anne Adamo (Chief Financial Control Officer)

Recognition and Awards

We have won numerous awards for innovation and service excellence, recognition for our role in transforming the music industry, and for our efforts to empower and enable independent artists worldwide.