Diamante Music Group and Servant Music Distribution have
announced a merger agreement and the formation of a new distribution company,
Diamante-Servant Distribution. Bill Conine, Diamante founder, will continue
as president of the new organization, and Martha Sorensen, President of
Servant Music Distribution, will become CEO of the new company.
“This is a merger of two purpose-driven, faith-centered companies, who share
a common vision of evangelism through ministry-oriented music,” says
Sorensen. “We are excited about the possibilities this brings to our
industry and the labels we serve.”
The announced merger was made to the Diamante staff in California last week
on the eve of Diamante’s 8th anniversary. According to Conine, “It was very
clear from my first meeting with Martha at CBA last year that we shared the
same vision to supply music that can be used to speak to the current
generation regarding their relationship with Christ. Another important
element that drew us together was a shared commitment to keep both of our
companies Christian-owned. We both feel that it is important for our
industry to have an alternative distribution outlet for new and established
artists who want the covering of a Christian-owned and operated system.”
Servant Music Distribution was founded in March of 2000 when Sorensen and a
group of investors came together to form the new company. Sorensen’s vision
for Servant was to “create a home for those who want the choice to do
business in a committed Christian environment of spiritual partnership and
accountability.”
Diamante Music Group was formed in 1993 by Conine, a 26-year industry
veteran. The company has grown into a full-service distribution, sales and
marketing company. Diamante was the first company to bring Christian Punk
Rock, Gangsta Rap, Ska Bands, Hip Hop and Christian R&B to Christian retail
shelves. Urban music continues to be DMG’s best-selling genre. Diamante
houses labels such as Acappella Company, Metro One, Ministry Music, Rescue
Records, Tesh Media and Homeland Records, among others.
“Diamante-Servant will serve as part of an overall ministry chain, beginning
with the message created by the artist, and delivered by the retailer to the
consumer,” says Sorensen. “Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with the CBA
retailers to produce product for them that brings customers to their stores
and believers closer to the Lord. We are absolutely committed to their
success.”
The headquarters for Diamante-Servant will be housed in new offices now under
construction in the CNI Distribution Building in Nashville, Tennessee, while
maintaining offices at Diamante’s current location in Newport Beach,
California. The new company will have its first combined sales meeting in
California on May 4 and 5.
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