Penguin Group to Launch a Classical Music Label

Posted on March 17, 1998

The Penguin Group announced plans to launch a new classical music label in conjunction with London Records and its sister labels, Philips, Deutsche Grammophon, and Verve all wholly-owned subsidiaries of the PolyGram entertainment group.

Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Penguin Group, said he hoped to see a launch of the new series before the end of the year, probably starting in the US and the UK. He commented "We said last year that building the value of the Penguin brand would be a priority. Books and classical music have a natural affinity, and we're delighted to be exploring the commercial potential of this link with the best names in the music business."

Penguin Books is one of the world's foremost publishers of English-language consumer books, in both hardback and paperback. It owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks in addition to publishing in its own name, and also produces maps, audio books and other media products. The Penguin Group is a subsidiary of Pearson plc, the international media group.