Sony Music Entertainment has acquired Nordic dance label One Seven Music and appointed its co-founder Janus Barnewitz as Managing Director of Sony Music Denmark.
The acquisition builds on a 14-year partnership between Sony Music and One Seven Music, according to an announcement on Tuesday (March 24). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Barnewitz, whose appointment takes effect immediately, succeeds Henrik Daldorph, who is leaving the company after serving 20 years leading Sony Music Denmark.
Barnewitz will report to Sony Music President of Continental Europe and Africa, Daniel Lieberberg, and will be tasked with overseeing Sony Music Denmark’s overall strategy, A&R and creative development, as well as coordinate with Sony Music’s global teams.
Prior to the appointment, he previously served as Managing Director of disco:wax and No3, two labels acquired by Sony Music Denmark in 2012 and 2018, respectively. In those roles, he was credited with discovering and developing several Danish artists domestically and internationally, including rapper Gilli (MXIII), The Minds of 99, and Martin Jensen. The labels reached a 10% market share in Denmark under his watch, Sony Music said.
Barnewitz co-founded One Seven Music with Morten Vilhelm.
“Janus is one of the most forward‑thinking and culturally intuitive executives in the Danish music landscape.”
Daniel Lieberberg, Sony Music
Commenting on the development, Daniel Lieberberg, President of Continental Europe & Africa at Sony Music, said: “Janus is one of the most forward‑thinking and culturally intuitive executives in the Danish music landscape.”
“His ability to identify talent early and set up artists for long term success makes him the ideal leader for Sony Music Denmark. I am excited to see how he will help shape the next chapter of our strategy in the region.”
Lieberberg also commented on Daldorph’s departure, saying: “We want to extend our profound gratitude to Henrik Daldorph for his extraordinary contributions and leadership over the past 20 years. His vision, commitment, and strategic guidance have shaped Sony Music Denmark’s identity and success, laying the foundation for the company’s next phase. We wish him well for the future.”
“With the additional creative power of One Seven, we’re well positioned to drive growth, support our artists, and shape the next chapter of Danish music together.”
Janus Barnewitz, Sony Music Denmark
Barnewitz said: “I’m excited about the future of Sony Music Denmark and the opportunities ahead. With the additional creative power of One Seven, we’re well positioned to drive growth, support our artists, and shape the next chapter of Danish music together.”
The acquisition of One Seven Music comes as the Danish music market continues to grow, with the industry contributing DKK 16.3 billion ($2.53 billion) annually to Danish GDP, according to the Danish Artist Union last year.
Two weeks ago, Universal Music Nordics, a division of Universal Music Central Europe, unveiled a new operational structure unifying its units in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics.
The acquisition marks the latest for Sony Music, after the company bought Spookland — a Paris-based independent record label and publishing company that represents French singer-songwriter Jain — in February.
In January, Sony Music acquired Munich-based label F.A.M.E. Recordings and Nashville-based independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD).
Other major purchases over the past year include “a significant stake” in Elements Music, a Finland-based independent music publisher with a catalog of about 10,000 compositions; a portion of the catalog of Alofoke Music, the label founded by prominent Dominican Republic-based media personality Santiago “Alofoke” Matías; and the “full rights” to the popular Spookiz animated series.
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