Mumbai: Warner Music Australia has acquired a majority stake in Peppermintblue Entertainment, an artist services company working in the fields of recorded music, artist management and touring.  Founded in 1999 by Pat "Smiley" Cleary and Wayne Pilkington, the company has enjoyed success with an impressive roster of acts such as Rogue Traders, Anthony Callea, The Androids, Amy Pearson, Erica Baxter and TV Rock, amongst others.

Effective immediately, Peppermintblue will become a division of Warner Music Australia and the team will be based in Warner Music’s offices in Crows Nest, New South Wales as well as its original Melbourne home. Some key projects that Warner Music and Peppermintblue will be focusing on in 2009 include recent signing Zoe Badwi, TV Rock, Adelaide Band, and The Sundance Kids as well as dance compilations on Peppermintblue’s Neon imprint.

Warner Music Australia & New Zealand chairman & CEO Ed St John said, "We are thrilled to welcome Peppermintblue and look forward to a productive partnership as we take their first-class roster of artists to new heights of commercial and creative success. As we continue to re-define what a music company is and does, this deal will help accelerate our ability to partner with acts across all aspects of their career. In addition, we will benefit from the resource and expertise of one of the most accomplished talent-spotting teams in Australia. Smiley and Wayne have a remarkable sense for pop talent combined with impressive commercial acumen and we’re convinced they’ll bring new ideas and great music to Warner Music."

Peppermintblue executive director Wayne Pilkington said, "We are excited by the opportunity to integrate with a global company like Warner Music. The music industry is experiencing a significant period of change and we felt strongly that engaging our business with a major label with a proactive business culture would have far-reaching benefits for both companies."