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Warner Music Buys Back Part of German Distributor Zebralution, Expanding Reach in Europe
Warner Music Group (WMG) has bought Zebralution Music from Bookwire, bringing part of the German distributor back under its ownership and strengthening its distribution services in Germany and Europe. The deal extends WMG’s efforts to expand the services it offers independent labels through ADA, its distribution and services business.
The price was not disclosed. WMG first acquired Zebralution in 2007 and sold it to its founders in 2017; Bookwire acquired the wider Zebralution business from GEMA in March 2026, before Zebralution Music was sold to WMG. The company’s co-CEOs, Konrad von Löhneysen and Sascha Lazimbat, will remain, and label clients will gain access to WMG’s technology, distribution, analytics and financial tools.
In short
- WMG has bought Zebralution Music from Bookwire.
- The deal expands its independent-label services in Europe.
- Zebralution’s co-CEOs and team will stay.
Explained simply
Warner Music Group is one of the world’s major record companies. Alongside releasing music by its own artists, it runs ADA, a business that helps independent labels distribute music and access services such as marketing and data tools. Independent labels release music outside the major record companies.
Zebralution is a German music distributor that helps labels make recordings available on streaming services and other platforms. Warner first owned Zebralution from 2007 to 2017, when it sold the business back to its founders; Bookwire later acquired the wider Zebralution business from GEMA, Germany’s music rights organisation.
The deal matters because distribution gives labels a route to reach listeners across different platforms and markets. Bringing Zebralution Music into Warner’s group links its German and European operations with the wider services Warner offers through ADA.
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