Record company, record label and distributor, based in Holon, Israel.
Created by by Avi Brand in 1990. Closed circa November 2008.
Note: releases with YoYo Records logo and catalog number belong to YoYo Records (2), a BNE sublabel dedicated to electronic music. BNE can be added as record company, or if noted on release, as a distributor.
Formed in 1990, Brand New Entertainment initially representing Island Records in Israel. In December 1993, as a result of PolyGram's purchase of Island (as part of the Universal takeover), the catalogue was moved to Helicon, after successfully handling it for almost four years.
Since then BNE has signed exclusive licensing agreements with the Beggars Banquet group of labels (4AD, XL, Wiiija, Mantra, Nation, Mowax, Too Pure), Nova Media, Free Form, Jubilee Records, Jeepster, News, K7, Atomic, Spirit Zone, 3 D Vision, Ministry Of Sound, Union Square (Ocho, Metro, Manteca), Galaxy, Koch Entertainment.
In June 1995, BNE became truly independent, handling its own sales and distribution, establishing its identity as the only true "indie" record company in the country. It moved to a new location and became the largest record company without a "major", with a staff of over 20, including an international department, local artists department, promotion and marketing personnel, and its own warehouse and distribution network. BNE's distribution department services all the conventional retail outlets - record shops, music department in large stores, etc. In addition, in its search for new outlets for recorded music, BNE pioneered sales through, and secured the exclusive license to supply, the largest supermarket chain in Israel.
After the summer of 2008, difficulties arose for BNE. Layoffs and the closing of their distribution chain followed and the company went bankrupt around November 2008. Their catalog was purportedly sold to The Eighth Note.
Name variations:
- BNE - Brand New Entertainment
- B.N.E Ltd. Israel
