EMI CMG Distribution has announced an expanded relationship with CanZion Group LP. Effective immediately, CanZion will represent the distributor’s complete new release schedule and catalog, including all English titles, to CBA member stores serving the Latino community in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“Previously CanZion primarily focused on our Spanish product, so this will be a great opportunity for all of our titles,” said Greg Bays, senior vice president of sales and marketing for EMI CMG Distribution. “We are looking forward to working together to serve the Latino CBA stores.”

Luis Quinelli, CEO of CanZion Group, is “very pleased” with the arrangement.

“Together, we will be working to transform the way that we serve the Latino Christian community in the United States and Puerto Rico,” Quinelli said. “In our expanded role, we have strategically designed a way to service the entire EMI CMG Distribution catalog to the stores in these markets through CanZion Group LP.  This new development is a wonderful opportunity to continue to bless the growing Latino Christian community.”

With the expanded partnership, CanZion will offer a range of new marketing and sales services exclusively to their Latino customers. Expanded services will include increased focus on the top English- and Spanish-language new release and core inventory titles. 

A wide range of CD and DVD products also will be made available and prominently highlighted as a newly developed feature on CanZion's website, www.canzion.com. CanZion will regularly update a list of best-selling core inventory titles for the benefit of Latino CBA accounts and will provide additional resources such as in-store DVD loops and other marketing and sales materials.

CanZion was founded in 1987 by Marcos Witt for the purpose of producing and distributing Spanish Christian Music in Mexico and subsequently other countries. In 2000, the organization became a parent company and owner of subsidiaries such as CanZion, a music label and distribution company; Instituto CanZion, a school for worship leaders and music ministers; Lidere, a leadership organization; CanZion Editora, a music publishing entity handling songwriter royalties; CanZion Eventos, a concert and event company for CanZion label artists; CanZion Films, a film production and distribution company; and CanZion Digital, a company that has developed “Nuhbe,” the first digital Spanish Christian music downloading platform.