UMG SNAGS JONAS BROTHERS FOR EUROPE, LATIN AMERICA, CANADA

Confirming numerous news reports, including our own, Universal Music Group has licensed the Jonas Brothers’ self-titled U.S. hit album from Hollywood Records for distribution in Europe. UMG’s EVP International Max Hole made the announcement.

Jonas Brothers will be released in Europe on the Polydor label, which plans to issue first single “S.O.S” in late May, and follow with the album in June. To coincide with the single and album setup, the group will be special guests on Avril Lavigne’s European tour, which kicks off May 26 and hits London June 4.

Said Hole: “We are thrilled to be working with the Jonas Brothers and the successful team at Disney’s Hollywood Records. This band is one of our key priorities for Europe, and we are keen on creating the same phenomenon in the region that has taken hold in the U.S.”

Commented Universal Music Operations President David Joseph: “If the reaction of the team at Polydor is anything to go by, this could be the biggest pop invasion to come over from the U.S. in many, many years.”

UMG will also distribute the album in Canada and Latin America.

Following the album's August release, the brother band rode a sold-out arena tour with Miley Cyrus past the million-unit sales plateau and more than 3 million track downloads. In January, Jonas Brothers announced a multi-million dollar, two-year touring deal with Live Nation, and their initial tour under the deal sold out in record time at every venue. Jones Brothers was the first release in the CDVU+ format, a recyclable multimedia package.