V2 Music Group · London United Kingdom

Some companies are so hip all they need is a letter and a number. V2 Music Group promotes a roster of up-and-coming artists including Phoenix and The Black Keys, as well as more established bands such as Mercury Rev. The Stereophonics were one of the first bands signed to the label. The company's Co-Operative Music subsidiary is V2's international marketing and distribution organization that provides support to independent labels. V2 Music is a subsidiary of music giant Universal Music Group. Virgin Records founder Sir Richard Branson founded the firm in 1996 after selling his popular music label to EMI Group. V2 previously operated as part of Branson's Virgin Group until it was sold to Universal in 2007.  To read the full description, subscribe now.