Croatia Records
| Company type | Joint-stock company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Predecessor | Jugoton |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Croatia |
Key people | Želimir Babogredac (CEO) |
| Products | Music recordings, vinyl records, digital remasters |
| Owner | AUTOR d.o.o. |
| Website | crorec |
Croatia Records is a record label based in Croatia and owned by AUTOR d.o.o., with its main office located in Zagreb.
Summary
Croatia Records d.d. operates as a joint-stock company under the leadership of CEO Želimir Babogredac, who has a background in sound engineering. The label focuses on releasing popular music and represents a wide array of well-known Croatian performers spanning multiple genres, including Dražen Zečić, Arsen Dedić, Mišo Kovač, Josipa Lisac, Majke, Thompson, Maksim Mrvica, Crvena jabuka, Jelena Rozga, Novi fosili, Parni valjak, Dino Merlin, Giuliano, among others. Holding an estimated 70% share of the Croatian music market, the company also runs 30 retail outlets. As the heir to the former label Jugoton, Croatia Records possesses an extensive archive of audio and video materials and actively issues digitally remastered editions of classic Yugoslav pop and rock recordings. In line with the international resurgence of vintage formats, the firm has reintroduced vinyl records to its catalog.
History
Established in 1947 in Zagreb, then part of the People's Republic of Croatia, the enterprise was originally named Jugoton. It stood as the largest record label and operated the most extensive network of record stores across the former SFR Yugoslavia. Jugoton signed numerous influential ex-Yugoslav artists such as Indexi, Bijelo Dugme, Električni Orgazam, Haustor, Idoli, and Leb i Sol. Additionally, it secured domestic distribution rights for major international stars including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2, and David Bowie. The company maintained a broad retail presence throughout Yugoslavia. Several prominent Yugoslav representatives at the Eurovision Song Contest, notably the 1989 champions Riva, were affiliated with Jugoton.
Croatian independence
Amidst the political shift from socialism to parliamentary democracy in 1989 and Croatia’s subsequent declaration of independence, Jugoton underwent rebranding to become Croatia Records in 1991. The entity transitioned into state ownership under the newly independent Republic of Croatia before undergoing privatization. Since 2000, management has been entrusted to industry professionals operating through AUTOR d.o.o. Musician Miroslav Škoro assumed leadership in 2001 but stepped down in 2006.
Controversy
A dispute over royalties arose between Croatia Records and Branimir Štulić, former frontman of the rock group Azra, which was initially signed with Jugoton. Štulić alleges that Croatia Records owes him €12 million in unpaid royalties but has not initiated legal proceedings. Representatives from Croatia Records maintain that, as Jugoton’s legal successor, they rightfully control Azra’s catalog and regard Štulić’s claim as inflated. They also indicated that Štulić would be eligible to receive royalty payments from audio CD sales only upon joining the Croatian Composers' Society (ZAMP).
Acknowledgements
- Charter of the Republic of Croatia (2023), presented by Zoran Milanović
See also
References
External links
- Official website of Croatia Records
- Official site for Croatia Records Music Publishing
- Croatian Roots Music – traditional Croatian music series from Croatia Records
- Croatia Records on Discogs