PolyGram

PolyGram was established on January 3, 1972. The company oversaw Phonogram International B.V. and Polydor International GmbH. It was formed following a reorganization of the "Grammophon-Philips Group". GPG was a joint venture between Philips Phonografische Industrie (PPI) and the Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, existing since 1962.

The Polygram name was not new though. It had been used by Philips' Belgian affiliate Polygram SA since 1962. The New Zealand Philips company too was named PolyGram Records Ltd from June 1970 until November 1972 (when it was renamed Phonogram Ltd.).

From 1978 onwards the Polygram name became more common as most of the Phonogram companies worldwide were renamed to Polygram.
The local Polygram companies handled all PolyGram labels, most notably Philips, Verve Records Mercury and Deutsche Grammophon. Over the years some of the companies also started using the Polygram brand as a label.

In 1985 Siemens reduced its stake in PolyGram to 10%. Two years later it sold its remaining stake to Philips' Gloeilampenfabrieken B.V. In 1989, Polygram completed a worldwide public stock offering, reducing Philips' ownership to 75%.

PolyGram acquired the recorded music and pub