Saturdays Records

**Saturdays Records**

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Founded	August 2008
Founder	Emily Henning
Headquarters	London, England, UK
Key people	Henning; Alesha; Just Ginger
Industry	Music and entertainment
Revenue	$1.14 billion (2010)
Net income	Unknown
Employees	1,172 (2011)
Status	Closed (October 2010)
Country of origin	United Kingdom

Saturdays Records, also known simply as Saturdays, was one of the largest record labels in the music industry, originally founded by pop superstar Emily Henning. Headquartered in London, England, Saturdays was established in August 2008 after Henning parted ways with her former label Wired Records. In May 2009, China was announced as co-owner of the label, running the company alongside Henning and a board of directors, who helped fund its activities. In 2011, China announced an extended hiatus from her music career, stepping down as co-owner of Saturdays. Emily Henning also disappeared from the public eye, leaving Saturdays Records to Victor Strong as acting head of the label. Alesha purchased the label in July 2011, firing all of the company's previous employees. Just Ginger was named President of the label when Alesha also retired from music. The takeover of Saturdays quickly led to the company's downfall, with the label closing in October 2011 within three months of its takeover.

History[edit | edit source]

Saturdays Records was officially established on August 20, 2008. The first artists to be signed were founder Emily Henning and now-defunct girl group JADED. The label quickly signed many artists left without a home following the demise of Wired Records, including Alexis, Christine Tyler, and China. Saturdays went on to earn much success with its acts, becoming one of the largest and most successful labels in the recording industry. The label scored its first number one with Luke Ramada's single "Scapegoat" in November 2008.

In April 2009, the label underwent a complete overhaul of both its image and operation, including the launch of the short-lived Out of Control Music sub-division. A month later, pop singer China was named co-owner of the label. Shortly after she accepted the job, Out of Control Music was scrapped. China's first actions in her new role involved signing various new artists to the label's roster. In December 2009, the label released their first compilation album Saturdays Records: The Christmas Collection, the album peaked at #7 and sold over 200,000 copies. The single Do They Know It's Christmas? peaked at #8.

In 2011, China announced an extended hiatus from her music career, stepping down as co-owner of Saturdays. Emily Henning also disappeared from the public eye, leaving Saturdays Records in the hands of Victor Strong, who had previously been brought onto the main staff to help with maintenance in the absense of its owners. Alesha purchased the label in July 2011. Just Ginger was named President. The label's last number one was Ben Johnston & Elice Claire's single "Scattered Echoes" in June 2010. The label closed its doors on October 2010, after hemorraging money and support due to the ill will toward its new owners.