Christian music company and book publisher Cook Media Global has acquired indie faith-based label Fair Trade Services, home to artists including Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Colton Dixton, MercyMe and Micah Tyler. The acquisition includes all of Fair Trade’s music recordings, song publishing, workforce and catalog. On Oct. 31, Fair Trade will become an independent subsidiary of Cook Media Global. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being publicly disclosed.
Fair Trade was launched as INO Records in 1999 by founder/CEO Jeff Moseley, and the company was renamed Fair Trade Services in 2011. Cook Media Global has previously acquired and developed Christian companies including Integrity Music in 2011, Standard Publishing in 2015 and Group Publishing in 2024. Fair Trade’s staff will continue to work from its current office space in Brentwood, Tenn.; Cook Media has signed a long-term lease for the space.
Blaine Barcus will continue as president of Integrity Music, where he leads the label and song publishing divisions. Integrity Music and Fair Trade will operate as separate entities under Cook Media Global.
Fair Trade Services’ artists have seen considerable success in terms of chart hits, touring and awards. At last week’s GMA Dove Awards, Winans picked up two wins, for gospel worship recorded song of the year, and for Christmas recorded song of the year, while Wickham won inspirational recorded song of the year and Christmas/special event album of the year. Wickham just earned his Billboard Hot 100 chart debut with a reimagining of Rich Mullins’ CCM classic “What An Awesome God.”
“Cultural and theological alignment are absolutely essential for a successful acquisition,” Cook Media Global CEO Bill Reeves said in a statement. “Fair Trade shares our passion and commitment to making Jesus known through media — whether it be music specifically, or other formats. Fair Trade’s success speaks to the talent, diligence and creativity of their artists and teams, and we are eager to have them join the Cook Media Global family so together we can reach even more people with the gospel.”
“We are excited to welcome Jeff and his leadership team of Darren Elrod and James Rueger, along with the entire Fair Trade staff,” Reeves continued. “Their reputation for serving and supporting artists and management teams is among the best in the industry.”
“I am beyond excited for this new chapter in the lives of our artists and employees,” Moseley said in a statement. “Cook Media Global, under the leadership of Bill Reeves in particular, shares the same heartbeat as Fair Trade and I can’t imagine a better place to lay the foundations for the future.”
“Fair Trade will continue to operate the way we always have; with a flexible and nimble mindset,” Moseley added. “With Cook Media Global committed to investing in the future growth of Fair Trade, I have the utmost confidence that this move will greatly benefit our artists and staff and will increase our impact and opportunities to share meaningful music with people around the world.”
Founded in 1875 by David Caleb Cook, Cook Media Global is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Integrity Music is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Also part of the Cook Media Global family are David C Cook and Group Publishing, both of which are industry leaders in faith-based books, curriculum and vacation Bible school programs.
