The Brief
Expansion Records has spent decades building a reputation as one of Britain's most respected independent soul labels, home to a catalogue that includes names like Jean Carne, Dexter Wansel and Booker Newberry III. But a rich musical legacy was being let down by a fragmented digital presence. The label was operating across two separate websites, which meant a split identity, unnecessary running costs and a confusing experience for fans, collectors and industry contacts trying to find one coherent home for the brand.
The Approach
Rather than starting from scratch, The Entertainment Bureau focused on consolidation and clarity. The two existing sites were merged into a single, unified platform that brought the brand story, artist profiles and e-commerce functionality together in one place. Every element of the new site was designed to reflect the label's heritage while giving it the technical foundation to compete in a digital-first market.
Alongside the rebuild, The Entertainment Bureau reviewed the label's underlying infrastructure, streamlining the e-commerce setup and correcting site configuration issues that had been quietly undermining trust and visibility. The result was a platform that looked as credible as the music it represented.
The Outcome
The impact was immediate and significant. Sales rose sharply within weeks of the new site going live, with growth continuing well beyond the initial launch period. Search visibility improved markedly, helping new listeners and collectors discover the label through organic search rather than relying solely on existing fans. The site also achieved a full Google Trust rating, a strong signal of credibility that has gone on to support broader marketing and outreach efforts.
Just as importantly, the label's running costs were reduced by moving away from a more expensive, underperforming e-commerce setup. Expansion Records now operates from a single, cost-efficient platform that gives the business room to grow without the overheads of maintaining two separate systems.
Why It Worked
The success of this project came down to treating Expansion Records' history as an asset rather than something to be redesigned around. The Entertainment Bureau's understanding of the entertainment and music sectors meant the brand's voice was preserved throughout, while a data-informed approach to design and technical strategy ensured the new platform actively worked to convert interest into sales, which have now seen a rise of more than 1,200% on investment.
For a label built on decades of authentic sound, the digital platform now finally matches the substance behind it.
The Entertainment Bureau works with businesses across entertainment, music, media production, film, publishing, broadcast and press to build digital platforms that reflect their brand and actively grow their business.