Phonogram Inc. was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. Phonogram was the name of a parent company that owned and or distributed many different record companies. In 1982, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram.
In the US, Phonogram's artists were generally released on Mercury Records, with some releases in parts of Europe issued by Vertigo Records and Philips Records. In 1997, all PolyGram units still using the Phonogram name were renamed Mercury Records. By that time, Mercury had become Phonogram's flagship label. PolyGram continued until 1998, when the company was purchased by Seagram and merged with Universal Music Group, now owned by Vivendi.
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