The Orchard is a music, film, and video distribution, marketing, and sales company and top-ranked Multi-Channel Network that works with independent artists, labels, and other content providers to distribute content to hundreds of digital and mobile outlets around the world, as well as physical retailers in North America and Europe. The company was founded in 1997 by producer Richard Gottehrer and music manager Scott Cohen to foster independence and creativity in the music industry. The Orchard is fully owned by Sony Music Entertainment, but it operates separately from its parent company.