Melodicon S.P.A.

Italian record company, founded in Milan on 8 October 1952 by Manlio Baron, former commercial director of Philips-Radio Società Anonima Italiana in the 1930s. In 1953 the company entered into an agreement with Philips, becoming its representative in Italy (in the specialized literature the company is frequently mentioned as "Italian Philips"). Its first headquarters was in via Cerva, 39; then, after the agreement with Philips, in Corso Matteotti, 2; later, in via Filippo Turati, 8. Melodicon S.P.A. also operated a record plant, located in via Benadir, 14, named Compagnia Industriale Fonografica (AKA CIF), as well as a recording studio. In 1960 the company launched its own label: Melodicon. In 1962 the via Benadir facilities were enlarged, in the perspective of incorporation of Philips and Siemens in a single company. Upon this incorporation, on January 1, 1963, Melodicon S.p.A. changed its company name to Phonogram S.P.A. Even after the termination of Melodicon S.P.A., the Melodicon label and the record factory as well will continue to operate under the umbrella of Phonogram S.P.A.