LosAngeles-based independent Echo Bridge Entertainment is consolidating its NorthAmerican distribution enterprise with the announced merger of leading NorthAmerican home entertainment distributor Platinum Disc Corporation and its2,000-title library.

TheWisconsin-based Platinum Disc Corporation will become Platinum Disc, asubsidiary of Echo Bridge Entertainment, and will continue to operate as beforewith its 225 staff intact.

"This deal goesa long way towards reaching our goal to become one of the top independent,fully integrated worldwide distribution companies in the entertainmentbusiness, and we are very excited to bring such a dynamic and successfulcompany as Platinum Disc into the Echo Bridge family," Echo Bridge managingpartner Michael Alexander said in a statement.

Platinum Discfounder and chief executive officer Dave Thompson predicted the merger wouldcreate "a major force" in the industry. Thompson becomes an Echo BridgeEntertainment board member.

Platinum DiscCorporation says that over the last three years it has increased business by240%, and is a major supplier to large North American retailers like Wal-Mart,Best Buy and Circuit City.

Platinum's library titlesinclude Long Walk Home starringWhoopi Goldberg and Sissy Spacek, and License To Kill starring Denzel Washington, among others.