Universal Music Publishing Group

American music publishing company

Universal Music Publishing Group

Headquarters in Santa Monica

Industry| Music industry
Predecessor| BMG Music Publishing
PolyGram Music Publishing
MCA Music Publishing
Founded| 1972; 53 years ago (1972)
1999; 26 years ago (1999)(Name change)
Headquarters|

Santa Monica, California

U.S.

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

* Jody Gerson (chairman and CEO)
* Marc Cimino (COO)
* JW Beekman (CFO)

Services| Music publishing
Parent| Universal Music Group
Divisions|

* Universal Production Music
* Universal Music - Z Tunes LLC (ex-Zomba)
* Universal MGB Publishing (ex-BMG)
* Universal Songs of PolyGram
* Songs of Universal, Inc.

Website| www.umusicpub.com
Former headquarters in Santa Monica

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is a global music publishing company and is part of the Universal Music Group. Universal Music Publishing has been ranked the #1 music publisher in market share by Billboard for multiple consecutive quarters.[1]

The company is home to major songwriters and artists, including Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Rosalía, Steve Lacy, Elton John, Adele, SZA, Harry Styles, Post Malone and more. UMPG has recently made historic catalogue acquisitions, including Bob Dylan, Sting, and Neil Diamond.[2] UMPG's catalogue consists of over four million songs, with offices in 40 countries.[3][4]

## History

[edit]

UMPG was formerly known as MCA Music Publishing. MCA had been in the music publishing business since 1964, when it acquired Lou Levy's Leeds Music.[5] In 1979, MCA acquired ABC Records and its catalog was added to MCA Music Publishing. In the 1990s, MCA Music Publishing expanded by acquiring catalogs such as All Nations Music and the publishing of Interscope Records and Manny Records.[6]

MCA merged with PolyGram in 1998 when Seagram acquired PolyGram for $10.4 billion.[7] PolyGram's music business was merged into Seagram's MCA Records. The merger was effected in January 1999, forming a new company named Universal Music Group. The merger also included both record labels' music publishers.[8] The PolyGram catalog included Dick James Music, Welk Music, Cedarwood Publishing, and Sweden Music.[9]

In August 2000, UMPG acquired Rondor Music from Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss for roughly $400 million. It included former music publishing arms of A&M Records, I.R.S. Records, Stax Records, and Shelter Records, as well as Sea of Tunes. The purchase added 60,000 copyrights to Universal's library.[10]

In 2006, Universal Music Publishing Group acquired BMG Music Publishing from Bertelsmann Music Group for €1.63 billion, back then the third largest publishing group in the world, making Universal Music the largest music publisher in the world. It included the catalogs of Éditions Durand and Casa Ricordi and former music publishing arms of Benson Records and Zomba. As part of the acquisition of BMG Music Publishing, Universal divested the catalogues of Zomba UK (and the European rights to Zomba USA), Rondor UK, 19 Music and BBC to a new company named Imagem (now part of Concord Music Publishing).[11] Sony/ATV Music Publishing overtook Universal Music Publishing as the world's largest music publisher in 2013 after acquiring EMI Music Publishing.[12]

On May 7, 2013, UMPG acquired American music publisher Criterion Music Corporation.[13]

On January 1, 2015, Jody Gerson was named the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, becoming the first woman CEO of a global music company and the first female to run a major music publishing company.[14][15] Gerson made history as the first publishing executive and first woman to be named Billboard's 'Executive of the Year' for their Power 100 list.[3] She was also named Variety Hitmakers' Executive of the Year in 2019.[16] In December 2015, she was named Executive of the Year by Billboard Magazine in its Women in Music issue.[17]

In 2018 Disney Music Publishing and UMPG expanded their business relationship to the continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Israel and Ireland, as well as countries in the Caribbean and Africa.[18]

In March 2023, UMPG was ranked No. 1 on Billboard's Publishers Quarterly on the Hot 100 for the third consecutive quarter, which is taken from official Hot 100 chart data. Additionally, the portfolio publisher made history holding more than 30% market share for the past three quarters, a record that has not been achieved by any publisher since 2014.[1][19]

On February 27, 2024, TikTok announced that its license to use UMPG's catalogue would expire on March 1. At the beginning of February 2024, Universal Music Group had removed its entire recorded catalogue from the app.[20]

## Services

[edit]

UMPG is the music publishing partner of many film/TV studios globally, including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Disney Europe (and other territories), Viacom, Amazon, HBO, DreamWorks, DreamWorks Animation, Legendary Pictures, MarVista Entertainment, NBC, and Sesame Workshop, among many others.[21]

UMPG administers the 60,000 title Rondor Music Catalog and also owns or administers a multitude of others including: Interscope and Def Jam Music, WildBrain, Amazon MGM Studios and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, All Nations Music, Charlie Daniels, Casa Ricordi, Matraca Berg, DreamWorks Animation, HBO, Paramount Global (excluding CBS and Showtime Networks), Warner Bros., Sesame Street, Lionsgate,[22] Disney Music Publishing,[23] Forerunner Music, Epitaph Records, Greenwich/Barry, Momentum Publishing, and John Philips. UMPG also owns or administers the works of Leonard Bernstein and Henry Mancini, and Dsign Music.

## International

[edit]

UMPG has 48 offices across 40 countries around the world.[4] Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ is based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[24] Marianna Annas, former Head of ABC Music Publishing until January 2020, is as of June 2021[update] Vice President, Commercial & Creative at the company.[25][26]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Is Top Songwriter; Sony, Universal Duel as Top Publishers – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
2. ^ "Jody Gerson to Receive 2023 Ralph Peer II Award From International Music Publishers". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
3. ^ a b "Jody Gerson, Billboard's Power Executive of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
4. ^ a b "Gibson Announces Brand Partnership with Universal Music Publishing in China". KramerGuitars.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
5. ^ "MCA BUYS LEEDS, MUSIC PUBLISHER; Entertainment Concern Gets Assets and Copyrights". The New York Times. November 26, 1964. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
6. ^ "Billboard". November 29, 1997.
7. ^ "Seagram buys PolyGram from Philips for $10.6bn". independent.co.uk. May 22, 1998. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
8. ^ "CMJ New Music Report". CMJ Network, Inc. March 22, 1999. Retrieved April 4, 2018 - via Google Books.
9. ^ Hardy, Phil (March 17, 2014). Nickels & Dimes: Music Publishing & It's [sic] Administration in the Modern Age (Music Publishing And How It Works). Omnibus Press. p. 174\. ISBN 978-0-85712-877-5.
10. ^ "Universal Music Agrees to Acquire Rondor in $400 Million Stock Deal". Wall Street Journal. August 3, 2000.
11. ^ "European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Mergers: Commission approves Universal's proposed takeover of BMG's music publishing business, subject to commitments". europa.eu. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
12. ^ "Zach Horowitz Appointed Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group | Billboard". Billboard.biz. April 18, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
13. ^ "Universal Music Publishing Acquires Criterion Music Corp". Billboard.
14. ^ "Jody Gerson: the first female CEO of a major music company". Music Business Worldwide. August 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
15. ^ "No. 8: Jody Gerson - Power 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
16. ^ "Five Years In, How Hitmakers' Top Executive Jody Gerson Remade UMPG in Her Image". Variety. December 5, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
17. ^ "Women in Music 2015: Jody Gerson Named Executive of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
18. ^ "Universal Music Publishing Group and Disney Music Group expand relationship". www.umusicpub.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
19. ^ "UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP CELEBRATES NO. 1 MUSIC PUBLISHER RANKING FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE QUARTER". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
20. ^ "TikTok has ALREADY started removing Universal's music publishing catalog from its platform". February 27, 2024.
21. ^ "Universal Music Publishing Group Guide". Music Gateway. August 22, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
22. ^ "Lionsgate & UMPG Sign Exclusive Long-Term Agreement". Billboard. August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
23. ^ "UMPG and Disney Music Publishing partnership goes global". musicweek.com. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
24. ^ "Our company". Universal Music Australia. August 6, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
25. ^ Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (2020). "Directors' Report" (PDF). Annual Financial Report 30 June 2020 (Report). AMCOS. p. 1.
26. ^ Brandle, Lars (January 13, 2021). "The Wiggles sign global deal with Universal Music Publishing Group". The Industry Observer. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Universal Music Publishing Group US
* Universal Music Publishing Group UK
* Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ
* Universal Music Publishing Group Italy
* Universal Music Publishing Group Germany
* Universal Music Publishing Group Netherlands
* Universal Music Publishing Group Spain
* Universal Music Publishing Group Sweden

* v
* t
* e

Universal Music Group

People|

* Lucian Grainge
* Sherry Lansing
* James Mitchell
* Manning Doherty
* Bill Ackman
* Philippe Flageul
* Jody Gerson
* Boyd Muir

Interscope Capitol Labels Group|

| Capitol Music Group|

* Capitol Records
* Blue Note Records
* Astralwerks
* Harvest Records
* SharpTone Records
* Capitol Christian Music Group
* ForeFront Records
* Sparrow Records
* Priority Records

|

Interscope Geffen A&M Records|

* Interscope Records
* Geffen Records
* A&M Records
* Nuclear Blast Records
* Blood Blast Distribution
* Interscope Films
* Aftermath Entertainment
* Darkroom
* Dreamville Records
* Kidinakorner
* Lost Highway Records
* Shady Records
* Cinematic Music Group
* Downtown Records

|

Verve Label Group|

* Deutsche Grammophon
* Decca Records
* Decca Classics
* Mercury KX
* Impulse! Records
* Verve Records
* Verve Forecast Records

Republic Corps|

* Republic Records
* Motown
* Quality Control Music
* Rowdy Records
* Motown Gospel
* Mercury Records
* Cash Money Records
* Young Money Entertainment
* SRC Records
* American Recordings
* Boominati Worldwide
* Brushfire Records
* Casablanca Records
* Federal Films
* Lava Records
* Universal Arabic Music
* XO
* Out of Line
* Def Jam Recordings
* Island Records

Virgin Music Group|

* Virgin Records
* Caroline Records
* Fontana Records
* Neon Gold Records
* Sumerian Records
* V2 Records
* PIAS Group
* PIAS Recordings
* A24 Music

UM Latin Entertainment|

* Capitol Latin
* Disa Records
* Fonovisa Records
* Machete Music
* Universal Music Latino
* Universal Music México

MCA|

* MCA Nashville
* Mercury Nashville Records
* Capitol Records Nashville
* EMI Records Nashville

UM Australia|

* Island Records Australia
* Golden Era Records
* Modular Recordings
* Mercury Records Australia
* EMI Music Australia

UM Japan|

* Polydor Records
* EMI Records
* Universal D
* Eastworld
* Virgin Music
* Def Jam Recordings
* Mercury Tokyo
* Universal Classics

UM UK|

* EMI Records
* Capitol UK
* Island UK
* Motown UK
* Polydor Records
* 0207 Def Jam
* Universal Music On Demand

UM Greater China|

* Capitol Records China
* EMI China
* PolyGram Records China
* Republic Records China
* Universal Music China
* Universal Music Hong Kong
* Universal Music Taiwan

UM France|

* Capitol Music France
* Decca Records France
* Island Def Jam
* MCA France
* Polydor France
* Romance Musique
* PIAS France
* Virgin Records France

UM Philippines|

* Def Jam Philippines
* EMI Records
* Island Philippines
* Republic Records Philippines
* UMG Philippines

Universal Music Africa|

* U-Live Africa
* Motown Gospel Africa
* Def Jam Recordings Africa
* Universal Music Group Nigeria
* Universal Music South Africa
* Blue Note Records Africa
* Virgin Music Africa

Other UMG labels|

* Universal Music Enterprises
* Hip-O Records
* Universal Music Indonesia
* Universal Music Malaysia

Publishing division|

* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Universal Production Music

Film/TV units|

* Eagle Rock Entertainment
* Grace - A Storytelling Company
* PolyGram Entertainment
* Universal Music Animation
* Vevo

Non-UMG distributed labels|

* Big Machine Label Group
* Disney Music Group
* Hollywood Records
* S-Curve Records
* Walt Disney Records
* Roc Nation
* ECM Records
* Dew Process
* Nickelodeon Records
* Because Music
* London Recordings
* Ed Banger Records

| International third-party licensees|

* Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment))
* Helicon (Israel)
* Tuff Gong (Caribbean)
* YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels))
* Musica Studios (Indonesia)

|

* v
* t
* e

Music industry

Major companies
and organizations|

| Representatives|

* AMPROFON
* ARIA
* BVMI
* BPI
* Music Canada
* FIMI
* IFPI (worldwide)
* PMB
* PROMUSICAE
* RIAA
* SNEP

|

Publishers|

* BMG Rights Management
* Sony Music Publishing
* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Warner Chappell Music
* Disney Music Publishing

Record labels|

* Major: Sony
* Universal
* Warner
* Independent: Concord
* Independent UK record labels
* AAMG

Retailers|

* Amazon
* Digital music stores (iTunes Store)
* Fnac
* HMV
* Kaspien
* Virgin Megastores

Live music|

* CTS Eventim
* Live Nation
* LiveStyle
* Ticketmaster

Major genres|

* Blues
* Country
* Easy listening
* Electronic
* Experimental
* Folk
* Gospel
* Hip hop
* Jazz
* Latin
* Metal
* New Age
* Pop
* Reggae
* Rhythm and blues
* Rock
* World

Sectors
and roles|

* Album cover design
* Artists and repertoire (A&R)
* Disc jockey
* Distribution
* Entertainment law
* Music education
* Music executive
* Music and fashion
* Music journalism
* Music publisher
* Music store
* Music venue
* Musical instruments
* Professional audio store
* Promotion
* Radio promotion
* Record label
* Record shop
* Road crew
* Talent manager
* Tour promoter

| Production|

* Arrangement
* Songwriter
* Composer
* Lyricist
* Conductor
* Disc jockey
* Hip hop producer
* Horn section
* Record producer
* Rhythm section
* Orchestrator
* Session musician
* Backup singer
* Ghost singer
* Vocal coach
* Ghostwriter
* Sound engineer

|

Release
formats|

* Single (Extended play (EP), 12" single, Cassette single, CD single, Maxi single)
* Album
* Double album, Mixtape, Surprise album
* Music video
* Visual album
* Promotional recording
* Phonograph record
* Eight-track
* Compact cassette
* CD
* DVD
* Airplay
* Music download
* Music streaming service

Live shows|

* Concert
* Concert tour
* Concert residency
* Music festival
* Music competition

Charts|

* ARIA Charts
* Billboard Hot 100
* Billboard Argentina Hot 100
* Billboard Brasil Hot 100
* Canadian Hot 100
* Circle Chart
* G-Music chart
* Irish Singles Chart
* Italian singles chart
* GfK Entertainment charts
* Entertainment Monitoring Africa
* Oricon charts
* New Zealand singles chart
* Rolling Stone Top 100
* Sino Chart
* TME Physical Album Sales Chart
* SNEP singles chart
* Sverigetopplistan
* UK singles chart

Publications|

* Billboard
* HitQuarters
* Hot Press
* Kerrang!
* Mojo
* Musica e dischi
* NME
* Q
* Rolling Stone
* Smash Hits
* Top of the Pops

Television|

| Channels|

* Channel V
* CMT
* Fuse
* Mnet
* MTV
* MTV2
* Tr3s
* MuchMusic
* The Music Factory
* Viva
* VH1
* The Country Network

|

Series|

* Idol franchise
* Popstars
* Star Academy
* The Four
* The Voice
* The X Factor
* Rising Star

Achievements|

* Music award
* Best-selling music artists
* In: Brazil
* Finland
* Germany
* Japan
* United Kingdom (Females)
* United States
* Genre:
* Gospel
* Latin
* Nationality:
* Belgian
* Brazilian
* British
* Italian
* Swedish
* Best-selling albums
* by country
* Latin
* Best-selling singles
* by country
* Highest-paid musicians
* Highest-grossing live music artists
* Highest-grossing concert tours
* by women
* Latin
* Highest-grossing benefit concerts
* Most-attended concert tours
* Most-attended concerts
* Global Recording Artist of the Year
* Wealthiest musical artists

Other|

* Album era
* Album-equivalent unit
* A-side and B-side
* Backmasking
* Bootleg recording
* Christian music industry
* Environmental impact
* Global Release Day
* Hidden track
* Largest music deals
* Largest recorded music markets
* Most expensive albums
* Most valuable records
* Music certification
* Parental Advisory
* Record sales
* White label

* Record production portal
* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz label

|

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