Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world’s leading music company and is
comprised of two core businesses: recorded music and music publishing.
The company discovers, develops, markets and distributes recorded music through a
network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and licensees in 77 countries, representing
98% of the music market. UMG also sells and distributes music video and DVD
products, and licenses recordings, encouraging the legal distribution of music online
and over cellular, cable and satellite networks. UMG includes Universal Music Latin
Entertainment, the world’s leading Latin Music Company. UMG's publishing
company, Universal Music Publishing Group, is the world's leading publishing
business; it owns and acquires rights to musical compositions and licenses them for
use in recordings and related uses, such as films and advertisements. UMG also
includes Bravado, its merchandising company, and Twenty-First Artists, its full
service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.
Universal Music Group International is the division that manages UMG's businesses
in countries outside of North America.
Interscope Geffen A&M
Combining the legacies of three significant record companies,
Interscope Geffen A&M embarked on a new tradition of musical achievement with
its combination on January 1, 1999, as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, the
global music leader. Headed by Chairman Jimmy Iovine, Interscope Geffen A&M is a
major force across a wide range of musical genres including rock, rap, pop,
alternative, Latin, gospel and soundtracks
The Island Def Jam Music Group
The Island Def Jam Music Group consists of Island Records
and Def Jam Recordings. Artists include such multiplatinum-
sellers as Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, The Killers, Ne-Yo, Young
Jeezy and Kanye West.
Universal Motown Republic Group
The Universal Motown Republic Records Group (UMRG) encompasses Universal
Motown Records and Universal Republic Records. UMRG chart-topping roster of
artists include Akon, Amy Winehouse, 3 Doors Down, Jack Johnson, Lil’ Wayne, Nelly,
Alter Bridge and Godsmack.
Universal Music Group Nashville
UMG Nashville consists of MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville
and Lost Highway. Together their roster of artists reads like a
who's who of Music Row stars, including Vince Gill, George Strait, Shania Twain,
Sugarland, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett, Willie
Nelson, and Lucinda Williams.
Decca Label Group
UMG is the market leader in today’s highly competitive
classical music market, with more than 40% of world sales in this genre. The Decca
Label Group is comprised of two divisions, Universal Musical Classical and Decca
Label Group, and is home to such diverse artists as Andrea Bocelli, Boyz II Men, Marc
Cohn, Elvis Costello, Paula Cole, and Meshell Ndegeocello among others.
The Verve Music Group
UMG owns the world's largest jazz recording company, The
Verve Music Group, including the premier jazz label Verve, which focuses on
traditional jazz; adult music label Verve Forecast; contemporary jazz label GRP; and
Impulse!, which focuses on reissues of its famed catalog, which includes legendary
artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane.
Universal Music Enterprises
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the centralized U.S.
catalog and special markets entity for UMG. Working in concert with all of the
company’s record labels, UMe provides a frontline approach to catalog
management, a concentration of resources, a greater emphasis on strategic
marketing initiatives and opportunities in new technologies such as the Internet.
Universal Records South
Universal South Records’ roster include critically acclaimed
artists as: Allison Moorer, whose performance of the theme song for The Horse
Whisperer earned her an Oscar nomination; Dean Miller (son of the late Roger
Miller); Bering Strait, a group of seven young musicians from Russia who are the
subject of the just completed full-length documentary film, “The Ballad of Bering
Strait,” scheduled for theatrical release later this year (directed by the award-
winning Nina Gilden Seavey); and Holly Lamar, who co-wrote the #1 smash hit
“Breathe” for Faith Hill, and whose debut album is being produced by Byron
Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill).
Universal Music Latino
Based in Miami, Florida, Universal Music Latino houses some
of the most prolific names in Latino music. Juanes, Café Tacuba and Luis Fonsi can all
be found on Universal Music Latino’s extensive roster.
A&M/Octone
A&M/Octone Records is a New York-based record label. The
label is a joint-venture with IGA/Universal Music Group and distributed worldwide by
the Universal Music Group. Featured roster artists include platinum acts
Maroon 5 and Flyleaf - as well as artist development breakouts K’Naan,
Michael Tolcher, Hollywood Undead, Dropping Daylight and more.
Classical & Jazz Repertoire
UMG is the market leader in today’s highly competitive classical music market.
Universal Music’s classical labels includes the world’s longest-standing recording
company and market leader, Deutsche Grammophon; the legendary Decca Records,
which owns and controls the greatest opera catalog in the world; and the Philips,
Emarcy, and ECM labels.
Among the distinguished artists represented on these labels are Claudio Abbado,
Cecilia Bartoli, Leonard Bernstein, Andrea Bocelli, Pierre Boulez, Alfred Brendel, Elvis
Costello, Renée Fleming, Juan Diego Florez, Valery Gergiev, Hélène Grimaud, Hilary
Hahn, Lang Lang, James Levine, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Anna Netrebko, Jessye
Norman, Luciano Pavarotti, Maria João Pires, André Previn, Sir Georg Solti, Bryn
Terfel, Herbert von Karajan, Rolando Villazon, Russell Watson, Hayley Westenra, and
Krystian Zimerman.
Universal Music includes the world’s leading Broadway catalog and contemporary
recordings under the Decca Broadway label with such titles as Wicked, Mamma
Mia!, Spring Awakening, The Boy From Oz, Cats, Evita, Les Miserables, Man From La
Mancha, Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, and Sunset Boulevard. Universal Music is
also responsible for the success of numerous original Soundtracks including The
Aviator, Gladiator, King Kong and Mamma Mia! as well as such Oscar-winning scores
as Elliot Goldenthal’s Frida, and James Horner’s Braveheart.
UMG owns the world's largest jazz recording company. The Verve Music Group
includes the premier jazz label Verve, focusing on traditional jazz; adult music label
Verve Forecast; contemporary jazz label GRP; and Impulse!, which focuses on
reissues of its famed catalog. The group’s unparalleled roster of current and catalog
artists include Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Brazilian Girls, Michael Brecker, John
Coltrane, Jamie Cullum, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Billie Holiday,
Diana Krall, Queen Latifah, Ledisi, Loreena McKennitt, Wayne Shorter, Nina Simone,
Susan Tedeschi, and Lizz Wright.
UMG has also entered the burgeoning business of classical artist management and
production with Universal Music Classical Management and Productions (UMCMP).
The company develops careers, creates distinctive live events and builds long-lasting
brands within the classical music field.
Music Catalog
Representing some of the most influential and legendary recording artists of this
century, UMG has the most extensive catalog of music in the industry including:
ABBA, Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Carpenters, Eric Clapton,
Patsy Cline, John Coltrane, The Commodores, Bing Crosby, Count Basie, Bo Diddley,
Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, The Four Tops, Judy Garland, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix,
Billie Holiday, Buddy Holly, The Jackson Five, The Mamas & The Papas, Bob Marley,
Nirvana, The Police, Smokey Robinson, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Sublime, The
Supremes, The Temptations, Conway Twitty, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, and The
Who.
Music Catalog Management
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the centralized U.S. catalog and special markets
entity for UMG. Working in concert with all of the company’s record labels, UMe
provides a frontline approach to catalog management, a concentration of resources,
a greater emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives and opportunities in new
technologies. UMe is comprised of several business units and record labels:
Universal Chronicles, the unit that manages and markets UMG’s extensive catalog
through retail channels; UTV Records, the television marketing unit; Hip-O Records,
its independent label that releases CDs and DVDs from outside sources; New Door
Records, a label dedicated to producing new music from historically significant
recording artists whose catalog is controlled by UMG labels; UMe Digital, the first all
digital label from a major music company; Universal Music Media, a company that
produces infomercials and long form music programming; Universal Music Special
Markets; and Universal Film & Television Music. UMe’s Strategic Marketing unit
supports all five areas and is designed to aggressively develop a cohesive and
strategic approach to maximizing catalog repertoire by initiating and implementing
integrated marketing campaigns, direct to consumer programs, brand management
initiatives and strategic partnerships.
Outside North America, the Universal Strategic Marketing division of Universal Music
Group International works to maximize the profile and value of UMG’s catalogue in
international markets. It acts as a service centre adding value through marketing
initiatives and coordination of commercial issues through local and international
markets.
Music Publishing
With 47 offices in 41 countries, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the
industry's largest global music publishing operation. UMPG represents music in every
genre from some of the world’s hottest songwriters and catalogs including U2, Elton
John, Bernie Taupin, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Coldplay, Nelly, Ciara, Dave
Grohl, Prince, Diana Krall, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Godsmack,
Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, No Doubt, 3 Doors Down, Beastie Boys, Anastacia, Robbie
Williams, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, Henry Mancini, Christina Aguilera
and Linkin Park, among many others. UMPG is also a global leader in the areas of
Production Music, Christian and Classical Music. For more information please visit
www.umusicpub.com.
New Technologies and Distribution Platforms
eLabs, a division of UMG, is responsible for handling the company’s electronic
commerce initiatives, Internet exploitation, and new technology business
opportunities worldwide. eLabs’ business development and business affairs staff
supports all of UMG’s e-business initiatives, including digital download, subscription,
webcasting, interactive radio and pay-per-play through all digital channels of
purchase. eLabs works closely with and supports all UMG’s record labels and other
businesses to enhance opportunities for music driven by new technologies, while
protecting the value of recorded music.
Bravado
Bravado, the only global, 360° full service merchandise company, develops and
markets high-quality licensed merchandise to a worldwide audience. The company
works closely with new & established entertainment clients, creating innovative
products carefully tailored to each artist or brand. Product is sold on live tours, via
selected retail outlets and through web-based stores. Bravado also licenses rights to
an extensive network of third party licensees around the world. The company
maintains offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Stockholm,
and partner companies in Berlin, Paris, Japan, Australia and South America. Now
under the Universal Music Group umbrella, Bravado is able to leverage a global sales
and distribution network from the world's largest record company, as well as the
group's significant marketing strength. Bravado artists include Kanye West, Gwen
Stefani, Beyonce, Elton John, Guns 'N Roses, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Tina Turner,
Iron Maiden, Alicia Keys, NKOTB, Nine Inch Nails, Dolly Parton and The Killers, among
many others.
Artist Services
Universal Music Group also includes some of the world’s leading full-service artist
management businesses, including Twenty-First Artists, Trinifold and 5B. Its live
music and event production divisions, responsible for booking and presenting talent
throughout the world, include Helter Skelter and All the Worlds.
Distribution
In the U.S., Universal Music Group Distribution has been the industry market share
leader for the past ten years and consists of four major divisions: Universal Music
Distribution (UMD), Fontana, Vivendi Entertainment (VE), and UMGD Digital. UMD
handles distribution and sales for UMG’s diverse roster of labels as well as a wide
variety of associated labels. Fontana is the company’s independent sales, marketing
and distribution arm, VE is its theatrical and home entertainment distribution
division, and UMGD Digital manages and distributes all of Universal Music Group’s
digital assets including mobile.
In some markets outside the U.S., UMG companies handle their own distribution and
sales. In other markets UMG companies have sub-contracted services to third parties
or entered into distribution join ventures with other record companies.