SANTA MONICA, CA (May 6, 2014) - Ethiopia Habtemariam has been promoted to President of Urban Music/Co-Head of Creative, UMPG US, as announced today by Evan Lamberg, President, North America, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Ms. Habtemariam will continue to co-head UMPG’s overall creative operations in the U.S. with Monti Olson, while further developing one of the top urban music divisions in the industry with her promotion to president of that division. She will be based out of UMPG’s worldwide headquarters in Santa Monica, California and will report directly to Mr. Lamberg.

Santa Monica, CA - Criterion Music Corporation has signed an exclusive worldwide music publishing agreement with songwriter and artist James Michael, as announced today by Bo Goldsen, President, Criterion Music Corporation, and Lance Freed, President, Rondor Music International. Michael is the lead singer, songwriter and co-founder of the rock group Sixx: A.M., which he formed with Nikki Sixx. He’s also worked with popular artists like Papa Roach, Kelly Clarkson, and Mötley Crüe, among others. Criterion’s deal with Michael marks the company’s first new signing since it was acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group last year. 

NASHVILLE, TN (March 3, 2014) - Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville (UMPG Nashville) has renewed its exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with hit songwriter Andrew Dorff, as announced today by Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville. Dorff has written songs recorded by some of country music’s biggest stars, including “Somebody’s Heartbreak” by Hunter Hayes, which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

Santa Monica, CA - Seventeen-time Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz, one of the most important and influential Latin singer/songwriters of the last two decades, has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), as announced today by Zach Horowitz, Chairman & CEO, UMPG. The multi-year agreement brings Sanz’ entire catalog of songs to UMPG, including the music on his first nine studio albums, as well as songs he writes in the future. Alejandro Sanz has sold over 23 million albums worldwide on his way to becoming one of the most successful global figures in contemporary music. Each of his nine studio albums has gone platinum in his native Spain, Latin America and the United States.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Executive Vice President Jennifer Knoepfle has been promoted to Head of U.S. A&R, it was announced today by UMPG Chairman & CEO Jody Gerson, to whom Knoepfle reports.  Knoepfle will continue to be based in the company’s Santa Monica headquarters and serve as an EVP of the company.