Dear UMPG Family:
We are reaching out to trusted and valued partners throughout the globe to inform you that, despite our good faith efforts over the last several months, we are at an impasse in reaching a licensing agreement with TikTok and our current agreement ends tomorrow.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the leading, global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that buzzing British producer, songwriter and composer Danny L Harle has been signed to an exclusive, global administration agreement.
Fast-rising talent Harle has been making waves across music, having most recently co-written and co-produced Dua Lipa’s brand new hit “Houdini,” her highest debuting single on Billboard 100 to date. In just weeks since release, the song reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, #2 on UK Singles, peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has more than 68 million Spotify streams. On top of this, Harle received his first Grammy nomination with long term collaborator Caroline Polachek’s on her second album, ‘Desire, I want To Turn Into You’ which he co-executively produced.
UMPG is thrilled to announce its family of songwriters, artists and producers received widespread recognition in the 2024 GRAMMY Awards nominations. The leading, global music publisher saw its creators pick up an outstanding 108 nominations across genres.
Universal Production Music, a division of Universal Music Publishing Group, today announced the launch of Universal Music for Creators, a new subscription music licensing service that provides content creators with claim-free, premium music and sound effects for online videos at an all-inclusive price.
Under its innovative subscription model, Universal Music for Creators provides consumers with unlimited access to its pre-cleared music and sound effects library, starting at $5.99 per month. The program is packed with over 50,000 top-quality tracks and 200,000 sound effects, powered by a team that is constantly sourcing and creating the newest sounds to meet the dynamic needs of today's creators.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the leading, global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that Platinum singer/songwriter Sabrina Carpenter (Island Records) has been signed to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that multi-talented artist Fred again.. (Fred Gibson) has been signed to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global publishing division, today announced that superstar Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
Through the new agreement, UMPG represents the majority of Schwartz’ renowned catalogue. One of the most prominent composers in theater history, Schwartz has written songs for iconic Broadway hits WICKED (including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” & “For Good) – which has been adapted into a two-part major motion picture starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Schwartz is also the mastermind behind scores for GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING, RAGS, and CHILDREN OF EDEN, as well as young audience musicals CAPTAIN LOUIE and Disney’s MY SON PINOCCHIO.
UMPG is happy to welcome rising singer-songwriter David Kushner who has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. This deal was facilitated by publishing A&R Jennifer Knoepfle (EVP, Co-Head of A&R).
Based in Los Angeles, Kushner’s hit song “Daylight” has amassed a wide scope of success. “Daylight” accrued over 515 million streams on Spotify, 2.4 million videos on TikTok, and was ranked #1 as the most Shazamed song. The song also received a Gold certification from Music Canada, a Gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry, a Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association, and a two-times Platinum certification in Poland. The Chicago native got his start when his song “Miserable Man” went viral on TikTok and topped charts internationally across Norway, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
I write today to ensure you’ve heard the good news that the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) issued its Final Determination upholding the rate increases in the Phonorecords III case. This covers on-demand digital streaming royalties for the years 2018-2022.
We expect these escalating topline revenue rate increases to result in more royalties paid to songwriters and publishers. This is in addition to the topline revenue royalty rate increase resulting from the settlement between the DSPs and Publishers for 2023-2027 in the Phonorecords IV case. Under the Phonorecords IV settlement, topline revenue royalty rates increased are increasing gradually from 15.1% to 15.35%.
As a long-time champion of songwriters’ rights and protections, we are pleased with this result, but of course there remains work to do. We are fully committed to driving continued progress to ensure that songwriters are fairly compensated, and that your immense value is recognized.