Universal Music Publishing Group was named Publisher of the Year at the 35th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles. This is the first time that UMPG has earned this recognition.
The company’s songwriters contributed to 22 of ASCAP’s Most Performed Pop Songs of 2017. Special honors were given to Steve Mac who was awarded Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year for “Shape Of You.” Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” was awarded Most Streamed Song of the Year.
On UMPG’s recognition, Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson said: “ASCAP Publisher of the Year really belongs to our songwriters and to our devoted team across the globe. Each and every one of you plays a part in our collective success, and we are enormously grateful to you. To all of the writers in the room… you are breaking industry barriers, moving culture and giving a voice to humanity through your songs."
Gerson also acknowledged industry-wide efforts in support the Music Modernization Act.
“Let’s take an important moment to thank everyone who has worked so tirelessly and come together in one unified voice on the Music Modernization Act -- Beth, Paul and the staff at ASCAP; the NMPA and David Israelite; the teams at the other PROs; the songwriter groups; the RIAA and label groups; and even our digital partners. We still have a ways to go, but this is what we are all fighting for everyday – making sure songwriters get paid fairly. This is a truly historic moment.”
UMPG Songwriters Wins for ASCAP’s Most Performed Songs of 2017
Bad and Boujee – Quavo
Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt
Bounce Back – Big Sean, Jeremih
Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Despacito – Justin Bieber
Feel It Still – Asa Taccone
I’m The One – Justin Bieber, Quavo
It Ain’t Me – Selena Gomez
Let Me Love You – Justin Bieber
No Promises – Demi Lovato, Emma Lov, Jackson Foote
Rockabye – Steve Mac
Side to Side – Ariana Grande
Shape of You – Steve Mac
Sorry Not Sorry – Demi Lovato
Something Just Like This – Coldplay
Starboy – Jason “Daheala” Quenneville
Stay – Zedd
Strip That Down – Quavo, Steve
That’s What I Like – Ray Charles McCullough II, James Fauntleroy
Thunder – Jayson DeZuzio
Unforgettable – Jeremih
What About Us – Steve Mac
Special Honorees
Steve Mac
Songwriter of the Year
Song of the Year
“Shape of You”
Justin Bieber
Most Streamed Song of the Year
“Despacito”