SANTA MONICA - Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, announced today that it has appointed Jody Gerson as Chairman and CEO of the company’s music publishing division, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), effective January 1, 2015. Gerson, who currently serves as Co-President of Sony/ATV Publishing, will be based at UMPG’s headquarters in Santa Monica, CA and will report to UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge. She will succeed Zach Horowitz who, after leading UMPG to achieve strong creative and commercial results, has decided to step down effective immediately to explore other opportunities.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MRM is proud to welcome its first global signing, Hollywood film composer and songwriter Bryce Jacobs, one of the best-kept secrets in the entertainment business!

LONDON, UK (July 10, 2014) - Universal Music Publishing (UMP) has announced the promotion of one its key European executives to a new role overseeing Sweden and the Nordic region.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (July 7, 2014) - When working toward the placement of music in advertising, films, TV and games (aka synchronization), being able to find the right songs for customer needs is a key business strength. Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a global leader in music publishing, has taken the next step to index their large music catalog with precise, coherent and automated tagging delivered by the Danish company Moodagent.

Santa Monica, CA - In light of anticipated changes in the music licensing landscape, today Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced plans to create an openly accessible and searchable song data repository hosted on the company’s website in order to offer information about the millions of songs controlled by UMPG.

Los Angeles, CA (June 9, 2014) - Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has entered into an exclusive worldwide publishing administration agreement with entertainment visionary CM Murphy and his Murphy Rights Management (MRM) business, as announced today by Zach Horowitz, Chairman/CEO of UMPG. The deal provides global support for CM Murphy and his team. MRM is headquartered in Sydney Australia and will build a roster of the best new talent from across the globe. The first signing is the hot new Australian rock band, Lepers and Crooks.

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.