Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global publishing division, today announced that respected publishing executive David Gray will serve in an expanded role as Head of the UMPG Global Creative Group. He will also continue in his position as Executive Vice President and Head of US A&R. Based in New York City, Gray will continue reporting to Jody Gerson, UMPG Chairman and CEO.
 
Gray will head the newly formed UMPG Global Creative Group, a team of senior A&R executives across key territories who will identify and expand global creative opportunities for UMPG songwriters, artists and producers. The Group’s formation reinforces the company’s commitment to always innovating upon its leading A&R publishing strategy.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an agreement between Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Zappa (the Zappa Trust) to acquire Frank Zappa’s estate, including his expansive recordings, publishing catalog of iconic songs, film archive, and the complete contents of The Vault, the near mythic storage facility that houses the late Zappa’s life’s work. The content spans the prolific four-decade career of the legendary, boundary-pushing musician, acclaimed composer, virtuoso guitarist, and prominent activist.

With the acquisition, which additionally includes Frank Zappa’s name and likeness, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), UMG’s global catalog company, and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company’s leading music publisher, will build on the company’s already successful track record of working with the Zappa Trust to amplify Frank Zappa’s career as a trailblazer, iconoclast, brilliant musician and fearless artist who challenged music and culture with his unconventional and uncompromising vision and advocacy.

At the 70th annual BMI Pop Awards held on May 10th in Beverly Hills, UMPG was thrilled to be named Publisher of the Year. UMPG also won Song of the Year for “Mood” written by UMPG writers Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin and Iann Dior. Additionally, Omer Fedi also won Songwriter of the Year, having UMPG sweep the night’s three biggest categories.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division, today announced that music executive Cristina Chavez has joined the company in the role of Vice President, A&R, effective immediately. Based in Santa Monica, Chavez reports to David Gray, Executive Vice President and Head of US A&R at UMPG.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, today announced the signing of Dave Bayley of the Grammy Awards-nominated Glass Animals (Polydor/Republic Records) to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an expansive, long-term partnership with global music icon The Weeknd, one of the most commercially successful and critically-acclaimed recording artists and songwriters of the last decade. The agreement further builds upon the relationship between Abel Tesfaye p/k/a The Weeknd, and UMG’s Republic Records, which has been his label home and partner since 2012 and will remain his label partner for future recorded music releases.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division, today announced that Univision Network has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing administration agreement to represent the network’s music catalog.

Universal Production Music, the world’s leading production music company, today announced that Jane Carter has been appointed President, effective immediately. She will continue to be based in London and will report to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, parent company to Universal Production Music.

In her new role, Carter will oversee the entirety of Universal Production Music and its entities worldwide, leading the company’s innovation and production music growth strategy across the rapidly evolving content creation business. Through the promotion, Carter becomes the first woman to lead global production at a major music publishing company. Previously, Carter served as Managing Director in the U.K. for Universal Production Music where she led production music growth strategy, broadcast partnerships and client relations.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company and owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, today announced an exclusive global publishing deal to represent the historic song catalog of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Elvis Presley.

The estate of legendary Mexican recording superstar & prolific songwriter Juan Gabriel has signed an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Virgin Music US Latin and extended its agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division. Under the new deal, Virgin Music US Latin will now represent Juan Gabriel’s post-2008 catalog and future recordings and UMPG will represent his entire iconic catalog through an extended, exclusive global publishing agreement, uniting Juan Gabriel’s music under the Universal Music roof.