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.

The Bob Dylan Center [BDC] and Universal Music Publishing Group [UMPG], the world’s leading music publishing company, have joined forces to launch the Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship, it was announced today by BDC Director Steven Jenkins and UMPG Chief Operating Officer Marc Cimino. To be awarded to two recipients annually, the Fellowship was created to mentor and develop aspiring songwriters in association with the tremendous educational resources of the Bob Dylan Center.

Each Fellowship encompasses a $40,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, dedicated time in BDC’s Bob Dylan Archive® to study Dylan’s creative process, roundtrip airfare to Tulsa and accommodations in the city, mentorship from UMPG songwriters and executives, and recording time in Tulsa’s historic The Church Studio, the famous studio of Leon Russell.

UMPG is thrilled to welcome globally acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff who has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. Through the new deal, Antonoff reunites with his long-time publishing A&R Jennifer Knoepfle (EVP, Co-Head of A&R) after an exceptional decade of working together.

An eight-time Grammy winner and proven hitmaker, Antonoff has collaborated with superstars including Taylor Swift, The 1975, Lana Del Rey, Diana Ross, Lorde, St. Vincent, Florence + The Machine and Kevin Abstract. Recently, Antonoff and Swift celebrated back-to-back #1 pop records “Karma” and “Cruel Summer.” Additionally, Antonoff is the lead singer and songwriter of the band, Bleachers, whose hits include No. 1 US Alternative “I Wanna Get Better,” and No. 3 songs “Rollercoaster” and “Don’t Take the Money.” 

“There are no words that can fully capture Clarence Avant’s influence. He was a legend - a pioneering force in music, devoted champion for Black artists, cultural trailblazer and powerful voice for humanitarian efforts. Clarence’s legacy will live on through the many artists, songwriters, producers, executives and friends he mentored and supported. All of us at UMPG send our deepest condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him.” - UMPG Chairman & CEO Jody Gerson

Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment, the pioneers behind the world’s most successful talent discovery formats, and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the global publishing division of Universal Music Group (UMG), today announced the launch of SYCO Publishing, a boutique publisher dedicated to supporting and developing global songwriting talent.

Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, has been awarded the International Confederation of Music Publishers’ (ICMP) Ralph Peer ll Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Music Publishing. The award pays tribute to music publishing leaders demonstrating exceptional, global work, while protecting and promoting the work of songwriters and composers.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that multi-platinum singer/songwriter Niall Horan has been signed to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.

Universal Music Publishing Group has been named Publisher of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music, at this year’s Music Week Awards.

UMPG writers Sting, Florence Welch, Harry Styles, Kid Harpoon, and composer John Powell (Warner Bros Pictures), were all honoured at the 2023 Ivor Novello Awards, with Amazon Music.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced that chart-topping Scottish production duo LF SYSTEM have been signed to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. UMPG is recognized globally as a true music publisher and the home to the industry’s leading songwriters.