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.

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 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) today announced that Dani Sawyerr has been promoted to Director of A&R for UMPG UK, effective immediately. Based in London, Sawyerr will continue reporting to Mike McCormack, Managing Director of UMPG UK.

Sawyerr serves as publishing A&R for talented UMPG songwriters and artists including Holly Humberstone, S1mba, Shobeatz and Noizu, as well as being A&R link to music publishing partners such as TAP.

On making the announcement, McCormack said: “Dani deserves this promotion based on the success he’s had over the past few years. He’s always been a diligent and very selective A&R, only backing what he 100% believes in, and is a respected and well-liked member of the creative team.”

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, announced today that Ross Greening has been promoted to Senior Vice President, European Regional Administration and Global Copyright/Society Relations. Greening will continue to be based out of London and will jointly report to John Reston, UMPG’s Executive Vice President, Global Administration, and Simon Baker, General Manager, UMP Europe.

In his new role, Greening’s expanded responsibilities include leadership of UMP’s global copyright functions and collecting society engagement strategies. He continues to lead UMP’s European Administration organization, including operational management of UMP’s digital licensing vehicle, DEAL. Most recently, Greening held the position of Vice President, Regional European Administration and has been with UMPG since 2013.

Griff, Little Simz, Holly Humberstone and CHVRCHES & Robert Smith were among the winners at the 2022 NME Awards. 

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the acquisition of the entirety of Neil Diamond’s historic song catalog through Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), its leading global publishing division, as well as the rights to all recordings from his career, including 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album and archival long form videos.

Today, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division, announced the acquisition of 17-time GRAMMY Award winner Sting’s career catalog of music. This historic, comprehensive worldwide agreement for the catalog of one of the most commercially successful and critically-acclaimed songwriters of the last half-century encompasses the entirety of both Sting’s solo works as well as those with The Police, including “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Shape Of My Heart,” “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,” “Fields Of Gold,” “Desert Rose,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Englishman in New York” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” among countless other global hits.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the signing of acclaimed British composer and producer Kieran Hebden, the mastermind behind pioneering electronic act Four Tet, and founder of the Text Records label, to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.