Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world’s leading music company, with top market positions in recorded music, music publishing and merchandising.
UMG’s recorded music business holds market leading positions in most of the world’s major music markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The development of the digital market and new innovative business models has enabled UMG to improve its performance in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries as well as expand its presence into other emerging markets, such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
In 2011, best-selling albums included titles from a wide range of artists, including best selling acts such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber and emerging talents such as Nicki Minaj, Jessie J, LMFAO and Scotty McCreery, via UMG’s partnership with American Idol. Regional best sellers included titles from Girls Generation and Kara in Japan, Paula Fernandes in Brazil and Nolwenn Leroy in France.
UMG plays a leading role in the expansion of the digital music market and continues to encourage and support innovation, giving consumers an increasing number of ways in which to legally access music. UMG is also a participant in Vevo, a US-based premium video service launched in the USA, Canada and the UK. UMG has over 670 ePartners around the globe.
Universal Music Publishing Group is the world’s leading music publishing company. Its combined publishing catalog contains more than two million owned and administered titles, including some of the world’s most popular songs, such as “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,” “American Pie,” “Strangers in the Night,” “Copacabana,” “Born to be Wild,” “Good Vibrations,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “I Will Survive,” “Smoke Gets in your Eyes” and “(Sitting on) the Dock of the Bay.”
Bravado, UMG’s global merchandising company, is the only global, 360 degree full-service merchandise company in the industry. It develops and markets high-quality licensed merchandise to a world-wide audience. Bravado artists include The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Eminem, Kanye West, Metallica, Nickelback, Katy Perry, Guns ‘N Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and The Killers, among many others.
In 2012, UMG had revenues of €4,544 million and an EBITA of €525 million.
Vivendi and UMG announced that they have completed the acquisition of EMI Recorded Music on 28 September 2012. The agreement was announced in November 2011. The combined company will benefit both the artistic community and the cultural industry. If features an incredible variety of renowned local and international labels.
With EMI, UMG enlarges its presence in countries such as the United States, Japan and Germany, the leading international music markets. It increases its market share and develops its availability on all digital platforms, while remaining true to its vision to invest in talent and offer consumers more music and choice. The acquisition enables Vivendi to significantly strengthen its ownership of exclusive content. See the press release.
Vivendi owns 100% of Universal Music Group.
 |
 |
 |
|
