22
Annual Report -
2013
-
Vivendi
Group Profile |
Businesses
| Litigation | Risk Factors
1
Universal Music Group
2.2.3.
Music Publishing
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is one of the world’s leading
music publishing companies. Music publishing involves acquiring the
rights to musical compositions (as opposed to recordings) and licensing
those compositions for use in a variety of formats.
UMPG licenses musical compositions for use in sound recordings, films,
television, advertisements, and live and other public performances, such
as broadcasting and film performances. It also licenses compositions for
use in printed sheet music and song portfolios.
Generally, UMPG licenses compositions after acquiring a direct interest
in their copyrights by entering into agreements with composers and
authors of musical compositions. The company also administers musical
compositions on behalf of other owners, which can include other music
publishers or authors who have retained or acquired such rights.
UMPG is a global leader in the “Music Production Library” business.
UMPG owns or controls a vast catalog of original music and
arrangements (through numerous libraries and niche brands) and
offers this music for use in films, television, advertising and new media
industries, essentially as an economical licensing alternative to live or
popular music.
UMPG’s combined publishing catalog contains more than 2.5 million
owned and administered titles, including some of the world’s most
popular songs. Some of the major artists/songwriters whose works are
represented include Eminem, Adele, Justin Timberlake, The Beach Boys,
Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach, Irving Berlin, Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi,
Florence and the Machine, André Rieu, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ne-Yo
and U2.
During 2013, UMPG completed a number of publishing deals, including
agreements to acquire the catalogs to the BBC, Criterion Music
Corporation and Sugar Hill Music, as well as deals with Miguel, Robin
Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, INXS, Haim, Jay Chou, Claudia Brant,
Guy Sebastian, The xx and The Clash. The company also created the
Capitol Christian Music Publishing Group, UMPG’s industry-leading
Christian and gospel music publishing arm.
2.2.4.
Merchandising
UMG’s wholly-owned global merchandising company, Bravado, is the
only global, full-service merchandise company in the industry. Bravado
works closely with new and established entertainment clients, creating
innovative products carefully tailored to each artist or brand. Products
are sold on live tours, via selected retail outlets and through web-based
stores.
Bravado also licenses rights to an extensive network of third party
licensees around the world. Bravado is able to leverage UMG’s global
sales and distribution network as well as UMG’s significant marketing
strength. The company’s broad client roster includes such artists as
the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Lil’ Wayne and Bob
Marley, to name just a few.
2.2.5.
2013 Highlights
UMG achieved numerous milestones over the course of 2013 including
the selected key achievements set out below:
In March, Bravado acquired the worldwide apparel rights for Bob
Marley ;
Also in March, UMG and Samsung launched a pioneering pan-
African mobile music service, The Kleek ;
Also in March, Universal Music UK relaunched Virgin EMI Records ;
In April, UMG entered into a global partnership with Shawn “Jay Z”
Carter’s Roc Nation ;
At the end of April, UMG launched Capitol Records UK ;
In June, Bravado and Apple Corps Ltd. entered into an agreement
for official Beatles merchandise in North America ;
In early July, UMG completed the sale of Parlophone Label Group
(PLG) to Warner Music Group ;
In mid-July, Burt Bacharach entered into an exclusive administration
deal for North America with Universal Music Publishing Group ;
At the same time, Russell Simmons, Brian Robbins and Steve Rifkind
partnered with Universal Music Group to launch the next-generation
music label, All Def Music ;
In September, UMG became the first company ever to have all ten
of the Top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United
States ;
At the end of October, UMG and Frank Sinatra Enterprises entered
into a global licensing initiative for the legendary entertainer’s
Reprise Catalog ;
At the end of November, UMG achieved an unprecedented nine
of the Top 10 albums in the United States on the Billboard Album
chart ;
In early December, UMG entered into a new long-term deal with
Queen outside of North America.
