Prince
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced an agreement with the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson to become, effective immediately, the exclusive worldwide publishing administrator for Prince’s entire song catalog.
With the agreement, UMPG is responsible for servicing and administering Prince’s expansive catalog of songs. UMPG will also work closely with Prince’s estate to develop new creative outlets for his music.
In making the announcement, Jody Gerson, Chairman/CEO of UMPG, said, “We’re humbled to be entrusted with Prince’s catalog and I’m grateful to my entire team for their work in making this agreement a reality. UMPG is a premiere destination for songwriters because of the meticulous care, focus and passion we bring to creating opportunities for our artists and their body of work. With the timelessness and genius of Prince’s music, there are no limits to what we can achieve working with his estate. Prince’s popularity will only continue to grow around the world.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group, said, “We are looking forward to continuing Prince’s legacy and ensuring that generations to come will know his unique brilliance. I congratulate Jody and her team on this landmark deal. Since joining UMPG as Chairman and CEO in 2015, Jody has done a remarkable job at developing and signing some of the most important songwriters and recording artists in contemporary music highlighted by the addition of Prince’s incredible catalog of work.”
Bremer Trust, the court-appointed temporary special administrator of the Prince Rogers Nelson Estate, hired entertainment industry experts Charles Koppelman, Chairman/CEO of CAK Entertainment Inc., and L. Londell McMillan, Chairman/CEO of The NorthStar Enterprises Worldwide, to secure business agreements in the best interest of the estate. Koppelman and McMillan commented, “We are pleased that UMPG shall once again administer Prince’s music publishing worldwide and assist the estate by giving Prince’s iconic music catalog the proper care and support it deserves. With this major agreement, the estate maintains ownership of Prince’s music, and now legions of fans from around the world will have even greater opportunities to continue to delight in his incomparable songwriting and musical expression.”
