Warner Music Group’s Post

Good start to 2024

"'To put it succinctly: UMG is the most successful company in the history of the music industry and every one of us should be enormously proud of what we have accomplished together, let alone what I know we will accomplish going forward,' Grainge wrote. In shifting towards the future, Grainge first noted that UMG had continued its global expansion in the past year, particularly through the expansion and restructuring of distribution company Virgin Music Group, in the Middle East/Northa Africa, Thailand, India and China, to name a few. That is a plan that Grainge says promises to continue: 'We will keep growing our presence around the world by doing just what we do in more established music markets: signing and developing local artists; providing local labels and entrepreneurs with global promotion, distribution, and a full suite of artist services; and acquiring local labels, catalogs and artist services businesses.' In terms of other plans for 2024, Grainge notes that 'both the pace of change and our industry leadership will increase significantly.' https://lnkd.in/gA2rgpk2

How’s music industry funding faring in 2024? Here’s a breakdown of relevant raises to this point in the year – and a look at how they stack up against their 2023 counterparts. https://lnkd.in/epQks_dk #musicindustry #musicbusiness #musicnews #musicindustrynews #musicfunding

Industry Insight Alert! Universal Music Group (UMG) has just acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global, a powerhouse in Afrobeats. This move highlights the growing global recognition and potential of the African music industry, specifically Afrobeats. What can Kenyan entrepreneurs learn from this? ☑ Identify your unique identity Mavin Global's success stems from its focus on authentically African music (Afrobeats). Similarly, Kenyan businesses can leverage their unique cultural heritage and local insights to stand out in a global market. ☑ Think global, act local While aiming for international recognition, it's crucial to understand and cater to the needs of your local market. Mavin Global, despite UMG's involvement, is expected to maintain its local focus. ☑ Seek strategic partnerships Mavin Global's collaboration with UMG demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in amplifying reach and resources. Kenyan businesses can explore partnerships with local or international companies to achieve similar growth. The success of Mavin Global serves as an inspiration for Kenyan entrepreneurs, demonstrating the potential of African businesses to thrive on the global stage. https://lnkd.in/geBXEPV2

As a passionate advocate for the Nigerian music industry, I am delighted to witness the significant strides being made in the realm of music education and the monetization of content. In recent times, there has been a remarkable shift in focus towards music publishing, leading to a resurgence of conscious music that is both commercially appealing and culturally significant. One pivotal aspect that has propelled this evolution is the undeniable power of collaborations. Collaborations in the Nigerian music industry have proven to be a game-changer, providing artists, producers, and composers with a broader canvas to paint their artistic expressions. By coming together, these creative minds infuse their unique styles, sounds, and experiences, culminating in a synergy that resonates with diverse audiences. A prime example of the transformative impact of collaborations can be seen in the rising global prominence of our homegrown talents. From Rema's music gaining recognition at major sporting events and festivals worldwide to his sync alongside Bloody Civilian sync on Black Panther, our artists are reaching new heights. This trend extends beyond borders, with numerous Nigerian acts making their mark in international platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), and the National Basketball Association (NBA). The benefits of collaborations are manifold. They facilitate cross-cultural exchange, allowing Nigerian artists to connect with global audiences, and vice versa. Moreover, they open doors to unexplored markets and revenue streams, bolstering the music industry's growth and sustainability. Furthermore, collaborations foster a creative melting pot, nurturing innovation and experimentation, which are vital for artistic evolution. However, for collaborations to flourish, stakeholders must foster a supportive ecosystem. This includes record labels, accelerators, streaming platforms, and policymakers working in tandem to ensure fair compensation, protect intellectual property, and streamline licensing processes. The Nigerian and African music industries stand at the threshold of a golden era, fueled by the power of collaborations. It is incumbent upon all of us, music enthusiasts, industry players, and policymakers, to continue nurturing this spirit of collaboration and facilitating partnerships that transcend boundaries. Together, we can unleash the true potential of Nigerian music, elevating it to the global stage and establishing our nation as a creative hub brimming with talent and diversity. Let us embrace this collaborative spirit and pave the way for an even brighter and more prosperous future for the Nigerian music industry. #NigerianMusic #Collaborations #MusicIndustry #GlobalSuccess

Today’s 'This Is Music 2023' report from UK Music Ltd underscores the success story of our music industry. With £4 billion in export revenue and a £6.7 billion contribution to the nation's economy in GVA, it’s a valuable reminder of the pivotal role of music in the UK. The UK’s music tech ecosystem plays a key role – it’s that blend of creative excellence and the spirit of technological advancement that has built UK music to become a global leader in innovation. Music Technology UK is dedicated to amplifying this success, by fostering an environment where music tech pioneers and the traditional music industry can build new ways of working together, with the aim of increasing value for all parts of the industry. #UKMusic #MusicTechUK #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #ThisIsMusic2023 https://lnkd.in/eW48-Hzd

Universal Music Group (UMG) has turned its attention towards music companies for its latest catalogue acquisition, purchasing a 70% stake in the catalogue of Thai music firm RS Group. The deal, which is initially valued positions UMG firmly within the rapidly growing Thai music industry. 🌏🎵 This acquisition doesn't merely expand UMG's international portfolio, it also establishes a new partnership. As part of the agreement, UMG becomes RS Group’s exclusive 'music service partner' for both new releases and repertoire worldwide. 🎼🌐 Given Thailand's recorded music market's 20% YoY growth in 2022, UMG's strategic move is a clear nod to the untapped potential of diverse, global markets. MusicIndustry #UMG #RSGroup #GlobalMusic #MusicTech #Innovation

Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of October 9th, 2023. https://lnkd.in/gn9y6GKz #musicindustry #musicbusiness #musicnews #musicindustrynews #musicjobs #musiccareers

Don Jazzy sold Mavins Records to Universal Music Group for $200M. Universal Music Group (UMG) has finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in Mavin Global, the renowned music company founded by Michael Collins Ajereh, famously known as Don Jazzy. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the music industry, particularly within the Afrobeats genre. Established in 2012, Mavin Records has been instrumental in elevating the industry and Afrobeats artists to international acclaim, contributing to the global recognition of African music. With this strategic move, UMG aims to further strengthen its presence in the African music market and leverage Mavin's expertise to expand its reach. Here are 3 key lessons we can learn from this acquisition: 1. African Market is Gold: Mavin's partnership with UMG demonstrates that with proper investment, the African market is highly lucrative with a huge ROI. 2. If we promote our market, foreigners will invest. Before the acquisition of Mavin, its earlier investment was from Kupanda Holdings. They laid the groundwork for its growth trajectory, culminating in this landmark deal with UMG. 3. Negotiation skill is paramount to success: Big kudos to Don Jazzy for pulling this off. One of the greatest traits of successful entrepreneurs is knowing how to negotiate. UMG has emphasized Mavin's autonomy in shaping its strategic direction and nurturing talent. This reaffirms the significance of strong leadership, with Don Jazzy and COO Tega Oghenejobo retaining their roles to drive Mavin's continued success. As the acquisition awaits regulatory approval and finalization, the music industry eagerly anticipates the future synergies and innovations that will emerge from this collaboration between UMG and Mavin Global. Once again, congratulations to Don Jazzy and the team.

Don't sleep on the Middle East and African music markets... Labels like Universal Music Group, gamma., and Warner Records, just to name a few, are making a big investment in these markets and it's no secret why... Africa makes up nearly 20% of the total global population, however, the continent's population will increase an estimated 51% by 2035. This growth presents new opportunities for emerging genres, artists, and live markets to appear... Additionally, in 2023, we're seeing regionalized, fragmented music genres have a meteoric rise in consumption globally, dominating the US and global charts. This can be seen in K-pop, Regional Mexican, and Afrobeats. As the Middle East and Africa's music scene continues to develop and blossom, I'm sure sooner rather than later we'll see the next international icon come from one of these regions. #musicindustry #africa #middleeast #international