2. Background
It was founded in:
1934 when British Decca launched an American Decca Records
In 1989 the Music Entertainment Group formed
Then in 1996 the first UMG was created from the Music Entertainment Group
In 1998 the second UMG was created from PolyGram
The Headquarters are in Santa Monica, California USA
Its key people are Lucian Grainge who is the Chairman and CEO and Max Hole
who is the chairman and CEO of the international Universal
It has a revenue of $4,449 million
Income of $140 million as recorded in 2010
3. Labels under Universal
They have 38 sub labels outside
of the United States and 10
inside the US - some include:
Universal Republic Records
Motown Records
Universal Music Group
Nashville
Mercury Records
Decca Label Group
Interscope
The Verve Music Group
AT&M
Universal Music UK
Capitol Records
Virgin Records
Def Jam
Island
4. Divisions
Universal music group has many divisions – its most
famous is the Universal Music Publishing Group
which is the second largest music publishing
company in the world.
On 21 September 2012 the sale of EMI to Universal
Music Group was approved in Europe and the US by
the European Commission and Federal Trade
Commission.
5. Artists on Universal
Some artists signed
to Universal include:
Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Florence & The Machine
Lil Wayne
Bombay Bicycle Club
Eminem
Lana Del Ray
Justin Bieber
LMFAO
Keri Hilson
U2
Kid Cudi
The Chemical Brothers
Enrique Iglesias
Prince
Rihanna
Stereophonics
Nicki Minaj
6. Lady Gaga
Gaga is signed to Def jam – a label
under universal
Rolling stone named her the
‘queen of pop’
She has been known for her
outrageous outfits including the
meat dress which she wore to the
MTV music awards in 2010
Her albums mostly have positive
reviews
It has been said that she has a
unique place in pop music
She is often in the news with a
new outfit, album, single, stunt
which gains universal a lot of
publicity
7. Lady Gaga
She has donated to numerous
charities and attended many
campaigns
She calls her fans her little monsters
and got a tattoo of it in dedication
to her fans
Gaga is a supporter of anti bullying
and strongly believes in it
Gaga is a positive influence as she
has been seen as a role model, selfesteem booster for her fans, fashion
icon and someone who changed the
music industry
8. Justin Bieber
Bieber was discovered from his
videos on YouTube in 2008
His first album went platinum and
won many awards
In 2011 Bieber made statements
saying he was against abortion
His neighbours in Calabasas
accused Bieber of reckless driving
and speeding
His tour bus was raided on two
occasions and a stun gun and
marijuana was found
In 2014 Bieber was arrested for
driving under the influence and
without a license
Also in 2014 Bieber assaulted a
limousine driver
Whilst was living in America he
slated the health care system
In 2013 he was charged with
vandalism in Brazil
Also in 2013 he upset Australian
authorities over graffiti
Bieber is a negative influence on teens
and the music industry as it gives the
label bad reputation and give a bad
influence on his fans.
9. Some controversy with Universal
•
In 2006 an investigation was taken place in New York which
claimed that universal bribed radio stations to play songs
from performers under universal labels – in settlement the
company paid $12 million to the state.
•
In 2007 Universal were accused of abusing the Digital
Millennium Copyright act as they forced YouTube to take
down videos which involved Universal’s music
•
In 2011 megaupload published a music video called the
mega song with artists including Kanye west, Alicia Keys and
Snoop Dogg but when it was uploaded to youtube universal
requested for it to be taken down. Megaupload said that
the video didn’t breach any agreements an all the artists
signed agreements so requested an apology. Universal said
the takedown wasn’t under the digital millennium copyright
act and eventually was posted back on youtube.
