Universal Music Group and TikTok Forge New Licensing Pact

In a groundbreaking move, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s premier music-based entertainment company, and TikTok have unveiled an expansive licensing agreement. This partnership promises to bring unparalleled benefits to UMG’s extensive roster of artists, songwriters, and labels while reintroducing their music to TikTok’s massive global audience exceeding a billion users.

The collaborative accord signifies a fresh era of strategic cooperation between these industry giants, rooted in a shared vision of empowering UMG’s artists and songwriters to reach new heights creatively and commercially. Leveraging TikTok’s cutting-edge technology, marketing prowess, and promotional capabilities, UMG and TikTok aim to enhance compensation for songwriters and artists, offer novel promotional avenues for their music, and provide state-of-the-art safeguards concerning generative AI.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, remarked, “Our enhanced partnership with TikTok underscores the intrinsic value of music, the central role of artistic expression, and our commitment to nurturing the creative community. We are excited to collaborate with TikTok to champion the interests of our artists and songwriters, foster innovation in fan engagement, and advance the monetization of social music.”

Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Music lies at the heart of TikTok, and we are thrilled to chart a collaborative path with Universal Music Group. Together, we are dedicated to creating value, facilitating discovery, and promoting UMG’s exceptional artists and songwriters, enriching their ability to connect and engage with TikTok’s vibrant community.”

TikTok enthusiasts can anticipate the resurgence of UMG’s music catalog, enabling them once again to craft videos using tracks from global superstars and emerging talents alike.

Under this agreement, both entities will explore new avenues for monetization through TikTok’s expanding e-commerce capabilities. They will also collaborate on promotional campaigns spanning diverse musical genres and global territories, further amplifying UMG’s artists’ visibility.

Moreover, TikTok pledges significant investment in artist-centric tools, including features like “Add to Music App,” enhanced analytics, and integrated ticketing options. These tools aim to bolster artists financially and help them grow their fanbases within TikTok’s vast and engaged user community while ensuring robust online safety measures.

The collaboration between TikTok and UMG also emphasizes responsible AI development in the music industry, safeguarding the integrity of human creativity and artists’ economic interests. TikTok commits to removing unauthorized AI-generated music from its platform and enhancing artist and songwriter attribution.

Ole Obermann, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development, expressed excitement about the renewed partnership, emphasizing their shared vision for fostering deeper connections among artists, creators, and fans while embracing technological advancements responsibly.

Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer and EVP at Universal Music Group, highlighted the transformative nature of this partnership in empowering artists and songwriters, underscoring UMG’s dedication to fostering an environment where creativity thrives.

UMG and TikTok are diligently working to reintroduce music from UMG’s artists and songwriters to TikTok, ensuring a seamless and enriched user experience in the near future.

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