(CelebrityAccess) – The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced an expanded and multi-faceted worldwide partnership covering the band’s iconic recorded music and audio-visual catalogs, archival support, global merchandising and brand management.
In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, said: “After a decade of working in partnership together, we are thrilled to expand and extend our relationship with The Rolling Stones. We look forward to bringing our expertise and passion to bear as we put our global organization to work on behalf of this iconic band who continue to create music and influence culture around the world.”
David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music UK, added: “The Rolling Stones continue to define rock and roll, they are loved the world over and they are the band who never let up. It’s a privilege to work with them and Joyce Smyth, their exceptional manager.”
As part of the agreement, UMG has extended its position as the home for The Rolling Stones’ iconic catalog and will continue to distribute the band’s recorded music globally with future projects and reissues to be released through UMG’s labels and networks around the world.
Additionally, Bravado, UMG’s brand-management and merchandise company, will handle global merchandising rights, retail licensing, brand management and e-commerce on behalf of the band, including their iconic tongue logo, while Eagle Rock, the UMG-owned producer and distributor of music programming for broadcast, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media, will handle the global distribution rights to the band’s extensive long-form audio visual catalogue. As part of the agreement, Eagle Rock will also re-issue several classic concert films from their archives including: Atlanta (1989); Steel Wheels (1989-90); Voodoo Lounge (1994); Bridges to Babylon (1997-1998); Four Flicks (2002) and Bigger Bang (2005-2006).
Lastly, UMG will provide The Rolling Stones with archival support and dedicated space for the band’s physical media assets, musical instruments and equipment across the company’s ecosystem of vaults positioned around the globe.
Commenting on the partnership with UMG, Rolling Stones manager Joyce Smyth concluded: “For many years now we’ve had a wonderful partnership with Universal Music and look forward to an even more successful future together.’’
