NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — Elton John’s Rocket Entertainment and Universal Music Group announced an expansive new deal that brings much of John’s brand under the UMG banner.
UMG already represents John’s extensive recorded music catalog, but under the terms of the agreement, they will release his new music for the rest of his career going forward.
As well, his song catalog will be administered by Universal Music Publishing Group and while the announcement did not stipulate the terms of the deal, it described the relationship as extending “long into the future.”
The deal also includes merch. Bravado, UMG’s brand-management, and merchandise company will work with Rocket to expand and develop global merchandising, branding and retail licensing opportunities around Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour and catalogue.
UMG will also collaborate with Rocket CEO David Furnish to leverage John’s catalog for new releases in order to see them “introduced to new generations of fans.”
“In UMG we’ve got the perfect partners to support all aspects of my creative endeavors. Lucian Grainge, Jody Gerson, David Joseph, and the UMG family share the values that we hold dear – nurturing artistry, restless creativity and innovation. I’m proud and delighted to have them stand alongside me as I embark on the next phase of my career,” John said in a press statement announcing the deal.
“Elton John is a creative cornerstone of UMG, which has been his home since his earliest days at MCA Records. In parallel with Elton’s stratospheric rise as an artist, UMG has evolved from a ‘label’ and ‘publisher’ into a broad-based global media and entertainment company that is positioned to work at a far higher level and with greater impact with an artist of Elton’s caliber. As he embarks on his monumental Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, we are excited for our entire global organization to stand alongside him, working hand in hand with David and his team at Rocket to ensure that his music continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world for generations to come,” UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge added.
Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
