are and who we aspire to be as
an organization.”
GLASSNOTE TO UMG IN GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION DEAL
Early this morning, UMG and Glassnote jointly announced an exclusive worldwide distribution deal. Effective March 1, Universal will take over the distribution of the entire Glassnote roster, including Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club, Childish Gambino and CHVRCHES.
In the U.S., Glassnote will be distributed by UMGD, while, outside the U.S. (excluding Australia, New Zealand and South Africa), Glassnote will be distributed by Caroline. Additionally, Glassnote will continue its existing relationship with UMG in Canada. International releases for Mumford and CHVRCHES will continue to be handled by Island U.K. and Virgin U.K., respectively, to which the acts are directly signed.
We’ve further learned that the deal involves no equity nor will Glassnote acts be upstreamed to Universal labels. In other words, the indie will continue to look, smell and behave like a well-oiled standalone indie label.
Glassnote also announced the launch of Resolved, which the release describes as "a multifaceted company designed to offer individualized support and services to entertainment entrepreneurs, emerging producers and independent labels. Resolved, which will also be distributed by UMG, will provide resources, both financial and creative, marketing and operational support, mentorship and strategic guidance to these entrepreneurs with the goal of helping them grow their businesses creatively and commercially."
In the publishing sector, the agreement "builds upon" the existing admin deal between Universal Music Publishing and Insieme, Glassnote’s affiliate pubco; UMPG already had direct deals with Mumford & Sons, CHVRCHES, Childish Gambino and Daughter.
"As a company that places entrepreneurs at the center of our business, we are particularly pleased to welcome Glassnote and Resolved to the Universal Music family," said UMG ruler Lucian Grainge. "Daniel Glass is, quite simply, one of the most successful label entrepreneurs of the last decade. He represents the kind of innovation and creativity that defines who we are and who we aspire to be as an organization, and we’re looking forward to many years of collaboration and growth together."
"We made the change because we felt the environment would allow us to grow," Glassnote founder/President Daniel Glass told us. "It was about the way Lucian and UMG grasp our vision and are going to support it." He adds that "With Resolved, we’re really going to be able to think outside the box and help entrepreneurial people realize their dreams."
Glass emphasizes that the global picture also figured largely in the decision and that the new Caroline setup in the U.K., led by Michael Roe, is a perfect fit for Glassnote’s market savvy and artistic energy. Glassnote just opened its London office in July to serve the U.K. and European markets, where artists Childish Gambino, Phoenix and Half Moon Run are currently breaking. The office is run by Sam Rumney, former producer of BBC Radio 1’s hugely influential Zane Lowe show, and MusicWeek just included A&R/Publishing exec Ed Poston in its Top 30 Under 30.
"Lucian was our publisher when I was with Sam Records, more than 30 years ago," Glass recalls. "He’s always gotten what our music was about."
