UMPG SEALS STING SONG DEAL

Sting’s song catalog—encompassing his entire career—is now in the hands of Jody Gerson's Universal Music Publishing Group. The acquisition brings the publishing and recordings of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer under the UMG umbrella.

The worldwide agreement encompasses all of his solo works as well as those with The Police, including “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”

“So many memories from my youth are tied to the great songs written by Sting—whether it was first seeing the Police perform in Philadelphia or hearing his music on the radio or playing those albums until I wore them out,” Gerson said. “I could never have imagined that someday I would get to lead a company that will be the guardian of Sting’s remarkable songwriting legacy. Every one of us at UMPG looks forward to this work with a sense of honor, responsibility and enormous excitement about what we can achieve for his music in the future.”

UMPG and UMG will work with Sting to further build and expand his vast audience reach, strengthen the impact and influence of his music and continue supporting future releases. Sting has recorded for A&M, Interscope and Cherrytree Records.

Said Sting, who is managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, “I am delighted to have Jody and the team at UMPG curate and manage my song catalog. It is absolutely essential to me that my career’s body of work have a home where it is valued and respected—not only to connect with longtime fans in new ways but also to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians and generations. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner under the watchful guidance of [UMG Chairman/CEO Sir] Lucian [Grainge], so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter.

Grainge returned the compliment, saying, “Sting is a songwriting genius whose music permeates global culture. We are honored that by choosing UMPG for his music publishing, his entire body of work as a songwriter and recording artist—from the Police to his solo work—will all be within the UMG family. It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly as well as a great validation of what we have built for artists at UMG.”