Universal Music On Demand (UMOD) is ramping up the major’s Spinnup distribution platform in the UK. The label has already made several signings after monitoring the performance of emerging acts who have uploaded music.
Spinnup, which Universal launched in Sweden in 2013, will now build its presence here with the support of UMOD. There are ambitions to establish new ventures and partnerships in 2019, as well as increasing the breadth of its service and attracting a stronger base of new users.
It marks a diversification for UMOD, which specialises in compilations. The sector has suffered a physical sales slump in recent years.
Spinnup, which already operates in other key markets, allows emerging artists to distribute their music to all major streaming platforms, whilst keeping 100% of their rights and royalties.
It also operates as an A&R tool, with the team at UMOD constantly listening to new music uploaded. The label is monitoring popular tracks that are bubbling up and has already announced their first artist signings discovered via the platform: London-based Nigerian Afro-pop solo act AT, indie singer-songwriter Devon from the Forest Of Dean and Italian house producer Manuel Costa.
UMOD is partnering with exceptional artists to build a successful music industry career together
Simon Barnabas
MD Simon Barnabas said: “The UMOD team are combining their wealth of artist marketing campaign experience and deep understanding of track data analysis with promoting this innovative platform for distributing brand new talent – and ultimately aiming to identify and sign the very best to the label. UMOD is then partnering with these exceptional artists to build a successful music industry career together.”
UMOD is launching the Spinnup Academy, an educational visual content series featuring senior industry experts, in order to help users understand the fundamentals of their area of the music business. The label has established links with Abbey Road Institute as well as numerous key music production schools, including BIMM and ELAM. It has also recruited an official network of student Spinnup ambassadors up and down the country.
UMOD has also been taking the platform on the road and giving artists the opportunity to perform live at The Great Escape, Soho Music Month, Sundown Festival and a bespoke urban talent contest hosted by Kiss FM Breakfast Show presenter Daisy Maskell and Kiss FM hip-hop DJ Shortee Blitz in Shoreditch. The next initiative is a competition for an act to win a chance to play the Spinnup stage at BBC Introducing Live.
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