Universal Music Publishing Group has partnered with Hillsong on an administration and writer development agreement in Europe.
The deal, which covers the UK, includes both of Hillsong’s music publishing operations - Hillsong Music Publishing and Shout! Music Publishing - which together host a catalogue of commercial and Christian genres.
Hillsong is the music publishing arm of Hillsong Church, which has locations in 23 countries and 200,000 people attending services every week. UMPG will work with Hillsong to provide publishing administration services for the catalogue in Europe. The deal will also allow for UMPG and Hillsong to collaborate in writer development opportunities, as well as new joint signings.
The groups published by Hillsong Music Publishing include Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, Hillsong United and Hillsong Kids. Hillsong Worship won a Grammy Award in 2018 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with What a Beautiful Name by Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood.
Hillsong United’s song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Joel Houston, Matt Crocker and Salomon Ligthelm is certified double platinum in the United States. Hillsong Young & Free were nominated for a Grammy in 2016 for their album Youth Revival.
Hillsong’s groups fill arenas across the globe for their live worship events and have engaged millions of social media users online.
Shout! Music Publishing is home to music publishing operations and signings outside of Hillsong spanning a wide range of genres. Shout! has an international roster of composers, writers and catalogues, including Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, Reuben Morgan, Benjamin Hastings, Alex Pappas, Aodhan King, Hannah Hobbs, Melody Wagner, Ryan Taubert and most recent signing, Josh Grimmett, co-writer on the Meduza hit Piece Of Your Heart.
Dougie Bruce, UMPG UK A&R, said: “The administration agreement with Hillsong is a fantastic relationship that has grown from initially exploring collaborative and creative ideas to formalising a partnership in a unique environment. We are looking forward to integrating their writers into our team and identifying key opportunities across the music sphere. UMPG will also handle some 11,000 existing works, and new signings and songs will further increase this catalogue.”
Steve McPherson, publishing manager of Hillsong, said: “UMPG are leaders in the music publishing world and we’re looking forward to exploring the opportunities for our songwriters and have great respect and trust in their team. We have had fruitful relationships within the Universal family in different parts of the world for many years and we’re very excited to extend this to the UK and Europe.”
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