The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group Announce Unprecedented Partnership

The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group (UMG) announced an expansive worldwide agreement covering the band’s iconic recorded music and audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management.

What is being described as a 'multi-faceted partnership' marks the beginning of a new era of expanded collaboration between The Rolling Stones and UMG.

"Few bands in history have so profoundly impacted global culture as The Rolling Stones,” a press release from Universal Music Group states. "Through their powerful music, infectious live performances, unique visual identity and attitude, the band is renowned throughout the world to audiences of all ages, widely influencing popular culture through art, fashion and film.

"With UMG,” the statement adds, "the band has a partner that complements and supports their global stature, with expertise and resources that enable the band to maximise their reach, while underscoring their enduring cultural relevance across numerous forms of entertainment."

The band's most recent studio album, released in December 2016 – Blue & Lonesome – won the band their third Grammy (for Best Traditional Blues Album) and was the group’s 37th top 10 effort in the US Billboard chart. No act has notched up more top 10 albums in the history of the chart. Blue & Lonesome debuted at number 1 in the UK and has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide since its release.

In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, said, “After a decade of working in partnership together, we are thrilled to expand and extend our relationship with The Rolling Stones. We look forward to bringing our expertise and passion to bear as we put our global organization to work on behalf of this iconic band who continue to create music and influence culture around the world.”

David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music UK, said, “The Rolling Stones continue to define rock and roll. They are loved the world over and they are the band who never let up. It’s a privilege to work with them and Joyce Smyth, their exceptional manager.”

Joyce Smyth, The Rolling Stones manager said, “For many years now we’ve had a wonderful partnership with Universal Music and look forward to an even more successful future together.’’

As part of the agreement, UMG extends its position as the home for The Rolling Stones’ iconic catalogue, which includes some of the most celebrated and influential albums of all time, from Sticky Fingers through to 2016’s Grammy award-winning Blue & Lonesome. UMG will continue to distribute the band’s celebrated recorded music catalogue globally, with future projects and reissues to be released through UMG’s labels and networks around the world.

Bravado, UMG’s brand-management and merchandise company and the leading global provider of consumer, lifestyle and branding services to recording artists, will handle global merchandising rights, retail licensing, brand management and e-commerce on behalf of the band, including their iconic tongue logo, one of the most universally recognized symbols in entertainment.

At the same time, Bravado will continue working closely with the band and management to identify new and innovative opportunities for creative collaboration within the worlds of art, fashion, retail, sport, lifestyle and touring merchandise to excite and inspire their millions of fans around the world. Recent programmes and collections include partnerships with Paris Saint Germain FC, Selfridges, Colette and Zara and newly designed merchandise for their No Filter European Tour.

Eagle Rock, the UMG-owned leading producer and distributor of music programming for broadcast, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media, have expanded their global distribution rights to the band’s extensive long-form audio visual catalogue. As part of the agreement, Eagle Rock will also re-issue several classic concert films from their archives including: Atlanta (1989); Steel Wheels (1989-90); Voodoo Lounge (1994); Bridges to Babylon (1997-1998); Four Flicks (2002) and Bigger Bang (2005-2006).

In addition, UMG will provide The Rolling Stones with archival support and dedicated space for the band’s physical media assets, musical instruments and equipment across the company’s ecosystem of vaults positioned around the world.

Universal Music Group has been home to the Rolling Stones since 2008, and with this extended agreement sees UMG leverage the company’s global network of industry leading businesses, spanning more than 60 countries, to support the multimedia creative output of one of music’s most iconic and influential artists.