The Rolling Stones have renewed their deal with Universal Music Group (UMG), in what the music company calls an “expansive worldwide agreement covering the band’s iconic recorded music and audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management”.
The Stones have held a record deal with Universal since 2008, prior to which the British band’s albums came out on Virgin Records, which was owned by EMI. (UMG eventually acquired EMI Music in 2012 for $1.9bn.)
Under the new agreement, UMG extends its position as the home for a significant chunk of The Rolling Stones’ catalogue – from Sticky Fingers (1971) through to the band’s latest studio album, the Grammy award-winning Blue & Lonesome (2016).
Classic albums which pre-date Sticky Fingers, such as Let It Bleed (1969) and Beggars Banquet (1968), remain owned by ABKCO Music and sit outside the new UMG deal.
From Sticky Fingers onwards, the Stones’ catalogue is owned by Promotone BV – the band’s own company – which in turn licenses the music to Universal.
UMG’s new agreement with the Stones doesn’t end at recorded music.
Bravado, UMG’s brand-management and merchandise company, will handle global merchandising rights, retail licensing, brand management and e-commerce on behalf of the band, including their iconic tongue logo.
Bravado will also help identify creative collaborations, following recent partnerships with Paris Saint Germain FC, Selfridges, Colette and Zara and newly-designed merchandise for their No Filter European Tour.
“After a decade of working in partnership together, we are thrilled to expand and extend our relationship with The Rolling Stones.”
Meanwhile, Eagle Rock, the UMG-owned producer and distributor of music video programming, have expanded their global distribution rights to the band’s 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’.
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.”
“It’s a privilege to work with The Rolling Stones and Joyce Smyth, their exceptional manager.”
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.’’
