Company Directory - Universal Music Group N.V.
Company Details - Universal Music Group N.V.
Universal Music Group N.V.
WebsiteSanta Monica, United States
ISIN: NL0012000128
Universal Music Group is a global leader in music-based entertainment, managing a roster of renowned artists and cutting-edge music talent.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Universal Music Group N.V.
20.61
-0.01%
Latest Event
UMG Faces Legal Battles Over Unpaid Royalties
Universal Music Group is facing multiple lawsuits and legal challenges from major artists including Drake, Limp Bizkit, and Iggy Azalea over alleged unpaid royalties, opaque contractual practices, and manipulated royalty software, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness in its business practices.
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SABOTEUR
Universal Music Group N.V. is currently rated as a Saboteur.
Latest Events
- MAR262025
Universal Music Group is facing multiple lawsuits and legal challenges from major artists including Drake, Limp Bizkit, and Iggy Azalea over alleged unpaid royalties, opaque contractual practices, and manipulated royalty software, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness in its business practices.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
UMG is accused of unethical practices including withholding royalties and manipulating contract terms, which harms artists by denying fair compensation. This behavior undermines ethical business practices and reflects a disregard for the rights and financial well‐being of its talent, aligning with concerns over labor relations and human rights practices.
- MAR192025
Universal Music Group filed a motion to dismiss discovery requests in Drake’s defamation lawsuit, arguing that the extensive demands for internal contracts and executive compensation details impose an undue burden and serve to shield sensitive corporate information. The motion criticizes Drake's claims as stemming from a lost rap battle rather than substantive defamation.
-40
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
By seeking to block discovery, UMG is attempting to withhold internal documents that could reveal problematic practices. This effort to avoid transparency undermines accountability and reinforces a corporate culture that prioritizes protecting its interests over openness, which aligns with behaviors that can contribute to authoritarian practices in corporate governance.
- FEB062025
Universal Music Group's profile on OpenSecrets highlights its political contributions of $811,423 and lobbying expenditure of $2,440,000 in the 2024 cycle, as well as a revolving door phenomenon with 5 out of 8 lobbyists having prior government experience. These figures raise concerns about the company’s potential influence on policy and regulatory capture.
-60
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 28
The reported political contributions and lobbying expenses suggest significant corporate influence over public policy. In an anti-fascist, progressive framework, such levels of spending can contribute to entrenched power dynamics, raising concerns about the potential for authoritarian influence.
-40
Regulatory Capture
March 28
The profile indicates that a significant portion of UMG’s lobbyists have transitioned from government roles, signaling a revolving door that could lead to regulatory capture. This intertwining of public and private sectors undermines democratic accountability and may facilitate authoritarian policies.
- DEC232024
Universal Music Group and Amazon Music announced an expanded global partnership focused on advancing product innovations, protecting against fraud and misattribution, and addressing unlawful AI-generated content. The collaboration underscores a commitment to ethical business practices and responsible technology use in support of artists' rights.
+25
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 28
The partnership emphasizes ethical business practices by safeguarding artists and addressing challenges associated with unlawful AI-generated content, which protects creative expression and combats exploitative practices.
Universal Music, Amazon Expand Partnership, Vow to “Address Unlawful AI-Generated Content”
+35
Technology and Services Impact
March 28
By focusing on the ethical use of technology, the expanded tie-up with Amazon Music to address fraudulent and unlawful AI-generated content demonstrates a commitment to responsible innovation that safeguards human artistry and combats the misuse of emerging technologies.
Universal Music, Amazon Expand Partnership, Vow to “Address Unlawful AI-Generated Content”
- DEC122024
Universal Music Group announced a strategic partnership with advertising giant WPP on December 12, 2024, focusing on leveraging innovative technologies, data insights, and AI to enhance audience engagement and create new commercial opportunities for artists and brands.
+10
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
The strategic partnership with WPP represents a positive business practice by combining UMG's industry-leading data insights with WPP's creative capabilities. This collaboration is intended to generate innovative marketing strategies and broaden audience engagement, benefiting various stakeholders including marginalized communities. There is no evidence linking the partnership to authoritarian or exploitative practices.
Universal Music Group inks strategic partnership with advertising giant WPP
+10
Technology and Services Impact
March 29
The partnership emphasizes the use of emerging technologies, AI, and data analytics to revolutionize audience engagement in the music and advertising sectors. This focus on technological innovation supports cultural expression and offers the potential for more inclusive and transparent practices, aligning with progressive industry standards.
Universal Music Group inks strategic partnership with advertising giant WPP
- SEP102024
Universal Music Group announced the launch of its 2024 'Use Your Voice' campaign to educate and mobilize voters for the upcoming U.S. general elections. The campaign partners with prominent civic organizations like NAACP, HeadCount, and others to facilitate voter registration, transportation, and access to election resources, reinforcing democratic participation at a time when such civic engagement is critical.
+90
Public and Political Behavior
March 28
Universal Music Group's 'Use Your Voice' campaign demonstrates strong public and political engagement by mobilizing voters and supporting democratic processes through partnerships with progressive organizations. This initiative enhances community empowerment and acts as a countermeasure against authoritarian tendencies, deserving a high positive score.
Universal Music Group Activates 2024 'Use Your Voice' U.S. Voter Education Campaign
- JUN212024
Universal Music Group's UK holding company released its Modern Slavery Statement for the financial year ending December 2023. The document details robust policies and practices to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking, including strict supplier due diligence, regular audits, and comprehensive worker training and protection measures.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 28
The statement outlines extensive measures for protecting labor rights and ensuring safe, ethical working conditions, including comprehensive training, regular audits, and strict adherence to anti-slavery practices. This demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding human rights within its operations and supply chains.
+75
Supply Chain Ethics
March 28
UMG demonstrates strong supply chain ethics through its detailed due diligence processes, regular supplier audits, and comprehensive supplier social responsibility policies that ensure compliance with anti-slavery and human trafficking regulations.
- JUN212024
Universal Music Group’s UK holding company, Universal Music Holdings Limited, released its Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for the financial year ending December 2023. The statement outlines comprehensive due diligence measures, supplier audits, contractual obligations, and employee training initiatives designed to prevent forced labor, human trafficking, and other human rights abuses within its supply chains and business practices.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The company’s detailed Modern Slavery Statement demonstrates a proactive commitment to upholding labor rights and preventing forced, bonded, or child labor. By outlining stringent supplier due diligence, regular audits, and mandatory ethical training, Universal Music Group significantly contributes to ethical business practices and protects vulnerable workers, aligning with anti-fascist and progressive values.
- MAR062024
Universal Music Group announced its plan to acquire a majority stake in Nigeria's Mavin Global, the label behind hit records by Rema and other African artists. The deal, pending regulatory approval, is set to bolster African creative industries by maintaining existing local management while expanding global reach for Afrobeats and other genres.
+50
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
Universal Music Group’s investment in Mavin Global supports ethical business practices by reinforcing local creative control and empowering African musical talent. The commitment to keeping existing management intact promotes fair representation and culturally sensitive expansion, which aligns with progressive values by boosting marginalized creative industries.
Universal Music Deal with Nigeria's Mavin Label Takes Afrobeats and ...
+35
Economic and Structural Influence
March 29
By investing in Nigeria's booming music market, Universal Music Group is facilitating economic empowerment and structural development in Africa. This move not only broadens cultural exchange but also helps counterbalance external authoritarian influences in the region, thereby promoting a more decentralized and locally-driven creative economy.
Universal Music Deal with Nigeria's Mavin Label Takes Afrobeats and ...
- DEC312023
An OpenSecrets profile reveals that Universal Music Group spent $2,260,000 on lobbying activities during 2023. This large-scale lobbying expenditure raises concerns about the corporation’s influence on public policy and democratic processes.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 28
Universal Music Group's expenditure of over $2.26 million on lobbying in 2023 demonstrates significant corporate involvement in influencing political processes. From an anti-fascist perspective, such large-scale lobbying can undermine democratic accountability and favor corporate interests over those of workers and marginalized communities.
- OCT182023
Universal Music Group announced a partnership with BandLab Technologies aimed at protecting artists and songwriters from unauthorized AI-generated imitations, reinforcing its commitment to ethical business practices and responsible technological innovation.
+80
Technology and Services Impact
March 29
UMG’s collaboration with BandLab Technologies is a proactive measure to ensure that emerging AI tools are used responsibly, protecting the intellectual property and creative rights of artists. This initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical technology practices, aligning with anti-authoritarian values by safeguarding marginalized creative voices.
+70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
By partnering with BandLab Technologies, UMG is reinforcing its commitment to ethical business practices. The measure addresses the exploitation risks posed by AI in music, ensuring that the rights and livelihoods of artists are prioritized, which is a positive step in supporting vulnerable creative communities.
- APR262023
During its quarterly earnings call on April 26, 2023, Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge issued stern warnings about the unchecked use of generative AI, highlighting potential copyright infringements and the flooding of unauthorized content on digital platforms. At the same time, the company emphasized its use of AI to enhance music production and improve artist-fan engagement through an artist-centric model.
+50
Technology and Services Impact
March 28
Universal Music Group’s strong public stance on regulating generative AI reflects a commitment to protecting artists’ rights and ensuring ethical use of technology. By warning against the flood of unwanted and potentially infringing AI-generated content, UMG supports a more responsible and artist-centric digital ecosystem, aligning with progressive values in technology and media.
Universal Music Group Issues Its Sternest Warnings Yet On AI-Generated Content
- JAN052023
Universal Music Group is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that it unlawfully withheld approximately $750 million in royalties by engaging in an undisclosed arrangement with Spotify, thereby depriving artists of their contractual earnings.
-60
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
The lawsuit accuses Universal Music Group of unethical business practices by retaining a substantial sum in royalties, which shortchanges artists and highlights a lack of fair and transparent ethical responsibility. Such practices are concerning from an anti-authoritarian perspective as they exploit creative labor and undermine contractual fairness.
Universal Music Sued For Allegedly Underpaying Spotify Royalties
- JAN012023
Universal Music Group spent $470,000 on lobbying efforts in 2023, as reported by OpenSecrets, reflecting its active engagement in influencing policy.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 28
The reported lobbying expenditure of $470,000 indicates that Universal Music Group is participating in political contributions and lobbying efforts. From an anti-fascist perspective, such use of corporate resources to influence policy can be seen as prioritizing corporate interests over democratic accountability, potentially undermining progressive governance.
- DEC312022
Universal Music Group spent $1,920,000 on lobbying efforts in 2022 as reported by OpenSecrets, raising concerns over corporate influence on political processes.
-50
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 28
Universal Music Group's reported lobbying expenditure of nearly $2 million in 2022 suggests an active engagement in political influence. Such corporate spending, under a left‑leaning anti‑fascist lens, can be seen as a mechanism to shift policy in favor of corporate interests, potentially undermining democratic accountability and reinforcing power imbalances.
- DEC312022
Universal Music Group released its Modern Slavery Statement for the financial year ending December 2022, outlining its commitment to ethical business practices, robust supplier due diligence, and the protection of labor rights to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 28
UMG's statement details strong internal measures to uphold labor rights by ensuring compliance with labor laws, employee training, and strict oversight of supply chains through regular audits and adherence to international human rights standards. This proactive stance supports workers' rights and combats modern slavery.
PDF Universal Music Group Modern Slavery Statement for Financial Year ...
+75
Supply Chain Ethics
March 28
UMG outlines comprehensive due diligence processes in its supply chain management, including third-party audits, supplier screening, and contractual enforcement of ethical standards. These practices reduce the risk of modern slavery in high-risk sectors such as textiles and merchandise production.
PDF Universal Music Group Modern Slavery Statement for Financial Year ...
- DEC312022
Universal Music Group published its Modern Slavery Statement for the financial year ending December 31, 2022. The document details comprehensive measures to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking, including robust supplier due diligence, compliance audits, and employee training, demonstrating a commitment to ethical business practices and the protection of human rights.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The Modern Slavery Statement outlines clear measures and policies that safeguard workers' rights and promote fair labor practices. UMG's detailed approach to preventing modern slavery—including mandatory training, compliance with labor laws, and implementation of whistleblower policies—demonstrates strong commitment to human rights.
PDF Universal Music Group Modern Slavery Statement for Financial Year ...
+70
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
UMG provides detailed protocols regarding its supply chain ethics, including regular third‐party audits and due diligence processes for suppliers operating in high-risk industries. These efforts help to mitigate the risks of modern slavery, ensuring ethical sourcing and accountability across its supply chains.
PDF Universal Music Group Modern Slavery Statement for Financial Year ...
- NOV042022
Universal Music Group announced a series of voter engagement initiatives for the November 2022 U.S. elections, including updated 'Use Your Voice' and 'Pull Up to the Polls' campaigns. The initiative aims to support voter education, facilitate transportation to polling places, and ensure that employees can participate by closing U.S. offices on Election Day.
+90
Public and Political Behavior
March 28
The initiative demonstrates strong Public and Political Behavior by actively promoting democratic participation and voter education. UMG’s campaign, which includes partnerships with non-partisan voter organizations and measures to ease voting barriers for marginalized communities, reflects a robust commitment to bolstering democratic engagement.
+70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 28
By designating Election Day as an official day off for UMG employees, the company supports labor rights and civic participation. This policy not only facilitates employee voting but also underscores UMG's commitment to social responsibility and inclusion for marginalized groups.
- NOV042022
Universal Music Group announced a voter engagement initiative in November 2022 which includes voter education, voter transportation, and making Election Day an official day off for employees. The campaign, driven by its Universal Music All Together Now Foundation and Task Force for Meaningful Change, partners with organizations such as HeadCount, NAACP, GLAAD, and others to support marginalized communities and increase voter turnout.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 28
This initiative reflects strong public and political engagement efforts, supporting democratic participation and helping marginalized communities overcome barriers to voting. By actively promoting voter education and participation, UMG is reinforcing democratic values.
+70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 28
UMG is demonstrating strong business practices by leveraging its corporate social responsibility to foster civic engagement. This investor-friendly approach supports ethical responsibility and builds community trust by encouraging informed and active voter participation.
- NOV042022
Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a comprehensive voter engagement initiative for the November 2022 U.S. elections through its Universal Music All Together Now Foundation and Task Force for Meaningful Change. The campaign includes enhanced voter registration, educational programs such as the 'Use Your Voice' program, transportation support via 'Pull Up to the Polls', and a new policy of closing UMG’s U.S. offices on Election Days to facilitate employee participation in voting and volunteering.
+80
Public and Political Behavior
March 28
UMG's voter engagement initiative promotes democratic participation and actively supports marginalized communities through partnerships with organizations such as Voto Latino, NAACP, and YMCA. The campaign, coupled with the decision to close UMG’s U.S. offices on Election Days to encourage employee voting, reflects a strong commitment to anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy values.
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