Rocket Entertainment and Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment announced a significant new agreement to provide Elton John, one of music’s most iconic artists and the most successful male solo artist in US Billboard chart history, the industry’s best resources and expertise across recorded music, music publishing and licensing rights.
The partnership not only means that UMG represents the entirety of Elton John’s legendary creative output throughout his extraordinary five-decade career, but also will see UMG’s labels globally release all of Elton John’s new music for the rest of his career going forward.
The multi-faceted agreement marks the beginning of a new era of expanded collaboration between Elton John and UMG and significantly expands their global business partnership. The long-term commitment also includes the publishing rights to his iconic songwriting catalog to be administrated by Universal Music Publishing Group long into the future. Bravado, UMG’s brand-management, and merchandise company will work closely with Rocket to expand and develop global merchandising, branding and retail licensing opportunities around Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour and catalog.
In making the announcement, Elton John said, “In UMG we’ve got the perfect partners to support all aspects of my creative endeavour. Lucian, Jody, David and the UMG family share the values that we hold dear – nurturing artistry, restless creativity, and innovation. I’m proud and delighted to have them stand alongside me as I embark on the next phase of my career”
Working with David Furnish, CEO of Rocket Entertainment, UMG will leverage its unique combination of global reach, creative and commercial expertise, and renowned marketing and promotional support to ensure Elton John’s current releases, alongside his rich songwriting and recorded music catalogs, are continually introduced to new generations of fans, and that his music’s cultural impact expands through innovative campaigns in countries around the world.
David Furnish, CEO of Rocket Entertainment, said, “Elton’s hunger and desire to push himself creatively and collaborate with the best, most exciting creatives in the world are as great as ever, and Universal fully shares our vision to keep Elton at the forefront of popular culture.”
David Joseph, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK, said, “We adore working with Elton, naturally because he’s one of the greatest artists in the world with songs which connect with every generation, but also for his unrivalled support and championing of new artists. Since David became CEO of Rocket, he’s brought a new energy and perspective which has made our partnership more ambitious, innovative and collaborative than it has ever been.”
Since becoming CEO of Rocket Entertainment in 2015, Furnish has fostered an ever-closer working partnership with UMG.
