TuneCore, UMG Announce Distro, Marketing Partnership

TuneCore and Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) are now officially announcing their digital distribution partnership. The customized deal finds TuneCore powering direct-to-retailer functionality within UMG label sites, among many other cross-fertilized services. The tie-up is being announced today by Jim Urie, President & CEO of UMGD, and Jeff Price, Founder & CEO of TuneCore.

The deal essentially allows UMGD to offer better services to partner labels and artists. That includes a simple TuneCore-powered distribution, though the partnership allows UMGD to pitch more sophisticated distribution and marketing services to promising acts.

Additionally, UMGD will also be pitching existing TuneCore artists on licensing opportunities and professional audio mastering. "If an artist is doing well, there is a direct line through which UMGD can extend its hand or, via the existing TuneCore model, the artist can choose to continue to succeed on their own," commented Price. "It is the continuation of the shift to serve the musician."

The partnership also involves Guitar Center, a TuneCore investor and strategic partner. As part of the pact, Guitar Center will open floorspace to certain UMGD titles, a non-traditional outlet that already includes TuneCore releases.

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