What It Does: Universal Music Group specialises in producing, distributing, and promoting the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed music worldwide to entertain music lovers.
Mission: Universal Music Group’s mission is to discover and groom talented recording artists and songwriters and produce music content that will delight music fans all around the world.
Size and Presence: Universal Music UK employs about 1,300 staff across its offices in the region.
Best Known For: UMG is widely regarded as one of the three biggest music publishing corporations in the world, alongside industry giants such as Sony and Warner Music. In 2019, UMG was named by Fast Company as the most innovative music company globally, and it also named UMG as one of the top 50 innovative firms in the world. UMG is best known as the model of a modern music label.
The Good Bits: UMG is a great place to work thanks to its rich culture and supportive work environment. The company’s staff enjoy numerous work incentives in addition to basic compensation. The job is exciting.
The Not-So-Good Bits: The work-life balance needs improvement.
UMG's history can be traced back to the establishment of Decca Records in late 1934. Its name and logo are intertwined with that of Universal Pictures, although both are separate entities. In 1962, Decca Records agreed to a merger deal with MCA Inc. between 1990 and 1995, MCA went through two takeovers. After the second one, the firm was renamed Universal Studios, Inc., while the music division was rebranded as Universal Music Group. In mid-1998, Seagram, the second company to acquire MCA and rename it, bought Polygram and merged it with Universal Music Group the following year.
In 2004, Vivendi sold the majority of its stakes in Universal Music Group to General Electric and later bought the remaining 20% from Matsushita Electric. In 2007, UMG acquired Sanctuary and made the company its brand management and merchandising subsidiary. UMG renamed the company Bravado, and the firm is known to represent world-famous stars, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West. In 2008, UMG agreed to distribution rights with Spotify. In 2011, UMG purchased EMI's recorded music operations for £1.2 billion. UMG ventured into Film and TV production when it purchased Eagle Rock Entertainment. In late 2021, UMG had its first IPO.
UMG is a community-powered by human creativity and innovation in a very competitive industry. The work atmosphere is charged with excitement and positivity not just because the employees enjoy what they do but also because they're willing to collaborate together to get the job done. UMG is home to diversity and inclusion, and no one, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, gender identity, political affiliation, socio-economic background, etc., feels left out or marginalised. The management is easy to work with, and performances are appraised. The positive attitude of the employees also extends to new graduates and interns who are given the necessary support to settle in.
UMG grooms its workforce through its internship program, which is targeted at new graduates and students. This program is designed to nurture the next crop of music industry leaders through practical work experience behind the scenes of the spotlight and through training on the intricacies of the music business. Through the internship program, participants are exposed to networking opportunities with some of the best minds in the industry, as well as professional development opportunities with mentors. UMG interns are equipped through this program to add value to the organisation. The internship programme covers a limitless number of career fields in the organisation.
UMG pays its freshers an average salary of £30,000 yearly.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, UMG provided relief funds to severely affected communities.
UMG isn’t involved in any widely published controversy in the UK.