Universal Music Group and Multi-platform promotion

In what ways is UMG working towards integrating music with television? Why do you think this is an important focus for the label?


UMG is integrating music with television by 'creating programming around its current and catalogue artists, alongside developing new television formats, both music-based and factual. It will develop programme ideas in-house, as well as working closely with independent production companies.'


Universal Music Group International Chairman and ceo Lucian Grainge says: “The launch of Globe is a natural progression for Universal Music. The opportunities for our artists in television are immense, and through Globe we are taking a more pro-active approach, closing the gap between artists and broadcasters. I hope we can find new ways of presenting music on television, and the promotional aspect is just the tip of the iceberg; my vision for Globe is to develop ground-breaking television formats which can be successful worldwide."






Globe productions is UMG-owned but UK-based with a partnership between Globe and ITV. Why do you think it is important to UMG to open companies like this in countries outside the US?


I think it is important to open companies like this in countries outside the US as it will meet that specific countries audience.


EXAMPLE:


Globe already has several programme ideas in development and has secured its first commissions, the latest being a documentary on Paul Weller via a new ongoing relationship with Double Jab Productions. A similar alliance with Monkey, the independent production company set up by Will Macdonald and David Granger, resulted in the six-week series on Girls Aloud which has already been a ratings hit for E4 and will be broadcast on Channel Four this autumn. Globe Productions owns a stake in these and all further joint commissions, as well as owning ancillary rights such as audio and DVD spin-offs.

 Find out about the ITV programme Popstar to Opera Star, produced with Globe Productions. How did UMG use the programme to promote it's artists and songs? Why do you think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience?


POPSTAR TO OPERA STAR


Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme based around the training of current pop stars to be able to sing opera.


Format:


The show starts with 8 celebrity singers who are known for singing pop music. Each week they are trained by mentors to sing opera. At the end of each week they give a live performance on television and the viewers vote to decide which singers they want to keep. One of the two singers with the fewest votes is to be eliminated by the judges. If the judges' votes are tied the person with the lowest number of tele-votes is eliminated. A proportion of the revenue from the telephone votes is donated to the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity


UMG used the programme to promote some of it's artists such as Vanessa White from the Saturdays who are signed to Universal Records. The programme also featured songs from Universal Records. The judges used for the show are signed to Universal records.


I think UMG created a programme like this for a UK audience because the audience are familar with the British Acts featured such as Alex James from Blur and Vanessa White from the Saturdays and Kym Marsh who was part of Hear say and is now on coronation Street the UK audience will have seen these people before.






Search the UMG website for information about Six-string, the UMG guitar game. Why is it a different and successful product? Why d you think UMG has made a deal to make it available to iTunes?


What can you find out about Web 2.0? Consider its effect on the music industry.