Meta and Universal Music Group Strike a New Chord: Expanding Horizons for Artists and Songwriters

By Brian K. Neal

In a significant move that promises to reshape the landscape of digital music, Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced an expanded global, multi-year agreement. This partnership, which now includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Threads, and for the first time, WhatsApp, aims to unlock new creative and commercial opportunities for UMG artists and songwriters under the Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) umbrella.

The renewed deal isn’t just about access; it’s about fairness. Both Meta and UMG are united in their mission to protect the integrity of human artistry, ensuring that artists and songwriters receive the compensation they deserve. An essential component of this partnership is their joint effort to tackle the growing issue of unauthorized AI-generated content that could jeopardize the rights and revenue of creators.

This agreement builds on the foundation laid in 2017, when UMG became the first major music company to license its catalog across Facebook’s platforms. That landmark deal set the stage for a new era of collaboration between the music industry and social media, positioning Facebook as a pioneer among major social media platforms in embracing fully licensed music content.

Meta’s vast digital ecosystem has long been a hub for artists and songwriters to engage with fans, creating a vibrant space for music to thrive. Since 2017, Meta and UMG have explored innovative ways to integrate licensed music into various aspects of the Meta experience, including virtual reality, live streaming, and user-generated content. With this new agreement, UMG artists and songwriters are poised to benefit from even greater monetization opportunities, particularly in the burgeoning short-form video space. Moreover, the inclusion of WhatsApp as a licensed platform marks a new frontier in the partnership, promising fresh avenues for creativity and engagement.

Tamara Hrivnak, VP of Music and Content Business Development at Meta, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership’s future, stating, “We are thrilled to renew our collaboration with Universal Music Group and Universal Music Publishing Group, who have been trailblazers in the realm of music on social media. This partnership not only strengthens the connection between fans, artists, and songwriters on established platforms like Instagram and Facebook but also opens up exciting new possibilities on WhatsApp and beyond.”

Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer & EVP of Universal Music Group, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Meta’s consistent commitment to amplifying the role of music across its platforms. “Since our groundbreaking 2017 agreement, Meta has been a steadfast partner in championing the value of music within its global network. We share a vision that respects and protects human creativity, ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated fairly. Together, we will continue to address the challenges posed by unauthorized AI-generated content, safeguarding the rights of creators now and in the future.”

As Meta and UMG continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital music realm, this expanded partnership promises to be a game-changer for artists, songwriters, and fans alike.