Photo credit: UMPG
Universal Music Publishing UK has signed multi-platinum singer-songwriter Niall Horan to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced the signing of an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with multi-platinum singer-songwriter Niall Horan. UMPG, the global publishing division of Universal Music Group, has a global presence and is home to many of the industry’s leading songwriters.
A self-taught guitarist and lifelong songwriter, Niall Horan has sold over 80 million records and toured the world as a member of One Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. In 2017, the Irish native released his first full-length solo album, Flickerdebuted at #1 in the US and Ireland.
His follow-up album 2020, heartbreak weather, debuted at No. 4 in the US and No. 1 on the Irish and UK charts – Horan’s first UK No. 1 as a solo artist. Horan landed his second number 1 in the UK as a solo artist with his latest and long-awaited third album. The show. The album features co-writing by Grammy Award-winning UMPG songwriters Jimmy Napes and Tobias Jesso Jr.
“It is my great pleasure to sign with UMPG. I’ve known Mike (McCormack) personally for many years and I’m so fortunate to be able to work with a man who firstly genuinely cares about the art and the art of writing a song and secondly knows the world of publishing no others,” says Horan (pictured left). “Having met the amazing Jody Gerson, whom I’ve known throughout my career as a badass publisher, and when I felt the love from her and Mike, I honestly didn’t go anywhere else.”
“I’ve known Niall for years and he has always shown a deep commitment to the art of songwriting,” says Mike McCormack (pictured center left), Managing Director of UMPG UK. “I am delighted that UMPG has the privilege of representing his past, present and future solo work and supporting his artistic endeavors alongside Harry (Magee, pictured center right) and Richard (Griffiths, pictured right) of Modest Management.” We are particularly excited to celebrate Niall’s fantastic new LP and know he has a bright future ahead of him.”
“Mike has been talking to me about Niall since our lockdown bike rides and when the album finally came out it was post-lockdown in McCormack’s kitchen with good wine, my phone and the obligatory Bluetooth speaker.” adds Harry Magee, Modest Management , add. “He really understands Niall’s musicality and his singer-songwriter spirit, which has reached a new level of maturity on this record. Mike was hooked from that day on, so this partnership has always been in the stars.”