Hit songwriter Diane Warren’s award-winning Realsongs catalogue will now be administered by Universal Music Publishing Group outside of North America. She will continue to self-administer her copyrights in the US.
As part of he new deal, Warren will also serve as a global A&R consultant for UMG’s recorded music artists around the world. The deal was confirmed by UMG Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge, the company’s President & COO Zach Horowitz, Ms. Warren and her manager, Merck Mercuriadis.
Warren has worked with such iconic superstars such as Aerosmith, Elton John, Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Cher and Barbra Streisand. Ms. Warren also works with many of today’s chart-toppers including Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, Carrie Underwood, Joss Stone, Natasha Bedingfield, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Akon and Jennifer Hudson,
“This is a milestone event for UMG as Diane is one of the finest songwriters of her generation, and certainly one of the most commercially successful,” stated Grainge. On the recorded music side, she will now become UMG’s ‘go-to-creative’ person — available to our labels and artists around the globe to write songs that will help to fully realise their potential. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“Diane Warren’s catalogue of popular songs is second to none,” commented Horowitz. “Decade after decade, she continues to write perfectly crafted hits for artists from all genres of music, constantly topping the charts throughout the world. The depth and breadth of her catalog is simply remarkable. We couldn’t be more excited about welcoming her to Universal Music Publishing Group.”
Since her debut in 1983 with Laura Branigan’s Top Ten hit Solitaire, Warren has written hits including Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, If You Asked Me To, Because You Loved Me, UnBreak My Heart, How Do I Live, Don’t Turn Around, and I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing. Her songs have also been featured in nearly 100 motion pictures.
Realsongs was established in 1986, soon after Warren scored three Top 10 Hits with I Get Weak (Belinda Carlisle), Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (Starship), and Who Will You Run To? (Heart). Warren holds the exclusive rights to all of her music.
“I’m excited to be joining Lucian, Zach and the entire UMG team,” said Warren. “This is an incredible opportunity to have my songs handled by the world’s leading publishing company, with an aggressive and proven team that will ensure our creative efforts are maximized. And at the same time, being given a unique platform that will provide special access to working with UMG’s recording artists on a global basis.”
“Our new relationship with UMG brings together publishing and records in such a manner that we can all maximize the benefits in numerous ways,” added Mercuriadis. “I commend Lucian and Zach on their innovation and willingness to push the envelope even further to build such a home for truly inventive creators as Diane.”Music Business Worldwide
