New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Universal
Music Group) - Universal
Music Group Distribution (UMGD), the award-winning sales and marketing division of Universal
Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has expanded its relationship with INgrooves, a leading provider of digital distribution, marketing and promotion services to the independent music community. As part of this expansion, INgrooves will now handle the distribution of all mobile products on behalf of all of UMGD's major and distributed labels in North America. The announcement was made today by Jim Urie, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMGD, and Robb McDaniels, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, INgrooves.
Previously, INgrooves handled digital distribution for Fontana, UMGD's independent distribution arm, and such UMGD-distributed labels as Hollywood, Concord and Big Machine. With this expansion of services, INgrooves will now take on responsibility for the distribution of all mobile products including ringtones, ringbacks, games, video, streaming, wallpapers and other various mobile applications, for UMG's wholly-owned major labels including Interscope Geffen A&M, Island Def Jam, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latin Entertainment, Decca Label Group, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and Universal Music Group Nashville, among others.
"The expansion of our agreement with INgrooves is a natural evolution for us and our business partners," stated Mr. Urie. "Since we began our relationship with Robb and the INgrooves team, we have been impressed with their unmatched technology and the value-added services they bring to the table. This comprehensive approach will enable us to provide even more services, all of which will result in more opportunities for our labels and artists."
"We're thrilled to have earned the respect of Jim and the entire UMGD family, and are more than ready to take this next step in our service to that great company," added Mr. McDaniels. "We look forward to working closely with UMGD and its labels to maximize efforts on the mobile front."
