All posts tagged: UMG

UMG Issues Statement on Bill Ackman Acquisition Proposal

UMG Issues Statement on Bill Ackman Acquisition Proposal

Universal Music Group issued a brief statement Monday addressing Bill Ackman‘s proposal to acquire the record company, stating that the company’s board of directors and advisors “will review the proposal in accordance with its fiduciary duties and analyze its implications for shareholders, employees, artists, songwriters and other stakeholders.” “The Board of Directors has complete confidence in UMG’s strategy and the leadership of Sir Lucian Grainge and the Company’s management team,” the company said. “UMG will have no further comment on the proposal until the Board of Directors completes its review.” Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management had unveiled its proposal late Monday, in a takeover bid worth about $63 billion. Ackman argued UMG’s stock is undervalued despite its status as the world’s largest music company, citing several factors including a delay to get UMG listed on the U.S. stock market (the company is currently traded out of Euronext and Ackman had pushed to get a U.S. listing too), as well as “suboptimal shareholder investor relations, communications, and engagement.” “Since UMG’s [stock market] listing, [UMG chairman and CEO] Sir …

Fred Armisen to Host CNN Series on UMG Archives (Exclusive)

Fred Armisen to Host CNN Series on UMG Archives (Exclusive)

Fred Armisen has been tapped for a new series collaboration between CNN and Universal Music Group, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal, with the comedian set to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at UMG’s extensive archives. UMG is the world’s largest music company, and the record company’s catalog includes some of the most iconic songs and albums of all time, from older classics like the catalogs of Blue Note and A&M Records, to the Beatles and the Beach Boys. The series, which doesn’t have a title, will give a rare look at UMG’s archives housed at the famed Iron Mountain facility in Pennsylvania. A press release for the upcoming show promises to “unearth priceless artifacts, encompassing original recordings, master tapes, rare photos and performances, alternative album art and music videos, many of which have not been seen or heard publicly before.” The series, produced by UMG’s Polygram Entertainment, TIME Studios and Known Originals, is set to premiere later this year through CNN Originals’ programming slate, CNN and UMG said. “This series opens the doors to one of the …