Universal Music Group Announces Global Partnership With Italian Music Label Sugar

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a strategic global partnership with leading Italian music company Sugar, one of the most prestigious independent music companies in the world.

This expansive new worldwide agreement will provide Sugar with the industry’s best resources and expertise across their iconic recorded music and film soundtrack catalogues, alongside global support for the label’s celebrated contemporary artist roster. The strategic partnership is focused on developing the Sugar roster and label footprint worldwide.

Extends a 25-year relationship between the two companies

This extends a 25-year relationship between the two companies, having forged a successful working partnership across numerous groundbreaking projects with world-renowned Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli – including, his record-breaking, live-streamed Easter performance earlier this year from the Duomo cathedral in Milan, Italy, and the global chart-topping success of Si, Bocelli’s most recent studio album, which was nominated for a Grammy and reached number one in both the official U.S. and U.K. album charts, for the first time in his distinguished career in October, 2018.

The partnership marks the beginning of a new era of creative collaboration between the two companies, with Universal Music Group distributing the entirety of Sugar’s celebrated catalogues from throughout the label’s extraordinary 88-year history.

Sugar has been at the forefront of Italian music culture for decades

Sugar, founded in Milan in 1932 by Ladislao Sugar, has been at the forefront of Italian music culture for decades. It is home to one of the most prestigious Italian and French catalogues of soundtracks, CAM Sugar, which includes over 2,000 original soundtracks and documents the sound of Italian cinema. La Dolce Vita, 8½ and Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) are but a few of the works from over 400 music maestros, including Nino Rota, Ennio Morricone and Luis Bacalov, in their iconic catalogue that will be re-introduced to a new generation of music and film lovers and distributed worldwide through Decca Records/UMG.

Sugar Music is also renowned for its wide-ranging contemporary roster of leading Italian artists, including the number one Italian artist in the world Andrea Bocelli, whose music will now be distributed via UMG Italy.

Future recordings from Sugar’s frontline roster of artists will now be distributed domestically via UMG Italy, with support from Universal Music Group’s global network of labels to reach new audiences around the world.

Sugar Music Group is a family-run business which embraces innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit and is today led by third generation music executive, President and CEO, Filippo Sugar. “I believe that in today’s marketplace, the greatest opportunity for an independent label is to develop its artists and repertoire globally,” noted Sugar. “Having one, truly unique, worldwide distribution solution for the entire breadth of Sugar recordings is a very important step, as we look to grow our reach and visibility into new territories. Having worked with Universal on various projects for over 20 years, I felt this was the right time to turn the page and write a new chapter. As soon as I had the opportunity to lay out my vision with Lucian, in a matter of minutes, the ball started rolling. I wish to thank Lucian for having always been there for me, and very much look forward to working with the many talented Executives within the UMG family, to bring to life some new innovative projects from Italy. We have some great new music on the way.”

“We are thrilled to expand our long-standing relationship with Filippo and Sugar Music” – Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said, “We are thrilled to expand our long-standing relationship with Filippo and Sugar Music, and to provide support for their artists and rich catalogues worldwide. A true family business, Sugar has helped introduce the world to Italian music culture throughout its eighty-year history. Over the years, they have been a great partner to us for Andrea Bocelli, and we look forward to many more successes together in the future.”

Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Global Classics & Jazz, Universal Music Group, added, “We are delighted to begin a new partnership with Sugar Music after 25 years of long-standing collaboration. It is a privilege to work with Filippo Sugar, his incredible roster of contemporary Italian artists, and the historic Sugar film catalogue which includes some of the most iconic scores ever written. We look forward to sharing this remarkable music with the world.”

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Format: UK English