Music Industry Moves: UTA Signs Christina Aguilera; Virgin Music Group Acquires Saban Music Latin

UTA has signed Christina Aguilera for worldwide representation.

Aguilera joins a roster that includes a renowned list of global entertainers, from Bad Bunny, 21 Savage and Rosalía to Lizzo, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne and Guns N’ Roses, among many others. The pop singer is a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and achieved five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. She is represented by Roc Nation and imPRint.

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The news comes just as Aguilera kicked off her second career Las Vegas residency at the Venetian Resort over New Year’s weekend. She will perform several dates at the venue through March.

+ Virgin Music Group (VMG) has announced the acquisition of Saban Music Latin, acquiring the catalog and future albums by a select number of the entertainment company’s artists.

Selected artists are German Montero, Fuerza De Tijuana, Reykon, Jon Z, Almighty, Jesus Mendoza, Banda Cruz De Oro, Michael Stuart and Abel Zazueta Y Los De Culiacan. Saban Music Latin’s roster of leading artists includes Chesca, Loyal Lobos, and YoGambii.

In recent years, Virgin Music Group — which currently operates divisions in eight Latin markets, including Mexico, the Andean region, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and the U.S. — has partnered with several Latin artists and labels, most notably in 2023 with Eslabon Armado (DEL Records). Virgin Music Group’s artist roster is comprised of such Latin stars as Pepe Aguilar, Sech, Grupo Firme, Tainy, Dalex, Luis Alfonso Partida, El Yaki, ANAVITORIA, Dani Flow, Angela Aguilar, and Grupo Recluta, among others.

+ Wise Music Group has hired Betsey Perlmutter as vice president of Schirmer Theatrical, Wise Music Group’s concert and theatrical production company. Perlmutter will lead Schirmer Theatrical as it embarks on its expanded international rights development strategy to leverage Wise Music’s global catalog across symphonic, ballet/dance, concert, film concert and theatrical.

In addition to the 150 non-traditional symphonic and film concerts Schirmer Theatrical produces each year, the company has recently expanded into commercial theater, most recently as co-
producer of the stage production “Sugar Hill” (featuring the music of Duke Ellington and Billy
Strayhorn), and as the lead producer of “Monk’s Dream,” the authorized theatrical production of Thelonious Monk’s life.

“I am honored to be joining the talented and dedicated team at Schirmer Theatrical and Wise Music Group at large,” said Perlmutter. “Together, with collaboration at the core, we will forge new pathways internationally to amplify our dynamic composers and songwriters through thrilling partnerships and stories yet untold.”

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Tencent Music Entertainment Group, an online music and audio entertainment platform based in China, and Universal Music Group, have announced the renewal of a multi-year licensing agreement.

With the agreement being re-upped, Tencent will continue to have reach over UMG’s music catalogs for the music apps QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, and WeSing. The partnership includes music streaming in Dolby Atmos and high-definition (HD) formats.

Regarding the partnership, Adam Granite, UMG’s executive vice president of market development, said UMG will work together with TMW to “help create compelling new experiences for fans across all TME platforms “with our renewed focus on signing and supporting the best talent from across Greater China.”

“UMG has been an invaluable ecosystem partner to TME with deep mutual trust,” said Cussion Pang, executive chairman of TME. “Our diverse user demographics, large subscriber base, extensive industry insights, and advanced technologies have positioned us as a standout partner of choice. With a shared passion for music, we look forward to enriching our cooperation and strengthening our vibrant ecosystem to promote growth and prosperity.”

+ Sphere Entertainment Co. has promoted Ed Lunger to senior vice president and general manager of the Las Vegas Sphere. Lunger previously served as vice president and assistant general manager, back of house operations, for the new venue.

Lunger has been a key member of the Sphere venue leadership team since 2020 and before that, Lunger spent seven years on the venue operations team at the Forum arena in Inglewood, California, which was part of the MSG Family of Companies until its sale in May 2020.

“Being part of the Sphere team opening this next-generation venue has been an honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to now lead our venue operations team in this new role,” said Lunger. “Sphere is setting a new standard for the in-venue guest experience, and I look forward to working with my colleagues across the organization as we continue to deliver unforgettable moments for our guests right here in Las Vegas.”

In his new role, Lunger oversees a wide range of functions as part of the overall management of the venue, including building operations, event production, technical operations, guest services, food and beverage, merchandise operations, and ticket operations. He also works cross-functionally across the Sphere organization to develop, execute, and support strategic plans aligned with Sphere’s overall business objectives.

+ AWAL has appointed Jacqueline Rossi, who most recently served as senior director of global commercial partnerships at the label, to lead the global commercial partnerships team in North America. Additionally, Dale Connone, who also spearheads the music coalition In2une Music, will now oversee North American streaming and promotion.

+ Planet Fitness has announced a partnership with Megan Thee Stallion AKA “Mother Fitness” to encourage gym goers to find their “Big Fitness Energy.”

The partnership features a multi-faceted marketing campaign that includes: advertising and commercial spots, a unique AR filter, charitable co-branded merchandise and free in-app Planet Fitness workouts, inspired by the Grammy-winning rapper. In addition, Planet Fitness and Megan have joined forces to create a co-branded exclusive merchandise line available online at the Planet Fitness store website, with all proceeds benefiting the Pete & Thomas Foundation, the non-profit organization Megan founded that focuses on uplifting and assisting women, children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in Houston, Texas and across the world through education, housing, health and wellness.

Said Megan, “Working out is such an important part of my routine, so this partnership with Planet Fitness genuinely embodies my personal values. We want to encourage everyone to prioritize their physical and mental health heading into the New Year, so they can reach new heights in 2024 and continue to grow into the best version of themselves.”

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