Universal Music Publishing Group has announced a new partnership with narrative-focused podcast creator Audio Up, opening up new opportunities for their songwriters to write original music for the company’s programs. According to the announcement, UMPG writers can be “signed” by Audio Up to make these themes and scores.
Additionally, UMPG signed the company’s CEO, “Jingle Jared” Gutstadt, to an exclusive global publishing deal. With a background in writing and producing for production and contemporary music, Gutstadt is the rare example of a working musician and music business entrepreneur. He founded both Audio Up and music production agency Jingle Punks, which sold to Anthem Entertainment (formerly known as Ole) in 2015.
Audio Up productions are supported by SiriusXM and Audible, and the company hopes to use podcasting as a “trojan horse” for introducing audiences to new tracks. In the past, Audio Up has worked with marquee acts like Machine Gun Kelly, T-Bone Burnett, Miranda Lambert, 24KGoldn and iann dior. It describes its model as similar to that of Broadway musicals, which weave catchy songs into larger stories and character arcs.
Marc Cimino, COO at UMPG, says that UMPG is “excited” to work with the “uniquely talented” Gutstadt “to discover and develop versatile songwriters who can create music both for these fan-favorite podcasts as well as contemporary hits.”
Gutstadt added, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Universal Music Publishing on this first-of-its-kind endeavor. We see podcasting as a gateway to music discovery and hit songs of the future. Our unique blend of music-based content unlocks incredible stories and music by some of the top recording artists in the space. Our secret sauce is a Tin Pan Alley model with completely integrated and original music capabilities from within our walls. We’re excited to bring this to life and start signing next-generation songwriters to plug and play within Universal Music Publishing and their greater capabilities alongside the power of Audio Up.”
