Independent Music Professionals Launch 100 Voices Campaign to Oppose UMG Acquiring Downtown

Over 100 prominent figures in the music industry across 20 countries have launched 100 Voices, a campaign against Universal Music Group’s (UMG) acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings.

The campaign:

• Some of the professionals participating in 100 Voices are: David Martin, CEO of Featured Artists’ Coalition; Alison Wenham, COO of Chrysalis Records; and Alexander Warnke, CEO of PRO Agency.

• According to the campaign’s website, they claim “this acquisition would eliminate a significant competitor to UMG, increase its bargaining power, and enhance its control over key parts of the supply chain of music.”

• The campaign delivered their statements directly to the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis, who is overseeing the current investigation into the UMG/Downtown deal.

• Dombrovskis could potentially block the deal if he finds it would “have a negative impact on artists, labels, and ultimately, European consumers.”

Background:

• Downtown operates multiple major companies in the music industry, including Fuga, CD Baby, Curve, and Songtrust.

• Over 200 professionals previously signed an open letter demanding that the deal be blocked.

What they said:

• Virgin Music co-CEOs Nat Pastor and JT Myers (UMG subsidiary Virgin Music Group is overseeing the Downtown acquisition): “The independent sector continues to grow and diversify, and we believe this partnership provides resources, transparency, and innovation that help our partners compete and thrive in an increasingly dynamic global market.”