MUMBAI: Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) has entered into a strategic alliance with digital music distribution company TuneCore. As part of this agreement, TuneCore will provide and host distribution portals for UMG’s labels as well as partner labels and artists.

Further, as an artist’s career grows, they may benefit from having a number of artist-discovery, marketing and upstreaming opportunities within the UMGD system.

This partnership further expands UMG’s growing portfolio of strategic media alliances, while enhancing the services and opportunities that UMGD provides partner labels and artists. UMGD will also provide TuneCore’s customers with a comprehensive menu of artist services, including licensing opportunities and professional audio mastering. Additionally, Guitar Center, also a TuneCore investor and strategic partner, will provide to UMGD access to its entire chain of over 200 stores nationwide as a non-traditional retail channel for the sale of physical product which includes select TuneCore artist titles.

"Our agreement with TuneCore highlights UMGD’s commitment to a strong sales philosophy and long-term artist development. UMGD is uniquely positioned to provide the most flexible and comprehensive digital and physical distribution, sales and marketing services in the industry, all of which results in more profitable opportunities for both our labels and our artists," said UMGD president & CEO Jim Urie.

"Honestly, Universal is one of the most forward thinking record labels on the planet. With this deal UMGD has truly changed the rules and the major label model by providing true choice for a musician. If an artist is doing well, there is a direct line through which UMGD can extend its hand or, via the existing TuneCore model, the artist can choose to continue to succeed on their own. It is the continuation of the shift to serve the musician," added TuneCore founder & CEO Jeff Price.