Universal Music Publishing UK has signed multi-platinum singer-songwriter Niall Horan to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced the signing of multi-platinum singer-songwriter Niall Horan to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. The global publishing division of Universal Music Group, UMPG has a worldwide presence as home to many of the industry’s leading songwriters.
A self-taught guitarist and lifelong songwriter, Niall Horan has sold over 80 million records and toured the globe as a member of One Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands ever. In 2017, the Ireland native released his first full-length solo album, Flicker, debuting at No. 1 in the US and Ireland.
His follow-up 2020 album, Heartbreak Weather, debuted at No. 4 in the US and No. 1 on the Irish and UK charts — Horan’s first UK No. 1 as a solo artist. Horan landed his second UK No. 1 as a solo artist with his latest and long-awaited third album, The Show. The album features co-writes from Grammy award-winning UMPG songwriters Jimmy Napes and Tobias Jesso Jr.
“It’s my absolute pleasure to sign with UMPG. I have known Mike (McCormack) personally for many years, and I’m so happy that I get to work with a man who firstly, genuinely cares about artistry and the art of writing a song and, secondly, knows the world of publishing like no other,” says Horan (pictured left). “To have met the great Jody Gerson, who I’ve known of throughout my career as being a badass publisher, and when I felt the love from her and Mike, I wasn’t going anywhere else, to be honest.”
“I’ve known Niall for years, and he has always shown a deep commitment to the art of songwriting,” says Mike McCormack (pictured center left), UMPG UK Managing Director. “I’m thrilled UMPG has the privilege to represent his past, present, and future solo works and support his artistry alongside Harry (Magee, pictured center right) and Richard (Griffiths, pictured right) from Modest Management. We are especially excited to be celebrating Niall’s fantastic new LP and know he has a bright future ahead.”
“Mike has been talking to me about Niall since our lockdown bike rides, and when the album finally started to come together, it was then very post-lockdown in McCormack’s kitchen with some great wine, my phone, and the obligatory Bluetooth speaker,” adds Harry Magee, Modest Management. “He really gets Niall’s musicality and singer-songwriter spirit, which has reached new levels of maturity on this record. Mike was excited from that day, and so this partnership has always been written in the stars.”
