Monte Lipman, president/CEO of Universal Republic Records and Avery Lipman, the label’s co-president/COO, have signed new long-term contracts with Universal Music Group.
Universal Republic’s roster includes Jack Johnson, Amy Winehouse, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Enrique Iglesias, Florence + The Machine, Godsmack, India.Arie, Jay Sean (Cash Money Records), Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (Vagrant Records), Bow Wow (Cash Money Records) and Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg. The label also has joint ventureswith Lava Records , Downtown Records, Indie-Pop Records, Simmons Records and Tuff Gong Records.
Recent Universal Republic signings include Martina McBride and the The Band Perry on Republic Nashville (its partnership with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records). Headquartered on Music Row, Republic Nashville utilizes the resources of Big Machine Records and Universal Republic Records. Both labels first joined forces in 2007 to propel country Superstar Taylor Swift to Mainstream Pop radio audiences and beyond, with Taylor becoming one the best-selling artists in the world.
“Monte and Avery are two of the most innovative executives in the business today,” Mr. Grainge said. . “From the time they launched Republic Records in 1995, to the formation of Universal Republic, they have displayed creative leadership at its very best. They have been guided by a real passion and savvy for discovering and nurturing new talent, while from the business perspective, they have done an outstanding job in creating one of the industry’s most successful new labels known for its winning spirit and culture. We could not be more delighted to have them as part of the UMG team.”