Michael Nash In The News

Inside the UMG-backed patent portfolio targeting AI music derivatives: A technical blueprint for the walled garden model?

An entity linked to UMG has been building a patent portfolio around AI-music infrastructure

UMG’s Michael Nash takes aim at ‘false narrative of artist replacement’ by AI – and 3 other things we learned from his HumanX panel with Splice’s CEO

The pair discussed UMG's approach to AI, including how the company balances protecting artists' rights with leaning into AI innovation

News

After Universal, Warner, and Merlin deals, now Udio inks licensing agreement with Kobalt

The deal marks Kobalt’s second AI music platform partnership, following its 2025 licensing agreement with ElevenLabs.

Analysis News

Mandopop superstar Jay Chou is about to release his new album ‘Children of the Sun’ via UMG, led by a $2.8M music video. The timing couldn’t be more significant.

The album is also the first new studio record released since Chou and his label JVR Music signed a strategic global partnership with Universal Music Greater China in December 2023,

Analysis News

Sir Lucian Grainge talks AI strategy, Downtown, D2C, superfans, and more on UMG’s latest earnings call

MBW listened in to UMG's latest earnings call. Here's what we learned.

News

Artist representatives launch ‘Say No To Suno’ campaign: ‘AI slop dilutes the royalty pools of legitimate artists from whose music this slop is derived.’

Open letter slams AI music generator

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Suno hires ex-Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota as Chief Commercial Officer

Sirota will report directly to CEO Mikey Shulman.

News

Spotify eyes AI ‘derivatives’ as new revenue stream for artists – says its tech to let fans make remixes and covers is ready

Spotify says it wants to enable listeners to interact with their favorite artists' music through AI