Universal Music Publishing Group appoints David Gray to head of the UMPG Global Creative Group

24 August 2022 - Press release

  

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group's leading global publishing division, today announced that respected publishing executive David Gray will serve in an expanded role as Head of the UMPG Global Creative Group. He will also continue in his position as Executive Vice President and Head of US A&R. Based in New York City, Gray will continue reporting to Jody Gerson, UMPG Chairman and CEO.

Gray will head the newly formed UMPG Global Creative Group, a team of senior A&R executives across key territories who will identify and expand global creative opportunities for UMPG songwriters, artists and producers. The Group's formation reinforces the company's commitment to always innovating upon its leading A&R publishing strategy. Additionally, the move further empowers UMPG creative leadership to accelerate global talent strategies and maximize high value opportunities for the company's world-class songwriters.

Additionally, in his role as Head of US A&R, Gray will continue driving creative publishing strategy for UMPG's US-based songwriters, artists and producers; lead the team in identifying, signing and developing early rising talent; support legacy talent by providing opportunities to strengthen their careers; and further grow the company's best-in-class US A&R team.

Jody Gerson, UMPG Chairman and CEO, said: "David Gray is always the first to offer support to all of our writers and our creative executives, from all over the world.  With this much deserved promotion, David will further build on UMPG's global creative strategy which sets us apart from the industry - from investing in the best talent across all territories and developing their careers, to supporting music's biggest superstars."

Gray said: "As UMPG continues to lead the industry with our best-in-class A&R strategy, our newly formed Global Creative Group will further maximize the worldwide success of our songwriters. I am grateful for Jody Gerson for allowing me to lead in this area and am confident that UMPG's next creative chapters will be our best yet."

Having been with UMPG since 2013, Gray previously served as Co-Head, A&R and, prior, as EVP, Head of West Coast A&R. He is responsible for the signing of numerous multiplatinum artists to the company including Shawn Mendes, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Julia Michaels, Delacey, Logic, major producer Tommy Brown. Additionally, Gray works closely with UMPG's Grammy Award-nominated producers Take A Daytrip and helped the duo build No Idle, a joint venture publishing company with UMPG.

Gray has broad music industry experience across diverse roles including as an artist, songwriter, music publisher and TV music executive. He previously held A&R executive positions at Zomba, Sony Music International, David Massey's Daylight Records imprint at Sony Music and Syco Music where he developed artists including Leona Lewis, Il Divo, Westlife, Alexandra Burke and more. He also worked at Syco overseeing music and casting for hit TV shows X Factor and America's Got Talent. Gray started his career as a songwriter signed to UMPG and was lead singer of band Idle Wilds (RCA Records).

Under Gray's A&R leadership at the company, UMPG has been named ASCAP Publisher of the Year, BMI Publisher of the Year, ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Publisher of the Year, and more.