Universal Music Group Acquires 25.8% Stake in Chord Music Partners

Pershing Square (via SPARC) Proposes to Acquire Universal Music Group

April 7, 2026

Media & Entertainment

Pershing Square Capital Management has submitted a non-binding proposal to Universal Music Group (UMG) to acquire all outstanding shares of UMG through a business combination. The transaction contemplates a merger of UMG with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, with the newly merged company (“New UMG”) expected to close by year-end and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Virgin Music Group Acquires Downtown Music Holdings

February 23, 2026

Media & Entertainment

Virgin Music Group (VMG) and Universal Music Group’s global independent music division entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Downtown Music Holdings LLC for $775 million in cash. The deal was subject to regulatory approvals and was expected to close in the second half of 2025, creating a combined end-to-end platform serving independent artists, entrepreneurs, and rights holders.

Searchlight Capital Partners Invests in Chord Music Partners

August 14, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Funds advised by Searchlight Capital Partners have made a strategic growth investment in Chord Music Partners to support expansion of its recorded music and publishing catalogs and to accelerate acquisition activity. The investment will strengthen Chord's ability to identify and execute new music-IP acquisitions and support continued growth of its platform backed by strategic relationships including Universal Music Group.

Chord Energy to Combine with Enerplus in ~$11B Stock and Cash Deal

February 25, 2024

Oil & Gas

Chord Energy and Enerplus entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to combine in an approximately $11 billion stock and cash transaction. Each Enerplus share will be exchanged for 0.10125 shares of Chord stock plus $1.84 in cash, with Enerplus shareholders owning about 33% of the combined company (fully diluted) and Chord shareholders owning about 67%.

WilliamsMarston Acquires Chord Advisors

September 9, 2021

Accounting & Tax

WilliamsMarston LLC has acquired Chord Advisors, LLC to accelerate the firm's national expansion and broaden its accounting, tax and technical accounting advisory capabilities. Chord Advisors, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Newport Beach, California, brings more than 30 professionals and ~500 clients, expanding WilliamsMarston's headcount to over 100 and adding presence in southern California and Silicon Valley.

Universal Music Group Acquires Ingrooves Music Group

February 12, 2019

Media & Entertainment

Universal Music Group (UMG) agreed to acquire the remaining shares of Ingrooves Music Group, taking full ownership of the independent music distribution and marketing company while retaining Bob Roback as CEO. UMG said the deal will expand Ingrooves' geographic reach and service capabilities for independent artists and labels and will create a strategic partnership between UMG’s Caroline International and Ingrooves to enhance global distribution and marketing services.