Universal Music Group Acquires Ingrooves Music Group

Universal Music Group Acquires 25.8% Stake in Chord Music Partners

February 21, 2024

Media & Entertainment

Universal Music Group (UMG) will acquire a 25.8% minority interest in Chord Music Partners for US$240 million, valuing Chord at US$1.85 billion. The transaction creates a long-term strategic partnership under which UMG will administer Chord's music publishing through UMPG and recorded music through Virgin Music Group; KKR will exit and the Dundee consortium will remain a majority owner.

Virgin Music Group Acquires Downtown Music Holdings

February 23, 2026

Media & Entertainment

Virgin Music Group (VMG) has completed its acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings, combining two major platforms that serve independent artists, labels and rights holders. The deal brings Downtown's distribution, publishing and artist/label services into VMG's global platform and names Pieter van Rijn as VMG Chief Operating Officer to lead integration and technology initiatives.

Brixey & Meyer Capital Acquires Universal Distribution Group (UDG)

June 13, 2025

Automotive

Brixey & Meyer Capital (BMC) has acquired Universal Distribution Group (UDG), a Charlotte-based provider of aftermarket automotive shop equipment, installation, and field service. The deal is an add-on to BMC's automotive shop equipment platform—UDG's founder Josh Lyerly retains a stake and will remain in a leadership role—expanding the platform's geographic coverage and heavy-duty/collision repair capabilities across the Southeast.

MSQ Acquires United Digital Group (UDG)

November 14, 2024

Marketing & Advertising

MSQ has acquired United Digital Group (UDG), a €40m-revenue, 350-strong German digital customer experience agency, to build a pan‑European digital customer experience and tech powerhouse. The deal, which adds UDG's design, engineering and technical delivery capabilities to MSQ's global network, is part of MSQ's PE-backed growth strategy supported by One Equity Partners and LDC; UDG was previously part of PIA Group (owned by Equistone).

Sony Music Publishing Acquires Hipgnosis Songs Group

June 9, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Sony Music Publishing has acquired Hipgnosis Songs Group (the former Big Deal Music Group), including its publishing-administration business and roughly 4,400 songs/copyright interests, from Recognition Music Group. Under the deal, Sony will own and administer the Hipgnosis Songs Group catalog and serve as full-service publisher for its roster, while Recognition Music Group retains its broader catalogue and investment business.

Create Music Group Acquires !K7 Music

April 14, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Los Angeles-based Create Music Group (CMG) has acquired Berlin-based independent label and publisher !K7 Music, the label founded by the late Horst Weidenmüller and known for the DJ-Kicks series. CMG said it will preserve !K7’s independent ethos while leveraging its global infrastructure to expand artist services, distribution and catalog monetization.