UMG gets Sinatra's Reprise catalog

IT WAS A VERY GOOD DEAL: In a major coup, UMG has licensed global catalog rights to Frank Sinatra's Reprise recordings from Frank Sinatra Enterprises, bringing together Ol’ Blue Eyes’ 1950s work on Capitol and his ’60s records on his own label. Thus, the multi-year deal sets up unprecedented opportunities for new releases approaching Sinatra’s hundredth birthday in 2015, while expanding the relationship between FSE and UMG, which snagged the international rights to the Reprise catalog in 2009. Sony Music retains the rights to Sinatra’s earliest solo recordings, which were issued on Columbia. “We are honored to be selected to build on our success working with FSE and the Sinatra family with exciting and innovative products marking the centennial celebration under a new 'Signature Sinatra' imprint worthy of his rich legacy,” said UMG ruler Lucian Grainge, just after hoisting a martini with International chief Max Hole. (10/29a)