UMG just showed a whole lotta love for Jason Flom’s Lava Records.

Doug Morris’ dream team just added the well-traveled exec’s label to Monte Lipman’s Universal Republic for promotion, marketing, sales and distribution.

We told you about this at the end of last year, but now it’s official.

Calling it “a move which underscores their shared commitment to expanding the marketplace for new music,” the strategic partnership “will further bolster Universal Republic’s strength in the marketplace and increase its investment in the artists and repertoire area.”

At least someone’s investing in something other than tickets to the D.C. inaugural.

Said Lipman: “Our partnership with Lava is testament to the commitment we have for discovering and nurturing new artists and their music. And the chance to work with Jason is a wonderful opportunity because he shares our passion for this process. His fierce competitiveness and remarkable achievements in launching Lava, define creative leadership at its very best. Over the last decade, Jason has been responsible for successfully developing a diverse roster of artists, and I know he will continue the creative process that originally made Lava such a powerhouse. More importantly, I’m just glad I don’t have to compete against him anymore.”

And he can always count on Flom’s support if he ever gets busted for pot.

Added Flom: “I’m delighted to be moving into the next phase of my career and doing it alongside Doug Morris, Mel Lewinter, Monte, Avery Lipman and the entire Universal Republic team. What attracted me most to Universal Republic was Monte’s approach to the creative process, and the energy and passion of his team. Despite the challenges of the music business today, our partnership with Monte and his team will assure the strongest possible future for our artists.”

Flom most recently served as Chairman/CEO of Capitol Music Group, where he oversaw the breakthroughs of Katy Perry, KT Tunstall, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 30 Seconds to Mars and Saving Abel.

Flom’s now-legendary career began in 1979, when, as a field merchandiser, he hung posters in record shops. He moved on to a post as an A&R representative, signing artists including Twisted Sister, White Lion, Skid Row and Tori Amos, among others.

In the early ‘90s, Mr. Flom headed the A&R department at Atlantic, overseeing a team that broke Jewel, Hootie & the Blowfish, Stone Temple Pilots and Collective Soul, before rising to Atlantic Records Group Chairman/CEO.

During this time, he founded Lava Records, whose roster included Kid Rock, The Corrs, matchbox twenty, Uncle Kracker, Simple Plan, Edwin McCain, Sugar Ray and Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Flom is equally known for contributing his time and energy to various charitable organizations. He serves as a board member for Drug Policy Alliance (a division of George Soros’ Open Society Institute), the Innocence Project, Families Against Mandatory Minimums (F.A.M.M.), and the Legal Action Center, which has worked to end discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS and/or histories of addiction.

Flom has worked in raising awareness and funds for various medical research organizations, including The T.J. Martell Foundation, which honored him with its Humanitarian Award in 2005 and City of Hope, which presented him with the Ambassador Award in 2008. Jason was also named the UJA Federation’s first “Music Visionary of the Year” and was awarded the “Torch of Liberty” by the American Civil Liberties Union.