Universal Music Group (UMG) has become the first client of Connex, a new platform designed to streamline the management of music credits and audio files for creators. Officially launched on May 1, the platform has been in development for four years, with consultation from music professionals and involvement from STAGE, a company known for music rights and royalties management systems like Session Studio and RDx.
Connex connects music creators with their preferred tools, as well as labels, distributors, and publishers. This integration aims to enhance collaboration and transparency, enabling better management of credits and audio files. “As a creator, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges in ensuring everyone gets the recognition and fair compensation they deserve,” said ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. “Connex is a crucial step towards a future where technology empowers transparency and collaboration, enabling us to build a more equitable and sustainable music industry for all.”
The platform adopts the DDEX global standard RIN message (Recording Information Notification), a digital language for passing credits through the music ecosystem. Kim Beauchamp, EVP at UMG and DDEX chair, explained the need for Connex to bridge the gap between the existing standard and the reality of how labels receive credits. “Connex has been built to make the transmission of credits from the studio to the label as easy, robust, and accurate as possible,” said Beauchamp.
Connex addresses the industry’s ongoing struggles with credit management as production processes grow more complex. David Campbell, Managing Director of Connex, called the platform a “real step forward” in simplifying the management of creator credits and fostering collaboration across the industry. “UMG joining us as our founding customer is testimony to Connex’s capabilities and further supports our mission to solve the industry’s complex data challenges,” Campbell added.
The platform integrates with existing creator tools such as Session Studio, VevaSound, and MusicTeam, allowing music creators to connect directly with labels and publishers. It also includes sample detection technology to identify clearance issues early in the production process. Connex offers both a shared SaaS version for independent labels and a dedicated enterprise version with private infrastructure for larger companies like UMG.
UMG’s adoption of Connex aligns with its ongoing commitment to protecting creators’ interests. Earlier this year, UMG adopted the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) system to improve creator identification, and in collaboration with Roland, they published the Principles for Music Creation with AI, advocating for the responsible use of AI in music creation.
