November 11, 2009

By By Antony Bruno, Denver

Three Universal Music Group labels today launched new Web portals designed to provide extended digital distribution and marketing support for unsigned artists.

The newly launched sites are powered by TuneCore's technology under a deal between the company and UMG announced back in July. The agreement allows UMG to resell TuneCore's digital distribution services to unsigned artists, as well as offer them additional marketing and production support, in order to let the label monitor their performance more closely with the intent of signing acts that show promise.

Universal Motown Republic Group launched two sites under the initiative: unimodigitaldistribution.com and republicdd.com. Island Def Jam Music Group unveiled idjfirstlook.com, while Interscope/Geffen/A&M launched interscopedigitaldistribution.com.

TuneCore's system places music on such digital retail stores as iTunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody, eMusic, Napster and others.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!