Nothing Standard Launches Publishing, Label with UMPG, Virgin Music

London-based creative sync agency Nothing Standard has expanded into music publishing and recorded music, launching a publishing company in partnership with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and a record label distributed by Virgin Music Group. The announcement was made on 21 July 2026.

Publishing and Label Launch

Both Nothing Standard Publishing and Nothing Standard Recordings are built around the agency’s core sync expertise, drawing on its established track record and relationships across the global creative industries. The publishing arm operates through the UMPG collaboration, while the label’s releases are distributed via Virgin Music Group.

First Signing and Early Releases

The publishing division’s first signing is singer-songwriter Morgan Harper-Jones, whose debut album Up To The Glass showcased emotionally precise writing and understated performance. Her version of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” recorded with composer Tom Howe, features prominently in the 2026 film Reminders Of Him. Harper-Jones will release a new EP, Water Under The Bridge, on 29 July via co:brand.

Nothing Standard Recordings’ initial releases arrived in June, timed to sync placements in the Amazon Prime Video film Your Fault: London.

Leadership Perspectives

“Over the past five years, we’ve been trusted to represent exceptional catalogues and connect their music with audiences around the world,” said Nothing Standard founder and MD Tristan Wilson. “These new ventures allow us to bring that same philosophy to music we’re developing ourselves, working alongside artists and songwriters from the earliest stages of the creative process.”

“Nothing Standard are good people, doing brilliant work. They’re true collaborators, permanently curious and leading by example. After several writing camps and successful projects together, it’s only right we formalise our collaborative relationship,” said UMPG Head of A&R Pete Simmons.

“Nothing Standard have built an incredible reputation for themselves and I’m delighted about their new signing Morgan Harper-Jones. We love working with them, in particular, the sync writing retreats we have run together have been a huge success,” said UMPG Senior Vice President, Film & TV Europe Tom Foster.

“Nothing Standard is at the vanguard of companies whose mission is to expand opportunities for artists around the world. We are excited to welcome them into the Virgin Music Group family and look forward to working alongside them to launch and build their new label,” said Virgin Music Group’s President of Europe Nick Roden.

Nothing Standard operates as a global creative sync agency, representing independent labels including Sub Pop, Stones Throw, Moshi Moshi Records, co:brand, DAP, gamma., and Artist Theory, as well as management companies Various Artists Management, September, and Method Music. Its catalogue representation also includes Seeker Music Group, Bella Figura Music, and Rezonate. The company’s sister agency, From Nothing, represents award-winning composers for advertising and short-form media.