With physical CD sales declining, Universal Music Group (UMG) has finalized a digital distribution deal with INgrooves.  INgrooves, the San Francisco start-up, was founded in 2002 as a digital music distribution, marketing and promotional company for independent artists.  INgrooves services include digital retail sales, marketing, sales reporting, film and video distribution, and mobile.

In the initial announcement made in March, UMG President and CEO, Jim Urie, said, "Universal is committed to exploring new ways to expand the availability of our artists music online, while offering our partner labels the widest array of choices possible in how and where they make their music available." 

The strategic alliance would give UMG access to INgrooves' digital distribution platform for its artists.  

INgrooves' current roster of artists include an eclectic array of genres.  Most recently INgrooves was responsible for landing the #1 country album in the country, with Dolly Parton's "Backwoods Barbie."  INgrooves served as Dolly Parton's exclusive digital distributor.  

INgrooves' clients include, ESL Music, VP Records, Chocolate Industries, A2M Distribution, Stones Throw Records, Hitchhike Records, bluhammock music, Distinctive Records and artists such as Dolly Parton, Tila Tequila, The Cool Kids, Killer Mike, Prodigy (Mobb Deep), Ice T, and many others.