Universal set to paint Motown red with 50th anniversary campaign.

A year-long campaign to mark Motown's 50th birthday is planned to include "huge amount" of catalogue activity

Universal is plotting one of its most extensive catalogue projects yet as it prepares to roll out a year-long campaign to mark Motown's 50th birthday.

The major is working in conjunction with EMI Music Publishing, which owns the Jobete catalogue of Motown songs, for the golden anniversary celebrations, which will begin with a new compilation release in December.

Universal Music head of catalogue Daryl Easlea says the campaign, going under the title Motown 50 - Today, Tomorrow, Forever..., picks up on the activity Universal undertook nearly five years ago for the 45th anniversary.

"We had a huge amount of success for Motown 45 in the UK four-and-a- half years ago, where we celebrated the 45th anniversary and put out some limited-edition vinyl singles. We had a poll of favourite tracks and it was quite organic how it happened," he says.

"The 50th is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the label and we're at a great crossroads at the moment as we've got the original fanbase - and the UK has that indelible relationship with Motown, which is pretty unique in the world - but we're also looking at new fans because it's so important that Motown is kept alive."

EMI Music Publishing UK president Guy Moot says, from his company's perspective, it is important to make the anniversary really special and work in a co-ordinated way.